What belt size should you choose? [Practical Guide]

Are you looking to buy a new belt and wondering how to find the right size for you? Do you need a simple, reliable, and quick measuring technique that works for both women and men?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I understand how important it is to know your size for every type of clothing or accessory.

Without this, it often happens that we buy a product that doesn’t fit us, isn’t comfortable, and ends up needing to be exchanged or resold. That’s why today, I’m providing you with a practical guide to learn how to measure your belt size. It’s for everyone and can be applied to all types of belts.

To choose the perfect belt size, you can measure your waist directly using a measuring tape, threading it through the belt loops of a comfortable pair of pants. Another option is to measure an old belt from the buckle to the hole you typically use. Lastly, we also recommend considering the thickness of the belt and the material it’s made from, as these should match your style and body shape.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to know if a belt fits you,
• How to take your measurements to find your accessory size,
• A simple technique to determine it using an old belt,
• How to choose a belt that suits your body type,
• Other essential factors to consider when selecting one: type of buckle, material, style, and more…

The Belt: A Simple Style Element or an Essential Accessory?

Depending on your preferences and body shape, there are several reasons why you might choose to wear a belt. Let's explore this topic a bit more in the following lines.

A trendy and chic detail

Worn over a dress, a belt cinches in your waist, helping to accentuate your figure and hint at your feminine curves. It enhances a plain outfit and adds a touch of sophistication. This accessory allows you to express your style and shows how much you care about your appearance.

👉 Are you wondering which belt to wear with a long dress to elevate your look? Check out our article on this topic!

However, it's not always necessary for your clothes to stay in place. In this case, its role is mostly aesthetic, and you might consider choosing a size that is slightly larger than the perfect fit. The key is to focus on the visual appeal of your outfit.

The belt, a highly functional accessory

Your pants slipping down your hips? Need to secure a dress or coat? If so, your belt isn’t just for show: it’s actually very practical. It allows you to feel comfortable in your clothes and move freely.

In situations like this, it's crucial to choose the right size that fits you, so that your belt serves its purpose effectively. In the following paragraphs, I'll share how to go about it.

How to Know if Your Belt is the Right Size?

To choose the right accessory, it's important to know how to identify the perfect belt. It's common to have a belt for many years, but as our bodies change over time, it may no longer fit us well.

Here are some signs that indicate it might be time to replace your belt:

• When you put it on, you need to suck in your stomach to fasten it.
• You can only buckle it at the first or last hole.
• Throughout the day, you often feel your belt, and it can be uncomfortable or even painful.
• By the end of the day, it leaves marks on your skin that take a while to fade.

👉 If any of these statements resonate with you, it might be time to level up!

3 Simple and Effective Methods to Find Your Belt Size

Let's get straight to the point: in the following sections, I'll share three reliable techniques to accurately determine your belt size.

👉 There are charts available that help you determine your belt size based on your pant size. However, I would advise against using this method, as sizes can vary significantly between brands, countries, and of course, whether you're shopping for men's or women's clothing. Therefore, the results may not be very reliable.

By measuring your waist circumference directly

This technique allows you to take your measurements accurately, making it easy to choose a belt that fits you perfectly. To do this, all you need is:

• d’a pair of pants that fits you well (that doesn't drop down) and has belt loops,
• and a measuring tape.

From there, pass your measuring tape through the belt loops of your pants. Take the measurements between inhaling and exhaling, when your stomach is moderately full.

Your belt size corresponds to the next ten-centimetre increment above your measurement: for example, if you've measured 87 centimetres, you'll need a belt that's 90 centimetres.

📏 Don’t have a flexible sewing tape measure? No worries! You can use a piece of string or ribbon instead. When taking your measurements, you can mark it with a pen to help you out. After that, just lay it flat and measure the length to get the result you’re looking for!

Measuring from a Belt You Already Have

Do you have one or more belts that fit you well, but you can't remember their size? You can easily find out by measuring them. To do this, start from the buckle and measure to the hole you use most often, whether it's the first or the last one. The length you get will give you your belt size.

When you buy your new belt, don't worry if it seems longer or shorter than your old one: the size of a belt is measured from the end of the buckle to the middle hole, with the holes always in odd numbers. If you fastened your old belt on the last hole, the new one should be bigger.

👉 To help you better understand these two simple techniques, I recommend watching this tutorial video, which is suitable for both men and women:

By Asking a Seamstress or Salesperson Directly

If you visit a specialty store, the staff are usually well-trained and capable of taking your measurements accurately. Don’t hesitate to ask for their help; you might also receive some valuable style advice.

👉 If you’ve already measured your belt size using either of the two techniques mentioned above, you can simply ask them to confirm.

Other Essential Criteria for Choosing the Right Belt

When buying a new belt, size is obviously the most important factor to consider. However, there are other details that can affect how your belt matches with your wardrobe and enhances your look. I’ll share more about this in the following lines.

Choose a closure that’s easy to use and suits your style

If you buy your belt from a specialty store, you'll likely have a wide selection of buckle styles to choose from. The most classic one is called the prong buckle: it's a basic buckle with a metal piece that fits into a hole to keep the belt in place. This style is suitable for all outfits and is generally the most affordable option.

If you're looking for a belt that fits well, you might want to consider a double prong buckle: it features two parallel rows of holes that ensure a secure hold.

If you’re a woman looking for a western-inspired belt to achieve a romantic bohemian style, the flat buckle is just what you need.

There are many other variations, such as:

• the reversible buckle belt, which can be worn on both sides,
• the clip belt,
• the toothed belt,
• or the automatic buckle that attaches quickly.

Do give them a try to find the one that suits you best and that you find the most convenient to put on and take off.

Choose a Belt Width That Suits Your Body Shape

The length of your belt isn't the only measurement to consider: depending on its thickness, it can give a different style to your outfit.

If you’re a petite woman looking for a belt for your pants, I recommend keeping the thickness to no more than 2.5 centimeters. However, if it's a belt to wear over a dress to enhance your style, you can opt for a wider belt, especially if you have curvy shapes.

If you are an average-sized man (or a slightly taller woman), you can choose a belt that is between 3 and 4 centimeters thick. This is especially the ideal size for wearing with a suit.

Choose a Solid and Aesthetic Material

Lastly, here are some tips on how to choose the material for your belt:

🔸 Leather belts are the most common choice. There's something known as "full-grain leather", which is perfect if you're looking for a sturdy and stylish belt. It’s a bit pricier, but it lasts longer, making it worth the investment.

🔸 Some belts are made of fabric or rope: they add a more relaxed vibe to your outfit and are perfect for a casual style.

🔸 Finally, there are now many synthetic leather belts: depending on the quality, they can be either quite fragile or very durable. To get a faux leather belt that lasts, it's important to invest a bit more. These belts also have the advantage of being suitable for those who follow a vegan lifestyle.

👉 When it comes to colours, black is still the most timeless choice. However, if you're a woman with a bohemian chic style, natural brown leather would be ideal. In any case, don't forget to match your belt with another element of your outfit: shoes, bag, etc.

I hope I’ve helped you choose a belt that suits your style and that you can wear for a long time!

Are you a woman looking for unique, affordable, and stylish clothing? Check out our bohemian fashion boutique! You'll find a wide range of dresses, skirts, blouses, and tunics there!

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