How to Choose the Right Belt Size: A Practical Guide

Are you looking to purchase a new belt and wondering how to determine the right size for you? Are you in search of 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 essential 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 we then have to exchange or sell it. That’s why today, I’m offering you a practical guide on how to measure your belt size. This guide is for everyone and applies to all types of belts.

To choose the perfect belt size, you can measure your waist directly using a fabric measuring tape, sliding it through the loops of a pair of trousers that fit you well. Alternatively, you can measure an old belt from the buckle to the hole you typically use. Lastly, we also recommend paying attention to the thickness and material of the belt, which should match your style and body shape.

Would you like more details? Continue reading to find out:

• How to know if a belt fits you or not,
• How to measure yourself to find your accessory size,
• A simple technique to determine it using an old belt,
• How to choose a belt that suits your body shape,
• Other essential factors to consider when selecting one: type of buckle, material, style…

The belt: a simple style element or an essential accessory?

Depending on your preferences and body shape, there are various reasons that might lead you to wear a belt. Let's explore this topic in more detail in the following lines.

A Chic and Trendy Detail

Worn over a dress, a belt helps to accentuate your waist and subtly reveals your feminine curves. It enhances a plain outfit and adds sophistication. This accessory allows you to express your style and reflects the care you take in how you dress.

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

However, it isn't always necessary for your clothes to stay in place. In this case, its function is mainly aesthetic, and you can afford to choose a size slightly larger than the perfect fit. The key is to focus on the visual effect your outfit will have.

The belt, a very functional accessory

Is your trousers slipping down your hips? Do you need to fasten the closure of a dress or a coat? If so, your belt is not just for show: it is mainly very practical. It allows you to feel comfortable in your clothes and to move freely.

In this type of situation, it is essential to choose the right size for you, so that your belt can serve its purpose effectively. In the following paragraphs, I will explain how to go about it.

How to know if your belt is the right size?

To select an accessory with the right dimensions, it is essential to know how to recognise the perfect belt. It's quite common to own a belt for many years, only to find that our body has changed, making it no longer fit properly.

Here are some tips to help you determine if your belt needs replacing:

• When you put it on, you need to suck in your gut to fasten it.
• You only do it up at the first or last hole.
• Throughout the day, you often feel your belt, and it can become uncomfortable or even painful.
• By the end of the day, it leaves marks on your skin that are difficult to remove.

👉 If you recognise yourself in one or more of these statements, then it’s probably time to level up!

3 Simple and Effective Methods to Determine Your Belt Size

Let's get straight to the point: in the following lines, I will present three techniques for accurately and reliably determining your belt size.

👉 There are charts that allow you to determine your belt size based on the size of trousers you wear. However, I would advise against this method, as sizes can vary significantly depending on the brands, countries, and of course whether you are male or female. The results you obtain are therefore not very reliable.

By directly measuring your waist circumference

This technique allows you to take your measurements accurately, enabling you to select a belt that fits you perfectly. To do this, all you need is:

• a pair of trousers that fit you properly (that don't fall down) and have belt loops,
• a tape measure.

From there, thread your tape measure through the belt loops of your trousers. Take the measurements between inhalation and exhalation, when your stomach is moderately expanded.

Your belt size corresponds to the next highest ten from this measurement: for instance, if you measured 87 centimetres, you will need a 90 centimetre belt.

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

Taking Measurements Using a Belt You Own

You own one or more belts that fit you well, but can’t remember their size? You can easily determine it by measuring. To do this, start at the buckle and measure to the hole you use most often, even if it's the first or the last hole. The length you obtain will give you your belt size.

When you purchase your new belt, don't worry if it appears longer or shorter than your old one: the size of a belt is measured from the tip of the buckle to the middle hole, with the holes always being in odd numbers. If you fastened your old belt to the last hole, then the new one should indeed be larger.

👉 To help you better visualise these two simple techniques, I suggest watching this tutorial video, which applies to both men and women:

By asking a dressmaker or shop assistant directly

If you visit a specialist shop, the staff are usually trained and able to take your measurements accurately. Don't hesitate to ask them for assistance; you could also gain valuable style advice.

👉 If you have already measured your waist size using one of the two techniques above, you can simply ask them to confirm.

Other Essential Criteria for Choosing the Right Belt

When purchasing a new belt, the size is, of course, the most crucial factor to consider. However, there are other details that can affect how your belt will match your wardrobe and enhance your appearance. I'll elaborate on this in the following lines.

Choose an Easy-to-Fasten Loop in Your Style

If you purchase your belt from a specialised shop, you will likely have a choice of many buckle styles. The most classic is called the prong buckle: this is a basic buckle with a metal component that fits into a hole to secure the belt. It suits all styles and is generally the most affordable in terms of price.

If you are looking for a belt that offers excellent support, you might consider a double prong buckle: this features two rows of parallel holes, which ensure a secure fit.

If you're a woman looking for a western-inspired belt to complement a romantic bohemian style, the flat buckle is exactly 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 notched belt,
• or the automatic buckle that attaches quickly.

Feel free to try them out 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 are a petite woman looking for a belt for trousers, I recommend not exceeding 2.5 centimetres in width. If it’s a belt to wear with a dress to enhance your look, you can opt for a wider belt, especially if you have curvy proportions.

If you are an average-built man (or a slightly taller woman), you can choose a belt that is between 3 and 4 centimetres in thickness. This is particularly the ideal measurement for wearing with a suit.

Choose a solid and aesthetically pleasing material

Finally, here are a few tips for choosing the right material for your belt:

🔸 Leather belts are the most common type. There is what is known as “full grain leather”, which is perfect if you're looking for a sturdy and attractive belt. It is slightly more expensive, but it lasts longer, making it worth the investment.

🔸 Some belts are made of fabric or rope: they add a more relaxed touch to your outfit and are well-suited for a casual style.

🔸 Finally, there are now many synthetic leather belts: depending on the quality chosen, they can be fragile or very durable. To have a faux leather belt that lasts over time, it is necessary to invest a little. These belts also have the advantage of being suitable for those who follow a vegan lifestyle.

👉 When it comes to colours, black remains the most classic choice. However, if you are a woman with a boho-chic style, natural brown leather would be perfect. In any case, don’t forget to match your belt with another element of your outfit: shoes, bag, etc.

I hope I have helped you to choose a belt that suits your style and will last you a long time!

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Long Bohemian Dress