How many of you take the time to think about the types of buckles the belts you purchase have? Half of you? A little less than half?
Here’s a more important question: Why aren’t you paying attention to the style of your belt buckles? They can, after all, enhance your style in impressively subtle ways.
Maybe you just don’t care. Perhaps, though, you just don’t know how to pick the best belt buckles for men.
Though the latter is understandable, it doesn’t have to be that way for much longer. We, in our belt-buckle-loving ways, are already knowledgeable on the topic.
And guess what? We’re willing to share our knowledge with you.
Sifting Through The Types
Believe it or not, there are many types of belt buckles on the market today. The differences between these types can be so subtle that we miss them altogether.
Sadly, we won’t be going over all of those types here. We will, though, cover a few so you can get some idea of how different types of belts can affect your selection process.
Traditional
Traditional belt buckles are typically (well, behind frame-style buckles) what we think of when we think of buckles. They’re not too fancy, and they’re practical choices when you want something simple.
Because of their simplicity, they’re great choices for men who mean business. As an added bonus, they’re usually found in brass, nickel, or silver. This means that you have some room for customization without sacrificing too much utility.
Frame-Style
You’d think that traditional belt buckles were the OG buckles, but that title goes to frame-style buckles. Yep. That’s right. Buckles of the frame-style nature have the oldest design.
Well, at the least the oldest known one.
Like traditional buckles, they’re easy to use. As a matter of fact, they’re somewhat similar to traditional buckles in appearance. While the differences are subtle, they can be significant enough to impact a style.
Box-Out
Box-out buckles aren’t worn for being super functional. In fact, they’re much more decorative than functional.
So why’d we bother putting it on this short list?
Because they complement some styles nicely. Sure, they’re not the best belt buckles for men who mean business, but they’re fashionable.
…And Styles
As if the types of belts weren’t enough, they also come in a variety of styles. We don’t want to go too into detail about the styles, but we’ll briefly discuss a couple of them.
The first style that we’d like to give a nod to is the old cowboy buckle. It’s arguably one of the more iconic belt styles, and its variations can really be the cherry on top of an outfit with a western theme.
Superhero buckles are another style that we feel the need to pay homage to. While they’re all play and no work, they can make you feel like a superhero any day of the week.
Consider Compatibility with the Belt
Enough of the types and styles, though. We’d like to move on to something slightly less entertaining and more practical: compatibility with your belt.
Simply put, a belt buckle must match a belt. As a matter of fact, we’d go so far as to say that the best belt buckles for men should enhance the belt itself.These enhancements start with the superficial details.
Does the buckle look good with the belt? Does it clash with the material? Is it too big or small?
The size of the buckle is especially important here. It can greatly affect how your belt fits. Some styles of buckles, for instance, actually add sizes to belts.
Which means that a belt which fits perfectly will suddenly NOT fit so well.
Luckily, there is a surefire way to make sure that your buckle is compatible with the belt. You just have to try the belt on with the buckle.
The buckle can also tell you something about the belt itself. If your buckle pinches your pants’ lips, for instance, your belt might be too small.
Materials and Durability
Belt buckles are often made of one of two materials: plastic or metal. Though you can find nice belt buckles for men that are made of either or, the two materials have different benefits.
Let’s start with plastic. It’s amazingly cheap, so a buckle that’s made out of the stuff won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The problem here is that they don’t last as long.
And why would you expect them to? The benefit was that they were cheap – not that they were durable.
Metal buckles, on the other hand, are incredibly durable. Of course, they’re almost more expensive than plastic buckles, which is completely understandable.
Not all metal buckles, however, are created equal. Some buckles, for example, are made of metals such as gold or silver. We don’t have to tell you how expensive these buckles can get.
The only thing to watch out for here is the weight of the buckle. Large metal buckles can really add weight to your belt, which can feel strange at first.
Ease of Use
Do you remember when we discussed some of the types of belts on the market not too long ago? We did that for a reason: We wanted to show you that the utility of the different styles varies greatly.
If you recall, we discussed a style (the box-out buckle) which had little to no utility for those who are looking for something practical. It was purely for style.
Now does that sound like a belt that would be easy to use?
We’re not suggesting that you shouldn’t choose a buckle for fashion. We are, however, suggesting that you think about the occasion on which you’d be the belt buckle before you choose it.
Going to a party? Sure, flaunt your box-out buckle or large western buckle. Going to the office? How about a traditional or frame-style buckle? Seems more reasonable.
Still Interested In Purchasing Some Belt Buckles For Men?
After reading all of this, if you’re still interested in picking up some belt buckles for men, go ahead and browse our selection of buckles. We have buckles for everyone from businessmen to cowboys.
Have any questions about our selection of buckles? Fill out our contact form and we’ll get right on answering your question.
