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Best Belts for Men Over 50 in 2024

Elevate your everyday look with an underrated yet staple accessory

Anissa Gabbara,

AARP

Published August 29, 2024

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: American Eagle; The Gap (2); Bloomingdale's; Nordstrom; Zara; Kohl's; Getty Images)

Menswear at 50 and older is all about practicality. We’re talking pants with plenty of pockets to store your wallet and keys, durable denim that can be dressed up or down and the quintessential three-piece suit that does all the work for you. But functionality and fashion can coexist, fellas.

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Often underappreciated, a belt is one of those fashion items that serve a dual purpose: securing a loose pair of pants and taking a lackluster look to the next level. It’s probably wise not to take a good belt for granted, as a simple strap can be just the thing you need to spruce up an outfit. “A belt can communicate bold or nuanced style to an everyday look or uniform,” says Gari Yamamoto-Bates, buyer for Today Clothing, a menswear store in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “If a man wants to … look more polished, I always recommend a coordinating belt with the total look, especially the shoes,” says Chellie Carlson, an L.A.-based wardrobe stylist and founder of Chellie Carlson Style.

Here, we walk you through essential belt styles that are sure to give your go-to garments an upgrade.

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Lands’ End Men’s Glove Leather Belt; Nordstrom’s Marco Burnished Leather Belt; Goodfellow & Co’s Men’s Tonal Stitched Edge Dress Belt

(Clockwise from top left) Lands’ End Men’s Glove Leather Belt; Nordstrom’s Marco Burnished Leather Belt; Goodfellow & Co’s Men’s Tonal Stitched Edge Dress Belt

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Kohl's; Target; Nordstrom)

1. Plain leather belts are must-haves in your wardrobe — and you can never have too many. Yamamoto-Bates says the classic hues of black and brown remain the most popular, “as they are versatile and lend themselves for everyday wear.” Simple options such as Lands’ End Men’s Glove Leather Belt ($58-$60, kohls.com) or Goodfellow & Co’s Men’s Tonal Stitched Edge Dress Belt ($10, target.com) can be great additions to your wardrobe, as well as Nordstrom’s Marco Burnished Leather Belt ($80, nordstrom.com) for a sophisticated feel.

(Left to right) Gap Suede Belt; Hugo Boss Men’s Sized Suede Belt

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; The Gap)

2. Suede belts have stood the test of time as classic pieces — and might be as essential to your wardrobe as leather belts. Appearance-wise, suede’s soft texture works well with both casual and formal looks, making it a great alternative to leather. “With my male clients, I find [that one of] the most popular and versatile belts [is] … suede, [especially] to match a suede shoe or boot,” Carlson says. Plus, having basic colors in rotation, such as black and brown (as mentioned above) allows you to transform your everyday outfits. Polo Ralph Lauren’s Suede D-Ring Belt ($118, ralphlauren.com), Hugo Boss’ Men’s Sized Suede Belt ($50, macys.com) or Gap’s Suede Belt ($71, gap.com) are good options to consider.

Zara Narrow Leather Belt (left and right)

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Zara (2))

3. Skinny belts are sleek and subtle and can add a touch of elegance to any outfit. “We’ve … seen an increased demand for skinny belts, ranging from 0.75 to 1.25 inches,” Yamamoto-Bates says. Typically worn with dressy attire, such as trousers, thin belts can also be dressed down with a pair of jeans. Levi’s Narrow Belt ($20, levi.com) offers this versatility with its understated design. Likewise, Zara’s Narrow Leather Belt ($46, zara.com) is a staple you can reach for on a regular basis. Miansai’s Skinny Belt ($85, miansai.com) is minimal yet mighty, featuring genuine Italian cowhide leather and brass hardware for a small amount of detail that makes all the difference.

CTM Men’s Leather Western Belt With Removable Buckle (left and right)

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Kohl's (2))

4. Western-style belts are ideal for those days when you want to make a statement. “We’ve seen modern, minimalized Western details become very popular with belts over the past few years — silver tips and decorated buckles,” Yamamoto-Bates says. Bold and timeless, Western belts come in various styles that can add a bit of charm to a casual, minimalist look. Sheplers’ Cody James Men’s Crazy Horse Burnished Leather Belt ($55, sheplers.com) has a unique design etched into the buckle, which comes in a silver finish. CTM’s Men’s Leather Western Belt With Removable Buckle ($25, kohls.com) features an embossed Western print on the leather that can take a casual look up several notches. Boot Barn’s 3D Belt Co Men’s Genuine Leather Belt ($35, bootbarn.com) boasts durability and style, and the dull brown hue makes it easy to wear.

American Eagle Striped Webbed Belt; Gap Braided Vegan-Leather Belt

American Eagle Striped Webbed Belt (left and middle left); Gap Braided Vegan-Leather Belt (middle right and right)

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: The Gap; American Eagle)

5. Patterned belts add some fun and flair to your personal style, and you can pull off the look with most casual outfits. Though not the most versatile option, patterned belts can jazz up a pair of khakis, jeans or trousers. Think classic stripes, as seen on Gap’s Braided Vegan-Leather Belt ($10, gapfactory.com) or American Eagle’s Striped Webbed Belt ($30, ae.com). Jos. A. Bank’s Herringbone Braided Belt ($70, josbank.com) is another good option if you’re seeking a timeless pattern. Though Dean Olszewski, a sales associate at Jos. A. Bank in Lansing, Michigan, typically enjoys sporting plain styles, he won’t shy away from a hint of pattern every now and then. “I’ll do a little design maybe toward the tail end of the belt where you loop it through,” he says.

(Left to right) Bloomingdale Woven Stretch Belt; Dockers Braided Dress Casual Belt; Goodfellow & Co Men’s Braided Lace Webbed Belt

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Bloomingdale's; Kohl's; Target)

6. Woven and braided belts strike the right balance between casual and dressy. Though you might not reach for them as often as you would your plain leathers and suedes, a tinge of texture can go a long way in your wardrobe, especially if you need to add interest to a basic look. Consider donning these styles with chinos, slacks or jeans. Bloomingdale’s Woven Stretch Belt ($70, bloomingdales.com) comes in neutral colors, such as black, khaki and navy, and the leather trimming enhances the overall look of the belt. Other options include Dockers’ Braided Dress Casual Belt ($34, kohls.com) and Goodfellow & Co’s Men’s Braided Lace Webbed Belt ($25, target.com).

Anissa Gabbara writes about beauty, health, lifestyle and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Sisters From AARP, Sesi magazine and Maple City Our Town magazine.

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