Three ways to wear a black belt that are not boring

A black belt is the most-owned and least-considered item in most wardrobes. Three ways to make it count.

1. Formal: match the metal, not just the leather

With formal trousers, a slim belt under 3.5cm looks correct. Match the buckle finish to your watch: silver with steel, black with black, gold with gold. Mismatched metals are what makes an outfit read as accidental.

2. Smart casual: let it break the outfit

With chinos and a shirt, a slightly wider belt with a matte buckle adds a line across the middle of a plain outfit. Keep shoes in the same family as the belt, not necessarily identical.

3. Weekend: texture over colour

With denim, a woven or nylon belt reads as more relaxed than smooth leather, even in the same black. This is where a ratchet belt works well, since the clean front has no holes to look worn.

The one rule worth keeping

Belt and shoes should be in the same tone family. Black with black, brown with brown. Everything else is preference.