Throughout history, holding garments in place, more specifically holding pants up, has been a struggle that made all men equal. To solve this ancient problem mankind came up with different solutions, from buttons to belts, side fasteners to suspenders, zippers to velcro. In this article we will give you a quick round up of the options available at Tailor On Ten, so that you can decide how to best hold your pants in the right place.

Belts

Belts have been around since the bronze age, being both utilitarian and decorative additions to men’s attires. As most gentleman’s accessories and clothing, the evolution of belts closely followed the one of military uniforms.

Before WWI, belts were used by armies as support for sabers and guns holsters. Shortly after, it became common for officers to wear wide belts around the waist and fasten them tightly on the outside of the uniform. This gimmick was employed to achieve a look that emphasized the broadness of the shoulders, landing a more commanding, imposing demeanor.

In the 1920s, trousers waistlines fell lower, belt loops started making their appearance, and belts became more widespread, slowly losing their strong connection with military uniforms. Today, it is extremely common for men to wear belts, an accessory that can be used by wise gentlemen to give a subtle spin to his attire, all while making sure that his pants are in the right place.

At Tailor On Ten, we have over 300 possible combinations of belts. Navigating our broad range of options can be tough without some knowledge, but read on and we will guide you through both formal and casual combinations.

Slim, plain belts paired with a square buckle is optimal for formal occasions. There is however some room to play with this accessory, for example choosing different colors and buckles. A brown belt can beautifully compliment a blue suit. The lighter the blue, the lighter the brown of the belt can be. However, you should avoid wearing a brown belt on a grey or black suit. Go for chocolate colored leather if you plan to wear your belt with different color suits. The dark shade of brown sits right in the middle, and goes well with just about every color suit.

For casual attires, wider belts are the way to go. You should avoid wearing a skinny belt over a pair of jeans, since it can make you look feminine and frankly, quite awkward. Again, chocolate and black are the most versatile colors, but chestnut and textured belts can also be a good, eye-catching alternative.

Here at Tailor On Ten you can customize your belt, a service that is very difficult to find elsewhere, especially at such a convenient price. You can choose between different shapes of buckles, brass or silver, and pick the color of leather that compliments your suit. No matter what belt you decide to go for, you will have the Tailor On Ten guarantee of quality, and a 100% leather belt that you will be able to use for years to come. 

Honorable mentions: Side Fasteners and Suspenders

There are a few reasons why you could decide not to wear a belt with your trousers. Some people say that belts brake the flow of a suit, interrupting it at the waistline. This argument might sound unreasonable, especially if you are after a little flair or if you like playing with contrasts, but it is a valid point for formal occasions. Another reason why you might decide to opt out from wearing a belt, is if you are wearing a three piece suit. Belts can sometimes create a bulk under the waistcoat fabric and disturb the draping.

In these instances, if you think that a belt would subtract from your bespoke ensemble you can switch to side fasteners or suspenders. Of course we will be more than happy to fit belt loops, side fasteners or buttons for your suspenders to your tailor made pants. Check out the pants designer online and browse our range of belts here.