Dress belt width preferences?

[teddieriley]

Just picked up a Sutor belt on STP with a width of 1.5 inches, which I intended to use primarily with dress trousers. Kind of looks wide though. So I'm deciding whether to return it or not. What are your preferences for belt width for dress trousers? It's actually surprising the difference a 1/4" can make from making it look dressy to more casual.

 

[lee_44106]

I think 1.25" is maximum for a "dressy" belt. Usually they run between 1" and 1.25". I find the 1" too thin and 1.25" just right. 1.5" is too casual for my taste.

 

[caelte]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

I think 1.25" is maximum for a "dressy" belt. Usually they run between 1" and 1.25". I find the 1" too thin and 1.25" just right. 1.5" is too casual for my taste.
That's what I've noticed over the last two years with my clients. Many still prefer the one inch. The one and a quarter is running a strong second. One and a half is worn with jeans etc.

 

[andyw]

1.25" just the right presence.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by andyw

1.25" just the right presence.

I think you're right. The belt actually measures 1 3/8 inches, but it does look much wider than my 1 1/4". Belts just might go back.

 

[nmoraitis]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

I think 1.25" is maximum for a "dressy" belt. Usually they run between 1" and 1.25". I find the 1" too thin and 1.25" just right. 1.5" is too casual for my taste.

+1 Although, I don't personally find the 1" too thin.

 

[philosophe]

I agree that 1.25" looks good with just all dress pants. I have one or two 1" belts that look nice with my skinnier pants. 1.5" says jeans or other casual pants to me.

 

[jeff in vancouver]

+2

but I say 1.25" is about perfect, any less is too little, and much more it too wide.

 

[constant struggle]

i wish someone would make a belt inbetween 1 and 1.25, a 1.125 if i must say, i think that would be perfect

 

[NoVaguy]

the dress belt i'm currently wearing (an 5-7 year old RL chaps belt that's held up surprisingly well) measures at 1 1/8, so you can probably find something that splits the difference.

 

[Grayland]

1.25 is my preference overall. I have a 1-inch dress belt I like, though. I think it depends on the definition of "dress". With a suit, I have no problem with the 1-inch belt. With a sportcoat and odd trousers, I think 1.25 is best. Thicker materials probably need a thicker belt. A tweed suit, for instance, might look out of balance with a 1-inch belt.

 

[jeff in vancouver]

I think your body type plays a role too. I am 6' 195lbs and a drop 8. I think a 1" belt looks silly on me as I am a bigger guy.

 

[Antonio Centeno]

1.25 is my choice!

 

[JLibourel]

Anyone else here old enough to remember the fashion trend in the late '50s and early '60s for extremely narrow belts? As I remember the damn things were only about a half-inch wide. Never like them.

For many years, one-inch belts seemed to be the norm. I never thought they looked silly one me, even though I'm a good deal bigger than jeff in vancouver.

I like the 1 1/4-inch width the best. It has the added virtue, if you're into packing a sidearm, that you can support a pretty adequate gun with good comfort on a sturdy 1 1/4-inch belt.

Anything wider than 1 1/4 is pretty much for jeans, cargoes and such. Most dress slacks and even a lot of cheap khakis don't have belt loops that will accommodate belts much wider than 1 1/4 inches.

 

[JimInSoCalif]

Hi JL - I remember those narrow belts from the 50's - I probably wore the silly things with blue suede shoes. Got rid of them and switched to loafers, grey trousers, and a sorta tweed jacket with a knit tie - think I was trying to pattern my dress after Jack Web in Dragnet.

After I got out of the Army, I found some men's stores in Westwood, Calif. that sold what we now call Trad and have never changed. The only errors I have made since then is switching back and forth from narrow to wide ties. Now I just buy them in a middle width and ignore whatever is in fashion.

I agree with you and others about belts being right at 1 1/4 inches although I am finally finding that braces are more comfortable with a suit.

Cheers, Jim.