A belt keeps your pants from falling, simple. That’s exactly the type of thinking that can ruin your entire outfit. A belt is more than an accessory that keeps your pants up. If it were, men would have simply stuck with using ropes to hold their pants! If you’ve never given serious thoughts to your belt before, this is your wakeup call – pay attention to your belt. It can make all the difference in your overall outfit. A good-quality belt can be the main attraction that brings your outfit nicely together. But beyond choose a good belt, how do you know the measurements to look out for? Read on to find out how to measure belt size. What’s Your Belt Size? “Dress up in a clean shirt and pair of pants, and reach for the next available belt.” That’s the worst piece of fashion advice. It is wrong on so many levels, but let’s not split hairs on all of that. The point is the next available belt might not be the best fitting one for you. Here’s a simple question that many guys might find difficult to answer: do you know your belt size? Don’t fret if you don’t. Many guys are in the same shoe. Don’t believe me? Try and find out Google’s monthly stats on the number of searches for “how to measure belt size,” and you’ll be taken aback. A lot of men don’t seem to know belt measurements, nor have the slightest clue on how men’s belts are sized. Figuring out how a belt should fit might still pose a bit of a challenge for some other men who may have already known their belt size. But all of the confusion will start to go away when you invest a little extra time to learn about men’s fashion. Thankfully, there’s nothing complicated about fashion in men’s world. You might be tempted to ask: “But why is belt size so important? Can I just use any belt? I mean, these things have several holes, and I can even make extra ones if it doesn’t fit.” Hello! That’s the “next available” thinking right there! The problem with this type of thinking is that you are settling for a belt instead of choosing the right type of belt. Consider this: would you rather pick the right size of pants or settle for the next available pant? Although you can fold the legs of a pair of oversized pants, they don’t fit and make you look, well, awkward! That’s exactly how settling for a belt makes you look – awkward (as far as fashion is concerned).
Here’s something else that many guys get wrong. They buy belts based on the size of their pant waist. That’ a huge mistake! Your pant size is not the same as your belt size. So, let’s get back to the question and find a good answer to it, because knowing your belt size gives you the confidence of buying belts without worrying about whether they will fit correctly, regardless of whether you are ordering online or buying from a brick and mortar store. Available Belt Sizes for Men
Manufacturers don’t just produce belts with arbitrary measurements. These things follow standard measurements for uniformity and also to make it easier for anyone to buy them without guesswork. Here’s a chart of how belt sizes work:
Belt Size Waist Measurement
Small (S) 26 – 30 inches
Medium (M) 32 – 42 inches
Large (L) 46 – 50 inches
Extra Large (XL) 52 – 58 inches
Extra-Extra-Large (XXL) 60 inches +
These standard measurements are designed to suit different body types. So, go ahead and measure your waist or your pant waist. That should give you an idea of what standard belt size to choose. But there’s more to men’s belt sizing than mere waist measurements. So, even if you’ve measured your waist, don’t buy a belt just yet. I’m sure you have the patience to finish reading this article before you place your order! Parts of a Belt
Oh, come on! Everyone knows what a belt is. True. But it might surprise you that not everyone knows what a prong is. Just so we are on the same page throughout this discussion, here’s a brief description of the basic parts of a standard men’s belt.
Strap: the longest part of the belt. That’s the part that goes around your waist Buckle: the metal end at one end of the belt – the head, if you will Frame: the buckle consists of a frame through which the belt goes. It keeps the belt in place Prong: the short metal projection located in the middle of the buckle and which goes through one of the punch holes (ideally, the middle hole) Punch hole: the holes on the belt where the prong goes through. Usually, there are five holes on a standard belt. Some belts have more holes Belt loop: the loop just before the prong. It holds the strap securely as it passes through the frame and prong End tip: the other end of the belt
Now that we have this out of the way, it is easy to understand the terms I’ll use while sharing the tips on how to measure a belt. 5 Tips on How to Measure Belt Size
You don’t have to be a genius to find the proper belt size that fits. Just about anyone can do it following a few correct instructions. And without further ado, here are tips to finding the right belt size for you. Tip 1: Belt Size Formula
Belt measurements for men are not exact. Rephrase. Men have vanity sizes, too! That means some ready-to-wear clothing and pieces of items are labeled with sizes smaller than the actual measurements indicated on them. Please, don’t ask me why this is so! Belt measurements are generally indicated in inches (as we’ve earlier seen in the available belt sizes). A neat trick to know your belt size is to add two inches to your pant waist size. For example, if you wear a size 34-inch waist pant, your ideal belt size is 36 inches. Putting this in perspective, here’s a simple chart for the belt size formula.
Pant waist size 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Ideal belt size 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
And the list goes on. However, if you have an odd-number pant waist size, your ideal belt size is three inches larger than your waist size. So, a 33-inch pant waist size means your belt size should be 36 inches. A 35-inch pant waist size equals a 38 inches belt size, and so on. Why does this method work? Simple! Unlike a pant that simply goes around your waist, your belt does more than that. It goes around your waist, boxers, shirt, and pants. All those extra layers increase the actual inches for a belt to fit properly. Although belts have their sizes stamped somewhere along the strap, it can be misleading if you don’t understand these basics. Tip 2: Measuring From the Buckle’s Center to the Middle Hole
This actually sounds more complicated than it is in reality. If you already own a belt, as you should, you can use it to know your exact belt measurement if you don’t think the previous formula will work for you. Here’s how. Measure one of the belts you already own. Just make sure you choose the one that fits you perfectly before taking the following two-step measurement.
Start at the buckle and measure to the punch hole in the middle of the strap Size that measurement up to the nearest size
Note that whether your belt comes with the standard five punch holes or more holes, the measurement should always terminate at the middle hole. For example, when you measure a 36-inch belt, it should measure a total of 36 inches from the base of the prong in the buckle’s center to the middle punch hole. The fastest way to get a wrong measurement is to measure a belt from the top of the buckle to the tip of the belt. I’m pretty sure you can now appreciate why we went through the basic parts of a belt earlier. It’s a lot easier to understand these measurements if you learn the terms. Tip 3: Measuring Your Waist
Belt sizes are going to mean little or nothing to you if you don’t know the measurement of your waistline. Measuring your waist is as easy as measuring belt sizes. Here’s how you can measure your waist and find the appropriate belt size in three easy steps: Step 1: Decide where your belt will rest on your waist as that will impact the overall fit of the belt. This is a matter of personal preference, so it is completely up to you. Measure your natural waistline (close to the belly button) if you plan on wearing your belt around your waist. On the other hand, measure the fuller part of your hip (not the fullest part) if you intend to wear your belt around your hips. Step 2: Add two inches to your waist measurement. Step 3: Find the appropriate belt size in the belt size chart and buy a design that suits you. Tip 4: Belt Aesthetics
Here’s something every man should know, but somehow, some tend to forget. Your pants need to fit properly. It doesn’t matter whether you plan on using suspenders or a belt; if your pants don’t fit, a belt will only make it look very odd because it would be acting as a rope. And by the way, if you are new to suspenders, check out this post to learn how to avoid some common men’s fashion mistakes, especially with suspenders. Now back to belts.
A belt is a practical addition – true. But it is also a fashion accessory, meaning it needs to accentuate your already-fashionable outfit. Belts don’t make magic happen – they don’t make your pants fit. Instead, they make the space between your upper and lower halves stand out. Guess what you need if your pants are falling off. Not a belt; you need a good tailor! Note that the middle punch hole (usually the third in most standard belts) is the most appropriate place to fit your belt since it allows for more flexibility. With the prong in the middle hole, the rest of the strap will fit nicely around your waist without appearing as if you are tying up your pants with a rope. Tip 5: The Perfect Finish
You may have the right belt size, but if you wear it wrongly, it would still look as if you are using a borrowed and oversized belt. Once you’ve correctly taken your measurement and bought a belt of the right size, the next logical step is to wear it. That’s the easiest part – wearing it, that is. Finishing it can be a bit tricky. Here’s how to do that correctly, so you don’t defeat the purpose of measuring a belt in the first place.
Let the strap go round once and finish between your first and second pant loops. It should go past the first loop but not all the way to the second. Possible Challenges with Measuring from the Prong
Measuring from the base of a prong is all good and fine until you discover that the belt you bought doesn’t come with a prong! Belt buckles come in a variety of shapes and styles. The common ones include the classic frame, box frame, D-ring, O-ring, snap, and plate styles, with the classic frame style being the most popular and formal type. These buckle styles come with slightly different prong types – some visible and others completely absent. Wait, what? An absent prong? Yes. The D-ring and O-ring buckles usually don’t have prongs. Instead, the buckle comes as one or two rings through which the belt is threaded and fastened. They are usually for casual styles. Depending on the type of buckle, your belt might have one of the following forms of prong.
Hook: usually comes with plate buckles. The hook slips into the belt from the back of the buckle. Sliding hatch: typically, a metal hatch with a pet that presses and holds the belt in place. Tongue: this is the classic prong that slides into punch holes to keep the belt in place in standard belts.
Bottom line: all belts have buckles, whether they come with a prong or not. You can safely take an accurate measurement from the base of the buckle (not the tip) to the punch hole in the middle of the strap.
As a side note, try to keep your outfit as neat as possible by knowing what to wear to formal occasions and casual occasions. For example, you don’t want to wear a D-ring buckle style belt to a wedding or other formal occasions. A Few Brand Recommendations Good belts are not hard to find. There are a plethora of quality belts almost everywhere you look, both in physical stores and online. Ultimately, your budget will determine which type you buy. Thankfully, these accessories are not too expensive. Here are some top belt brands (in no particular order) for your consideration.
Amish Leather Works: Amish Leather Works is renowned for making handcrafted belts design to last a lifetime. Their durable and rugged belts come with exchangeable silver or gold buckle. This particular belt is an oil-tanned option with specially made scalloped tabs. Holtz Leather Company: Holtz manufactures some of the best full grain American leather belts. Their engraved belts tend to be more of dress belts, making them appropriate for professional or formal occasions. Burrow Leather: This company makes handcrafted belts from 100% full-grain leather. The longer you have this belt, the more you will love it because they are designed to age beautifully, thanks to the hand-dyeing method that uses a rich patina pattern. Hermann Oak Leather: This brand makes great-looking and durable casual belts from the hides of cows. Their belts are suitable for work pants and any pair of good jeans. Bama Belts and Leathers: This company uses high-quality cow leather to produce belts. All their belt are manufactured using a single piece of leather, thereby eliminating the need for additional materials such as glue, plastic, cardboard, and others. Check out this amazing belt from Bama.
Keep in mind that buying a belt from a reputable brand does not guarantee that the belt will fit. Your first and most important step in choosing the right belt is learning how to measure belt size. In Closing Phew! Whoever thought learning how to measure belt size would come with so many instructions! Thankfully, they are simple and easy to remember. You are sure to get the hang of it with just a little practice. And once you get it right the first few times, measuring a belt will become a walk in the park.
A belt keeps your pants from falling, simple. That’s exactly the type of thinking that can ruin your entire outfit. A belt is more than an accessory that keeps your pants up. If it were, men would have simply stuck with using ropes to hold their pants! If you’ve never given serious thoughts to your belt before, this is your wakeup call – pay attention to your belt. It can make all the difference in your overall outfit. A good-quality belt can be the main attraction that brings your outfit nicely together. But beyond choose a good belt, how do you know the measurements to look out for? Read on to find out how to measure belt size. What’s Your Belt Size? “Dress up in a clean shirt and pair of pants, and reach for the next available belt.” That’s the worst piece of fashion advice. It is wrong on so many levels, but let’s not split hairs on all of that. The point is the next available belt might not be the best fitting one for you. Here’s a simple question that many guys might find difficult to answer: do you know your belt size? Don’t fret if you don’t. Many guys are in the same shoe. Don’t believe me? Try and find out Google’s monthly stats on the number of searches for “how to measure belt size,” and you’ll be taken aback. A lot of men don’t seem to know belt measurements, nor have the slightest clue on how men’s belts are sized. Figuring out how a belt should fit might still pose a bit of a challenge for some other men who may have already known their belt size. But all of the confusion will start to go away when you invest a little extra time to learn about men’s fashion. Thankfully, there’s nothing complicated about fashion in men’s world. You might be tempted to ask: “But why is belt size so important? Can I just use any belt? I mean, these things have several holes, and I can even make extra ones if it doesn’t fit.” Hello! That’s the “next available” thinking right there! The problem with this type of thinking is that you are settling for a belt instead of choosing the right type of belt. Consider this: would you rather pick the right size of pants or settle for the next available pant? Although you can fold the legs of a pair of oversized pants, they don’t fit and make you look, well, awkward! That’s exactly how settling for a belt makes you look – awkward (as far as fashion is concerned).
Here’s something else that many guys get wrong. They buy belts based on the size of their pant waist. That’ a huge mistake! Your pant size is not the same as your belt size. So, let’s get back to the question and find a good answer to it, because knowing your belt size gives you the confidence of buying belts without worrying about whether they will fit correctly, regardless of whether you are ordering online or buying from a brick and mortar store. Available Belt Sizes for Men
Manufacturers don’t just produce belts with arbitrary measurements. These things follow standard measurements for uniformity and also to make it easier for anyone to buy them without guesswork. Here’s a chart of how belt sizes work:
Belt Size Waist Measurement
Small (S) 26 – 30 inches
Medium (M) 32 – 42 inches
Large (L) 46 – 50 inches
Extra Large (XL) 52 – 58 inches
Extra-Extra-Large (XXL) 60 inches +
These standard measurements are designed to suit different body types. So, go ahead and measure your waist or your pant waist. That should give you an idea of what standard belt size to choose. But there’s more to men’s belt sizing than mere waist measurements. So, even if you’ve measured your waist, don’t buy a belt just yet. I’m sure you have the patience to finish reading this article before you place your order! Parts of a Belt
Oh, come on! Everyone knows what a belt is. True. But it might surprise you that not everyone knows what a prong is. Just so we are on the same page throughout this discussion, here’s a brief description of the basic parts of a standard men’s belt.
Strap: the longest part of the belt. That’s the part that goes around your waist Buckle: the metal end at one end of the belt – the head, if you will Frame: the buckle consists of a frame through which the belt goes. It keeps the belt in place Prong: the short metal projection located in the middle of the buckle and which goes through one of the punch holes (ideally, the middle hole) Punch hole: the holes on the belt where the prong goes through. Usually, there are five holes on a standard belt. Some belts have more holes Belt loop: the loop just before the prong. It holds the strap securely as it passes through the frame and prong End tip: the other end of the belt
Now that we have this out of the way, it is easy to understand the terms I’ll use while sharing the tips on how to measure a belt. 5 Tips on How to Measure Belt Size
You don’t have to be a genius to find the proper belt size that fits. Just about anyone can do it following a few correct instructions. And without further ado, here are tips to finding the right belt size for you. Tip 1: Belt Size Formula
Belt measurements for men are not exact. Rephrase. Men have vanity sizes, too! That means some ready-to-wear clothing and pieces of items are labeled with sizes smaller than the actual measurements indicated on them. Please, don’t ask me why this is so! Belt measurements are generally indicated in inches (as we’ve earlier seen in the available belt sizes). A neat trick to know your belt size is to add two inches to your pant waist size. For example, if you wear a size 34-inch waist pant, your ideal belt size is 36 inches. Putting this in perspective, here’s a simple chart for the belt size formula.
Pant waist size 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Ideal belt size 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
And the list goes on. However, if you have an odd-number pant waist size, your ideal belt size is three inches larger than your waist size. So, a 33-inch pant waist size means your belt size should be 36 inches. A 35-inch pant waist size equals a 38 inches belt size, and so on. Why does this method work? Simple! Unlike a pant that simply goes around your waist, your belt does more than that. It goes around your waist, boxers, shirt, and pants. All those extra layers increase the actual inches for a belt to fit properly. Although belts have their sizes stamped somewhere along the strap, it can be misleading if you don’t understand these basics. Tip 2: Measuring From the Buckle’s Center to the Middle Hole
This actually sounds more complicated than it is in reality. If you already own a belt, as you should, you can use it to know your exact belt measurement if you don’t think the previous formula will work for you. Here’s how. Measure one of the belts you already own. Just make sure you choose the one that fits you perfectly before taking the following two-step measurement.
Start at the buckle and measure to the punch hole in the middle of the strap Size that measurement up to the nearest size
Note that whether your belt comes with the standard five punch holes or more holes, the measurement should always terminate at the middle hole. For example, when you measure a 36-inch belt, it should measure a total of 36 inches from the base of the prong in the buckle’s center to the middle punch hole. The fastest way to get a wrong measurement is to measure a belt from the top of the buckle to the tip of the belt. I’m pretty sure you can now appreciate why we went through the basic parts of a belt earlier. It’s a lot easier to understand these measurements if you learn the terms. Tip 3: Measuring Your Waist
Belt sizes are going to mean little or nothing to you if you don’t know the measurement of your waistline. Measuring your waist is as easy as measuring belt sizes. Here’s how you can measure your waist and find the appropriate belt size in three easy steps: Step 1: Decide where your belt will rest on your waist as that will impact the overall fit of the belt. This is a matter of personal preference, so it is completely up to you. Measure your natural waistline (close to the belly button) if you plan on wearing your belt around your waist. On the other hand, measure the fuller part of your hip (not the fullest part) if you intend to wear your belt around your hips. Step 2: Add two inches to your waist measurement. Step 3: Find the appropriate belt size in the belt size chart and buy a design that suits you. Tip 4: Belt Aesthetics
Here’s something every man should know, but somehow, some tend to forget. Your pants need to fit properly. It doesn’t matter whether you plan on using suspenders or a belt; if your pants don’t fit, a belt will only make it look very odd because it would be acting as a rope. And by the way, if you are new to suspenders, check out this post to learn how to avoid some common men’s fashion mistakes, especially with suspenders. Now back to belts.
A belt is a practical addition – true. But it is also a fashion accessory, meaning it needs to accentuate your already-fashionable outfit. Belts don’t make magic happen – they don’t make your pants fit. Instead, they make the space between your upper and lower halves stand out. Guess what you need if your pants are falling off. Not a belt; you need a good tailor! Note that the middle punch hole (usually the third in most standard belts) is the most appropriate place to fit your belt since it allows for more flexibility. With the prong in the middle hole, the rest of the strap will fit nicely around your waist without appearing as if you are tying up your pants with a rope. Tip 5: The Perfect Finish
You may have the right belt size, but if you wear it wrongly, it would still look as if you are using a borrowed and oversized belt. Once you’ve correctly taken your measurement and bought a belt of the right size, the next logical step is to wear it. That’s the easiest part – wearing it, that is. Finishing it can be a bit tricky. Here’s how to do that correctly, so you don’t defeat the purpose of measuring a belt in the first place.
Let the strap go round once and finish between your first and second pant loops. It should go past the first loop but not all the way to the second. Possible Challenges with Measuring from the Prong
Measuring from the base of a prong is all good and fine until you discover that the belt you bought doesn’t come with a prong! Belt buckles come in a variety of shapes and styles. The common ones include the classic frame, box frame, D-ring, O-ring, snap, and plate styles, with the classic frame style being the most popular and formal type. These buckle styles come with slightly different prong types – some visible and others completely absent. Wait, what? An absent prong? Yes. The D-ring and O-ring buckles usually don’t have prongs. Instead, the buckle comes as one or two rings through which the belt is threaded and fastened. They are usually for casual styles. Depending on the type of buckle, your belt might have one of the following forms of prong.
Hook: usually comes with plate buckles. The hook slips into the belt from the back of the buckle. Sliding hatch: typically, a metal hatch with a pet that presses and holds the belt in place. Tongue: this is the classic prong that slides into punch holes to keep the belt in place in standard belts.
Bottom line: all belts have buckles, whether they come with a prong or not. You can safely take an accurate measurement from the base of the buckle (not the tip) to the punch hole in the middle of the strap.
As a side note, try to keep your outfit as neat as possible by knowing what to wear to formal occasions and casual occasions. For example, you don’t want to wear a D-ring buckle style belt to a wedding or other formal occasions. A Few Brand Recommendations Good belts are not hard to find. There are a plethora of quality belts almost everywhere you look, both in physical stores and online. Ultimately, your budget will determine which type you buy. Thankfully, these accessories are not too expensive. Here are some top belt brands (in no particular order) for your consideration.
Amish Leather Works: Amish Leather Works is renowned for making handcrafted belts design to last a lifetime. Their durable and rugged belts come with exchangeable silver or gold buckle. This particular belt is an oil-tanned option with specially made scalloped tabs. Holtz Leather Company: Holtz manufactures some of the best full grain American leather belts. Their engraved belts tend to be more of dress belts, making them appropriate for professional or formal occasions. Burrow Leather: This company makes handcrafted belts from 100% full-grain leather. The longer you have this belt, the more you will love it because they are designed to age beautifully, thanks to the hand-dyeing method that uses a rich patina pattern. Hermann Oak Leather: This brand makes great-looking and durable casual belts from the hides of cows. Their belts are suitable for work pants and any pair of good jeans. Bama Belts and Leathers: This company uses high-quality cow leather to produce belts. All their belt are manufactured using a single piece of leather, thereby eliminating the need for additional materials such as glue, plastic, cardboard, and others. Check out this amazing belt from Bama.
Keep in mind that buying a belt from a reputable brand does not guarantee that the belt will fit. Your first and most important step in choosing the right belt is learning how to measure belt size. In Closing Phew! Whoever thought learning how to measure belt size would come with so many instructions! Thankfully, they are simple and easy to remember. You are sure to get the hang of it with just a little practice. And once you get it right the first few times, measuring a belt will become a walk in the park.
A belt keeps your pants from falling, simple.
That’s exactly the type of thinking that can ruin your entire outfit.
A belt is more than an accessory that keeps your pants up. If it were, men would have simply stuck with using ropes to hold their pants!
If you’ve never given serious thoughts to your belt before, this is your wakeup call – pay attention to your belt. It can make all the difference in your overall outfit. A good-quality belt can be the main attraction that brings your outfit nicely together.
But beyond choose a good belt, how do you know the measurements to look out for? Read on to find out how to measure belt size.
What’s Your Belt Size?
“Dress up in a clean shirt and pair of pants, and reach for the next available belt.” That’s the worst piece of fashion advice. It is wrong on so many levels, but let’s not split hairs on all of that. The point is the next available belt might not be the best fitting one for you.
Here’s a simple question that many guys might find difficult to answer: do you know your belt size? Don’t fret if you don’t. Many guys are in the same shoe. Don’t believe me? Try and find out Google’s monthly stats on the number of searches for “how to measure belt size,” and you’ll be taken aback.
A lot of men don’t seem to know belt measurements, nor have the slightest clue on how men’s belts are sized. Figuring out how a belt should fit might still pose a bit of a challenge for some other men who may have already known their belt size.
But all of the confusion will start to go away when you invest a little extra time to learn about men’s fashion. Thankfully, there’s nothing complicated about fashion in men’s world.
You might be tempted to ask: “But why is belt size so important? Can I just use any belt? I mean, these things have several holes, and I can even make extra ones if it doesn’t fit.” Hello! That’s the “next available” thinking right there!
The problem with this type of thinking is that you are settling for a belt instead of choosing the right type of belt. Consider this: would you rather pick the right size of pants or settle for the next available pant? Although you can fold the legs of a pair of oversized pants, they don’t fit and make you look, well, awkward!
That’s exactly how settling for a belt makes you look – awkward (as far as fashion is concerned).
Here’s something else that many guys get wrong. They buy belts based on the size of their pant waist. That’ a huge mistake! Your pant size is not the same as your belt size.
So, let’s get back to the question and find a good answer to it, because knowing your belt size gives you the confidence of buying belts without worrying about whether they will fit correctly, regardless of whether you are ordering online or buying from a brick and mortar store.
Available Belt Sizes for Men
Manufacturers don’t just produce belts with arbitrary measurements. These things follow standard measurements for uniformity and also to make it easier for anyone to buy them without guesswork.
Here’s a chart of how belt sizes work:
These standard measurements are designed to suit different body types. So, go ahead and measure your waist or your pant waist. That should give you an idea of what standard belt size to choose.
But there’s more to men’s belt sizing than mere waist measurements. So, even if you’ve measured your waist, don’t buy a belt just yet. I’m sure you have the patience to finish reading this article before you place your order!
Parts of a Belt
Oh, come on! Everyone knows what a belt is. True.
But it might surprise you that not everyone knows what a prong is. Just so we are on the same page throughout this discussion, here’s a brief description of the basic parts of a standard men’s belt.
- Strap: the longest part of the belt. That’s the part that goes around your waist
- Buckle: the metal end at one end of the belt – the head, if you will
- Frame: the buckle consists of a frame through which the belt goes. It keeps the belt in place
- Prong: the short metal projection located in the middle of the buckle and which goes through one of the punch holes (ideally, the middle hole)
- Punch hole: the holes on the belt where the prong goes through. Usually, there are five holes on a standard belt. Some belts have more holes
- Belt loop: the loop just before the prong. It holds the strap securely as it passes through the frame and prong
- End tip: the other end of the belt
Now that we have this out of the way, it is easy to understand the terms I’ll use while sharing the tips on how to measure a belt.
5 Tips on How to Measure Belt Size
You don’t have to be a genius to find the proper belt size that fits. Just about anyone can do it following a few correct instructions. And without further ado, here are tips to finding the right belt size for you.
Tip 1: Belt Size Formula
Belt measurements for men are not exact.
Rephrase.
Men have vanity sizes, too! That means some ready-to-wear clothing and pieces of items are labeled with sizes smaller than the actual measurements indicated on them. Please, don’t ask me why this is so!
Belt measurements are generally indicated in inches (as we’ve earlier seen in the available belt sizes). A neat trick to know your belt size is to add two inches to your pant waist size.
For example, if you wear a size 34-inch waist pant, your ideal belt size is 36 inches. Putting this in perspective, here’s a simple chart for the belt size formula.
And the list goes on.
However, if you have an odd-number pant waist size, your ideal belt size is three inches larger than your waist size. So, a 33-inch pant waist size means your belt size should be 36 inches. A 35-inch pant waist size equals a 38 inches belt size, and so on.
Why does this method work?
Simple!
Unlike a pant that simply goes around your waist, your belt does more than that. It goes around your waist, boxers, shirt, and pants. All those extra layers increase the actual inches for a belt to fit properly. Although belts have their sizes stamped somewhere along the strap, it can be misleading if you don’t understand these basics.
Tip 2: Measuring From the Buckle’s Center to the Middle Hole
This actually sounds more complicated than it is in reality. If you already own a belt, as you should, you can use it to know your exact belt measurement if you don’t think the previous formula will work for you.
Here’s how.
Measure one of the belts you already own. Just make sure you choose the one that fits you perfectly before taking the following two-step measurement.
- Start at the buckle and measure to the punch hole in the middle of the strap
- Size that measurement up to the nearest size
Note that whether your belt comes with the standard five punch holes or more holes, the measurement should always terminate at the middle hole.
For example, when you measure a 36-inch belt, it should measure a total of 36 inches from the base of the prong in the buckle’s center to the middle punch hole.
The fastest way to get a wrong measurement is to measure a belt from the top of the buckle to the tip of the belt.
I’m pretty sure you can now appreciate why we went through the basic parts of a belt earlier. It’s a lot easier to understand these measurements if you learn the terms.
Tip 3: Measuring Your Waist
Belt sizes are going to mean little or nothing to you if you don’t know the measurement of your waistline.
Measuring your waist is as easy as measuring belt sizes. Here’s how you can measure your waist and find the appropriate belt size in three easy steps:
Step 1: Decide where your belt will rest on your waist as that will impact the overall fit of the belt. This is a matter of personal preference, so it is completely up to you.
Measure your natural waistline (close to the belly button) if you plan on wearing your belt around your waist. On the other hand, measure the fuller part of your hip (not the fullest part) if you intend to wear your belt around your hips.
Step 2: Add two inches to your waist measurement.
Step 3: Find the appropriate belt size in the belt size chart and buy a design that suits you.
Tip 4: Belt Aesthetics
Here’s something every man should know, but somehow, some tend to forget. Your pants need to fit properly.
It doesn’t matter whether you plan on using suspenders or a belt; if your pants don’t fit, a belt will only make it look very odd because it would be acting as a rope.
And by the way, if you are new to suspenders, check out this post to learn how to avoid some common men’s fashion mistakes, especially with suspenders.
Now back to belts.
A belt is a practical addition – true. But it is also a fashion accessory, meaning it needs to accentuate your already-fashionable outfit. Belts don’t make magic happen – they don’t make your pants fit. Instead, they make the space between your upper and lower halves stand out.
Guess what you need if your pants are falling off. Not a belt; you need a good tailor!
Note that the middle punch hole (usually the third in most standard belts) is the most appropriate place to fit your belt since it allows for more flexibility. With the prong in the middle hole, the rest of the strap will fit nicely around your waist without appearing as if you are tying up your pants with a rope.
Tip 5: The Perfect Finish
You may have the right belt size, but if you wear it wrongly, it would still look as if you are using a borrowed and oversized belt.
Once you’ve correctly taken your measurement and bought a belt of the right size, the next logical step is to wear it. That’s the easiest part – wearing it, that is. Finishing it can be a bit tricky. Here’s how to do that correctly, so you don’t defeat the purpose of measuring a belt in the first place.
Let the strap go round once and finish between your first and second pant loops. It should go past the first loop but not all the way to the second.
Possible Challenges with Measuring from the Prong
Measuring from the base of a prong is all good and fine until you discover that the belt you bought doesn’t come with a prong!
Belt buckles come in a variety of shapes and styles. The common ones include the classic frame, box frame, D-ring, O-ring, snap, and plate styles, with the classic frame style being the most popular and formal type.
These buckle styles come with slightly different prong types – some visible and others completely absent.
Wait, what? An absent prong?
Yes. The D-ring and O-ring buckles usually don’t have prongs. Instead, the buckle comes as one or two rings through which the belt is threaded and fastened. They are usually for casual styles.
Depending on the type of buckle, your belt might have one of the following forms of prong.
- Hook: usually comes with plate buckles. The hook slips into the belt from the back of the buckle.
- Sliding hatch: typically, a metal hatch with a pet that presses and holds the belt in place.
- Tongue: this is the classic prong that slides into punch holes to keep the belt in place in standard belts.
Bottom line: all belts have buckles, whether they come with a prong or not. You can safely take an accurate measurement from the base of the buckle (not the tip) to the punch hole in the middle of the strap.
As a side note, try to keep your outfit as neat as possible by knowing what to wear to formal occasions and casual occasions. For example, you don’t want to wear a D-ring buckle style belt to a wedding or other formal occasions.
A Few Brand Recommendations
Good belts are not hard to find. There are a plethora of quality belts almost everywhere you look, both in physical stores and online. Ultimately, your budget will determine which type you buy. Thankfully, these accessories are not too expensive.
Here are some top belt brands (in no particular order) for your consideration.
- Amish Leather Works: Amish Leather Works is renowned for making handcrafted belts design to last a lifetime. Their durable and rugged belts come with exchangeable silver or gold buckle. This particular belt is an oil-tanned option with specially made scalloped tabs.
- Holtz Leather Company: Holtz manufactures some of the best full grain American leather belts. Their engraved belts tend to be more of dress belts, making them appropriate for professional or formal occasions.
- Burrow Leather: This company makes handcrafted belts from 100% full-grain leather. The longer you have this belt, the more you will love it because they are designed to age beautifully, thanks to the hand-dyeing method that uses a rich patina pattern.
- Hermann Oak Leather: This brand makes great-looking and durable casual belts from the hides of cows. Their belts are suitable for work pants and any pair of good jeans.
- Bama Belts and Leathers: This company uses high-quality cow leather to produce belts. All their belt are manufactured using a single piece of leather, thereby eliminating the need for additional materials such as glue, plastic, cardboard, and others. Check out this amazing belt from Bama.
Keep in mind that buying a belt from a reputable brand does not guarantee that the belt will fit. Your first and most important step in choosing the right belt is learning how to measure belt size.
In Closing
Phew!
Whoever thought learning how to measure belt size would come with so many instructions! Thankfully, they are simple and easy to remember.
You are sure to get the hang of it with just a little practice. And once you get it right the first few times, measuring a belt will become a walk in the park.
