Hmmm….an age-old question…

Do men’s belts need to match their shoes?

Let’s take a poll.

What’s your opinion?

How many times over the years have you heard that you can’t wear a brown belt with black shoes or vice versa?

How many of you have done it anyway?

Here’s one way we’ll shape the beginning of this argument: what’s your style IQ?

Do you have a sense of style with the attire you wear or are you just free-wheeling it hoping someone won’t notice when you pull a fashion faux pas?

The General Rule of Thumb

A general rule of thumb is the more dressy the outfit, the more necessary it is for the shoes and the belt to be the same color. Style is often found in the smallest of detail, so when details match, it matters. Subconsciously, people notice a “pulled together” appearance. When they see that, what is often reflected is not only your attire, but a glimpse into your character, your style, who you may be, and this is ultimately the basis of a first impression.

We like to make sure that first impressions leave lasting impressions, so we’re going to offer our two cents on the matter and settle the complicated issue for once and for all.

Are you ready?

If you are wearing a suit, your belt and shoes should match in two ways. They should certainly match in color, but they should also match in the same finish and the texture. So, if there is shine in your shoes, make sure there is shine in your belt. If there is a certain leather finish to your shoes, make sure your belt has the same similar qualities. If you’re wearing dress shoes, you should also be wearing a dress belt. And for those of you out there who don’t know the difference between a dress belt and regular everyday belt (...it’s alright! We were all there once.), the buckle should be shinier and less thick.

The Importance of Matching

When you’re working to match your items to each other, it’s important to make sure you’ve got your colors just right.

We know. We know.

Browns should match other browns, right?

Doesn’t it seem so easy?

We wish.

Unfortunately, matching browns can be a tough game to win. To save yourself time (and a few headaches, the expenditure of gas miles, and the energy of multiple returns and exchanges) make certain you take the shoes with you when you go to buy the belt. It’s best if you buy them both at the same time, but one thing we are certain about: don’t try to do it from memory. (Trust us.) Thankfully, many dress belts are actually reversible, so if you have to, you at least have a few (...two) options to play with. Perhaps another pair of shoes will match the reverse of the belt.

The brown colors, if they don’t match perfectly, will need to be as close as they can be. Luckily, the pants will give you some sense of a cover up if the shade isn’t spot-on.

Now, for those of you out there who want to try and persuade us that a very, very, very, very dark brown will be equivalent to the deep dark color of a jet-black, we’re not impressed. This isn’t about trying to get away with something. We’re here to elevate your fashion sense and knowledge and do you a solid.

If at first glance they seem to match, then, sure...alright...you get a pass, but this isn’t the type of fashion sense we’re aiming for.

The Subtle Art of Coordination

Now, back to your style IQ. Do you think you have a high style IQ or could you care less? Are you hoping to improve on what you’ve got or do you feel comfortable staying with where you are at?

Ultimately, if you’re wearing dress shoes, you should be certain the dress belt will match, but, if you have an opportunity to wear casual shoes, the belt doesn’t necessarily have to match the shoes—instead, it needs to coordinate with the outfit as a whole.

Coordination is an art and depends on each individual’s style. Your way of coordination could look completely different from the way your father coordinates or your boss or your best friend. Coordination could look like any number of pairings and this is where your own style IQ comes into play. Are you someone who likes to play with style or do you prefer a more rigid go-to of standards? If your shoes are indeed casual, feel free to play with experimentation. The only rule we want to remind you of is to not wear a dress belt with casual shoes. The style will seem considerably “off.” Just don’t do it. Trust us.

Belts & Shoes

In most situations, belts and shoes should match, but take into account the certain attire pairings when it doesn’t matter so much. With dress shoes and a business outfit, do your best to have them match. If you’re living easy in jeans or chinos, you certainly have plenty of flexibility and can allow for your own sense of style and fashion to shine through. Say, for instance, you’re looking to rock a style that seems more casual and down to earth. If that’s the case, we give you permission (if it’s in your style sense) to try wearing a dark brown belt and matching that to a pair of shoes that may be only about a medium-hue of brown.

Conclusion

Some rules aren’t meant to be broken, and others, simply, are. Use the knowledge we’ve shared with you here and incorporate it into your own style and fashion sense you’ve got going on right now. With fashion, that’s one thing we love. It’s all about guidelines. With you in charge, though, ultimately, the sky is the limit. Take your pairings and see what feels right for you.

Hmmm….an age-old question…

Do men’s belts need to match their shoes?

Let’s take a poll.

What’s your opinion?

How many times over the years have you heard that you can’t wear a brown belt with black shoes or vice versa?

How many of you have done it anyway?

Here’s one way we’ll shape the beginning of this argument: what’s your style IQ?

Do you have a sense of style with the attire you wear or are you just free-wheeling it hoping someone won’t notice when you pull a fashion faux pas?

The General Rule of Thumb

A general rule of thumb is the more dressy the outfit, the more necessary it is for the shoes and the belt to be the same color. Style is often found in the smallest of detail, so when details match, it matters. Subconsciously, people notice a “pulled together” appearance. When they see that, what is often reflected is not only your attire, but a glimpse into your character, your style, who you may be, and this is ultimately the basis of a first impression.

We like to make sure that first impressions leave lasting impressions, so we’re going to offer our two cents on the matter and settle the complicated issue for once and for all.

Are you ready?

If you are wearing a suit, your belt and shoes should match in two ways. They should certainly match in color, but they should also match in the same finish and the texture. So, if there is shine in your shoes, make sure there is shine in your belt. If there is a certain leather finish to your shoes, make sure your belt has the same similar qualities. If you’re wearing dress shoes, you should also be wearing a dress belt. And for those of you out there who don’t know the difference between a dress belt and regular everyday belt (...it’s alright! We were all there once.), the buckle should be shinier and less thick.

The Importance of Matching

When you’re working to match your items to each other, it’s important to make sure you’ve got your colors just right.

We know. We know.

Browns should match other browns, right?

Doesn’t it seem so easy?

We wish.

Unfortunately, matching browns can be a tough game to win. To save yourself time (and a few headaches, the expenditure of gas miles, and the energy of multiple returns and exchanges) make certain you take the shoes with you when you go to buy the belt. It’s best if you buy them both at the same time, but one thing we are certain about: don’t try to do it from memory. (Trust us.) Thankfully, many dress belts are actually reversible, so if you have to, you at least have a few (...two) options to play with. Perhaps another pair of shoes will match the reverse of the belt.

The brown colors, if they don’t match perfectly, will need to be as close as they can be. Luckily, the pants will give you some sense of a cover up if the shade isn’t spot-on.

Now, for those of you out there who want to try and persuade us that a very, very, very, very dark brown will be equivalent to the deep dark color of a jet-black, we’re not impressed. This isn’t about trying to get away with something. We’re here to elevate your fashion sense and knowledge and do you a solid.

If at first glance they seem to match, then, sure...alright...you get a pass, but this isn’t the type of fashion sense we’re aiming for.

The Subtle Art of Coordination

Now, back to your style IQ. Do you think you have a high style IQ or could you care less? Are you hoping to improve on what you’ve got or do you feel comfortable staying with where you are at?

Ultimately, if you’re wearing dress shoes, you should be certain the dress belt will match, but, if you have an opportunity to wear casual shoes, the belt doesn’t necessarily have to match the shoes—instead, it needs to coordinate with the outfit as a whole.

Coordination is an art and depends on each individual’s style. Your way of coordination could look completely different from the way your father coordinates or your boss or your best friend. Coordination could look like any number of pairings and this is where your own style IQ comes into play. Are you someone who likes to play with style or do you prefer a more rigid go-to of standards? If your shoes are indeed casual, feel free to play with experimentation. The only rule we want to remind you of is to not wear a dress belt with casual shoes. The style will seem considerably “off.” Just don’t do it. Trust us.

Belts & Shoes

In most situations, belts and shoes should match, but take into account the certain attire pairings when it doesn’t matter so much. With dress shoes and a business outfit, do your best to have them match. If you’re living easy in jeans or chinos, you certainly have plenty of flexibility and can allow for your own sense of style and fashion to shine through. Say, for instance, you’re looking to rock a style that seems more casual and down to earth. If that’s the case, we give you permission (if it’s in your style sense) to try wearing a dark brown belt and matching that to a pair of shoes that may be only about a medium-hue of brown.

Conclusion

Some rules aren’t meant to be broken, and others, simply, are. Use the knowledge we’ve shared with you here and incorporate it into your own style and fashion sense you’ve got going on right now. With fashion, that’s one thing we love. It’s all about guidelines. With you in charge, though, ultimately, the sky is the limit. Take your pairings and see what feels right for you.