Reasons To Wear A Belt With A Suit—Or Not

As we recently discussed, not all suit trousers must be made with belt loops, but the great majority of suit trousers are. However, the existence of belt loops doesn’t mean that a belt must be looped through them. After all, if you’re wearing a custom-made suit it should fit on your waist without the use of a belt. For that reason, the belt should be considered optional and there are personal reasons to wear or not wear a belt with your suit.

Reasons to wear a belt with a suit

• You’ve always worn a belt with your trousers, and you feel more comfortable wearing a belt than not.

• You’ll spend the majority of your time at the office with your suit jacket hung up, so most people will only see you wearing a dress shirt and suit trousers. 

• Your suit is made from a more casual material, like cotton, or you plan to wear your suit more casually. 

• Perhaps you have shed some weight since the suit was made, and find that a belt provides a better method of support than suspenders.

Reasons to not wear a belt with a suit

• You’d prefer a cleaner look that isn’t bisected in the center by a belt.

• You plan to wear your suit more formally, and/or in more formal occasions. 

• You’re not in the market for a suit at all, but rather a tuxedo—which should never have belt loops.