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How to Wear a Belt (for Young Men)

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As you grow older, you may see that your hips just aren't made for holding up a pair of heavy jeans or pants. This is why belts were invented. Don't worry, to wear a belt, all you have to do is choose the right belt, put it on correctly, and make a habit of wearing it in style. If you're a boy who wants to know how to wear a belt, just follow these steps.


  1. 1
    Find a good belt. You can get one at any clothing or department store, such as a men's shoe store. If you want to go vintage, check out a second hand store. You can start with just one belt to make sure that this is the right look for you.
  2. 2
    Choose a versatile belt. If you are only going to start with one belt, get one that is versatile and will go with all your clothes. That means a simple leather strap, either black or dark brown, with a simple buckle. You can always buy another belt down the road and you will need to anyway as you grow.
  3. 3
    Make sure the belt fits your pants. Try a belt on right over your pants, or through the loops if you can, with your shirt tucked in (or not, if you don't tuck). A belt will have a buckle with a silver stick one one side, that will have to fit through the holes on the other side of the belt once it goes all the way around you. A good belt fits in the middle hole, but if you are growing fast, get one that fits in the last hole or near. It should feel tight - tight enough to keep your pants up, but not so tight that you can't breathe.
    • Wearing a belt may feel a little funny at first, but you'll get used to it in no time.
    • Remember to match your shoes with your belt. Black belt with black shoes, brown belt with brown shoes. If you are wearing sneakers then it doesn't matter.
  4. 4
    Consider wearing a braided or a web belt. Braided or web belts are an option because they fit your trousers more precisely than a belt with holes, and are generally more comfortable. However, they are somewhat out of style and a flimsy cotton belt generally won't hold your pants up as well either; if you have to keep tightening it to do so, it won't be comfortable.
    • The material in them will also, eventually, get clumped together, requiring you to over-tighten the belt. If you can get away with a cloth belt, go for it, but it won't look good on anything but jeans or shorts.
  5. 5
    Give the belt some time to break in. A new leather belt is generally pretty stiff and will feel uncomfortable for a day or so as it breaks in. Don't give up on it - give it time to soften and conform to your waist.
  6. 6
    Wear the belt as much as you can. Wear it whenever you're wearing pants with belt loops. Like it or not, men are generally expected to wear a belt, especially when at work or when they are dressing up a bit. In the world of employment, men are expected to wear belts with business wear, with blue-collar work wear, and any time they are expected to make an appearance.
    • Even if you don't feel that you need a belt to keep your pants up - it's still something that "completes the look" and even if your shirt isn't tucked in, a belt will probably be beneficial - very few men get away without pulling their pants up at least a few times a day.
  7. 7
    Love your new look. As you get more comfortable wearing a belt, you can start getting more belts of different colors, looks, and materials. You can get belts that are made of leather, brown or black belts, or belts that are thicker or thinner depending on what you like.

Community Q&A

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  • Does it matter which way I thread the belt through the loops?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Both clockwise and counterclockwise will be functional. Clockwise means that you start at the loop just to the right of the button and end at the loop just to the left, whereas counterclockwise is the other way around. Traditionally in the US, men thread their belts counterclockwise and women thread their belts clockwise.
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  • Trendy sparkle studded belts and white printed belts are okay, but in general, they look sort of foolish except with the right clothes. Don't buy one and wear it all the time.
  • If you have to go to a private school and they make you wear a dress code, think of some combination that can still make you cool, although you still have to dress up.
  • If you don't like belts because you find them uncomfortable - wear a t-shirt underneath your regular shirt, or tuck in your regular shirt - it won't be so uncomfortable that way. Also, a tight belt on a tight pair of pants adds up to discomfort....buy pants that fit or are a little loose in the waist, and then cinch up a belt on them.
  • Don't wear a belt when it starts looking ratty! Get a new one.
  • Wear a belt with shorts that have loops, but in general, you shouldn't tuck your shirt in. In this day and age, guys who tuck their shirts into shorts are thought to look "geeky." If that's your style, though, go ahead and you'll pull it off!
  • You will look trendier and better in general if you don't wear the same belt every day.
  • Use a belt that fits you.


  • If you are wearing a belt solely for looks (such as with a shirt and tie) and you don't really need the belt to hold up your pants, don't wear it so loose that it sags in front! Wear it good and tight like you would if your pants were loose - it will look better.
  • Don't fall into the habit of wearing sixteen objects on your belt! A utility knife is fine if you use one at work. But cellphones and mp3 players are best kept in a pocket, or somewhere else.

Article Info

Categories: Belts

In other languages:

Español: llevar cinturón (para hombres jóvenes), Português: Usar um Cinto, Italiano: Indossare una Cintura (per Ragazzi), Русский: носить ремень (для молодых парней), Deutsch: So trägt ein junger Mann einen Gürtel, Français: porter une ceinture (pour les jeunes hommes), Bahasa Indonesia: Mengenakan Sabuk untuk Pria Muda

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