How To Match Your Belt With Your Shoes: A Guide For Men
In relation to fashion accessories and how to style an outfit, it seems relatively simple. Matching a belt with shoes will help make any outfit go from a rather uncoordinated look to a sharp option. For women, this may be the case. However, men's fashion can be a bit more complicated, and more thought is needed to pull this off successfully.
So, whether you're dressing to go to a formal occasion or even trying to make a good impression at work, coordinating these two accessories will be explored here to help you mix and match shoes and belts effortlessly.
Match the Color!
Rule #1 when it comes to matching your belt and your shoes is to align the color as closely as you can. If you have black shoes, you should always be sure that they are paired with the black belt, while brown shoes demand a brown belt if you are wearing something a bit more eccentric, such as embroidered cowboy boots from Ariat.com, it is well worth investing in a leather embroidered belt to set the look off. You don't need to obsess over any exact match, as having slightly different shades of black, brown, or even different patterns of embroidery will look fine.
Coordinate the Material and Finish
Once you have found a matching color, you need to focus on the material itself on both the belt and shoes. The textures should at least align. If your shoes are going to be polished, a shiny leather belt is the only look that will match. Try to envision pulling an outfit off which has a rugged textured belt with glossy shoes and you will get the idea. It simply disrupts the overall flow of the outfit and just looks odd.
Dress for the Occasion
You will need to consider the importance of matching your belt and your shoes based on where you are wearing them. In a formal setting, matching your belt to your shoes is a non-negotiable part of the dress code. If you're donning a suit and dress shoes, make sure that the belt perfectly complements the shoes with both its collar and finish. If you are going for a casual look, you have the freedom to experiment. For instance, canvas belts will pair well with casual sneakers and loafers, even if the materials don't match 100%. Just try to make sure the colors are at least similar.
Choose the Right Belt Buckle
Once you have all of this down, you need to look at the belt buckle. What does it look like, and is it passable with the look you are going for?
If you are going to a wedding or gala, opt for a sleek, minimalist buckle, usually in either silver or gold. Those who want to wear a more daring belt buckle can do so in a casual setting, and these will work well with most boots and sneakers.
Although initially, it may appear harder to find the right belt and shoe combination, by taking notes from this article, the next time you face this predicament, you will be able to nail it the first time.
