10 best designer belts to buy in 2021

One of the most ubiquitous, practical and undoubtedly essential accessories is, somewhat surprisingly, the most often neglected. Of all the leather goods out there, the only one that everyone needs is a belt. Whether it’s a dressy black leather version to wear with your suit or just a sturdy roughed-out calfskin option as part of your daily rotation, all of us need a reliable belt to secure their pants. While big buckle designer belts have been a finance bro and rapper favorite for generations, for many, most belts are either wildly garish or much too mundane. In reality, though, when we talk about developing a daily uniform and personal style, adding a signature belt to the daily rotation is crucial.

1. Gucci Double G Leather Belt: 

We had to kick things off with one of the most iconic belts of all time. For many, the interlocking “G”s on theGucci Double G leather belt are not just a sign of affluence, but an internationally-recognized signifier that you have “made it”. Despite introducing the logo in the 1930s, the belt buckle truly came to prominence in 1995, during the celebrated and ostentatious Tom Ford era. While big-money hedge fund managers wore the belts alongside various other flashy designer threads during the '80s Wall Street power-suit era, the oversized belts went mainstream with the Gucci explosion under Ford’s reign. Exceeding 42mm and easily visible from a distance, the belts are guaranteed to make a statement made of alligator skin belt. The high-end Italian ostrich skin belt  leather and durable brass mean the belt will last for years, and while the size may go in and out of style, quality doesn’t. While the new Alessandro Michele-led house has plenty of garish options, we recommend sticking to the classic gold Gs on brown leather. Even if Gucci’s current hot streak comes to a close, this belt has already held out for 30 years, so it’s more than a safe bet. This is also made from elephant leather belts. 

2. Prada Saffiano Leather Belt: 

While, like many European luxury brands, Prada  began as a leather goods business, the brand didn’t explode onto the fashion scene until current designer Miuccia Prada introduced her wildly popular woven nylon bags and triangular metal badge logo in 1977. Since then, Prada’s most successful items by far are made of nylon. Strangely enough, it was a marriage between the beloved triangular metal badge and the house’s celebrated Saffiano leather that gave birth to one of the most popular men’s belts around. Made from high-grade leather covered in a cross-hatched protective wax—referred to as “Saffiano” and what originally put Prada on the map—the water resistant material is about as durable as can be, but simultaneously both luxe and subdued. With the addition of the small-yet-unmistakable metal badge, the belt has been revered both in and outside of Italy for generations. Mostly consisting of alligator skin belt and ostrich skin belts. 

3. Off-White Yellow Industrial Belt: 

Yes, we know this will be divisive. Off-White’s infamous industrial belt has as many fans as it does haters. Naysayers be damned, apart from Virgil Abloh’s connections and  personal fame, this is one of the designs that put Off-White on the international fashion map. When Abloh first launched the label in 2012, the men’s line was primarily still T-shirts and hoodies. While the women’s line began with full ready-to-wear collections early on, Off-White men’s began slowly, with many of the cut-and-sew pieces failing to get nearly as much traction as the cotton basics. The Industrial belt changed all of that. A calling card of hypebeasts the world over, today the belt is available in a range of colors and materials and is used as a strap for handbags, backpacks and even luggage made from alligator skin  belt as well as shark skin belt. Still, despite the numerous options, we would recommend sticking with the original. While you may love the association, the belt is a large part of Abloh lore, and may we be worth something one day. Also, oit includes elephant leather belts with a combination of stingray belts. 

4. Louis Vuitton Damier Print 40MM Reversible Belt:

Dating all the way back to the house’s trunkmaker origins, the Damier canvas was initially introduced by Louis Vuitton himself, even predating the interlocked LV logo. A specially coated material with water resistant properties, it was considered revolutionary at the end of the 19th century. With such a rich history and a direct connection to the house founder, for the most part the Damier pattern has not changed since its inception, apart from a special edition graphite version introduced in 2008 to mark the pattern's 120th anniversary. Similar to Prada’s Saffiano, the coated canvas face wraps the leather behind it, creating a textured look while protecting the hide beneath the surface. It includes alligator skin belt and shark skin belt too. Though both the classic brown and graphite (which is only available on men’s accessories) are great options, under Virgil Abloh’s current direction, everything is constantly being reworked, including new takes on the iconic print, also have ostrich skin belts While Abloh’s modern Damier belts quickly sell out and demand a premium, if you’re looking for the latest fashion accessory, snatch one up if you get a chance. If you’re hoping to stick with a classic, the normal print will do just fine.

5. MA+ Fully Stapled “+” Belt: 

Available in a dark black or oxblood red and cut extra long with wrapping in mind, the belts hold a cult status amongst avant-garde enthusiasts and early Grailed users alike. With alligator skin belts and stingray belts available. While the belts are by and large the same season to season, a specific version is particularly coveted: the fully stapled cross belt. While every MA+ piece features the labels “+” logo in some fashion or another—in clothing it’s most often with two contrast color tack stitches—some leather pieces feature two perpendicular sterling silver staples forming a cross with additional combination of elephant leather belt and shark skin belts. In the case of the fully stapled belt, these “crosses” run the length of the belt from buckle to tail, adding literal grams of sterling silver, with a cost that reflects it. While they are difficult to find—and even more difficult to purchase at a reasonable price—amongst serious clothing enthusiasts, nothing else compares.

6. Salvatore Ferragamo Fixed Gancini Belt:

While Salvatore Ferrangamo’s infamous belt has had its share of unflattering associations–finance lackeys, B-list rappers, seedy jewelers—as we officially embrace early-2000s fashion, its inevitable return is imminent. It also provides an alligator skin belt and highly modern ostrich skin belt.  A slightly cheaper alternative to a Louis Vuitton or Gucci belt, the Ferragamo iteration features the house’s “Gancini” logo, or two backwards horseshoes linked together to form a clasp. The hardware is a reference the family’s farming roots and the founder’s history as a shoemaker.While negative associations helped the design fall out of favor with the fashion set, as fashion as a whole pivots towards the early-2000s for inspiration, the label's history, newfound design chops and sordid past prime it for a comeback. It is also known for its elephant leather belt and shark skin belt. 

7. B.B. Simon Fully Loaded Swarovski Belt: 

Largely aligned with the Ed Hardy, Affliction or True Religion genre of fashion, if you told anyone you were hunting for aB.B. Simon belt more than three years ago they simply would not have believed you. Providing with best alligatore and stingray belts and known for its shark skin belts and elephant leather belts. Yet, after countless co-signs from every Soundcloud rapper you can think of, suddenly kids across the globe are paying top dollar for the Swarovski-studded fully-decked out B.B. Belt. While we don’t necessarily endorse the trend nor say we fully understand it outside of the rapper cosign–go ahead, call us “old heads''—but as the trend continues well into 2020, B.B. Simon belts look like they’re staying for the foreseeable future. Made of various leathers—ranging from python to simple calf—and available in a rainbow of hues and even more stone variations, there is no set styling recommendation here; if you’re going to go for it, commit and go big. Confidence is key here, and this piece isn't for the faint of heart. 

8. Bottega Veneta Black Intrecciato Belt: 

For those who miss the #OldCeline and who always wished for Phoebe Philo-designer menswear, Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta debut was monumental. Cheekily referred to as #NewBottega, Lee’s designs were lauded for possessing the same sort of luxurious practicality that Philo made famous. His menswear in particular struck a chord, and various items ranging from woven loafers to leather pants were immediate hits with best alligator skin belts and shark skin belts. Of course this being Bottega, leather—particularly the house’s proprietary woven leather technique—was a focus and what Lee has managed to conjure up using the signature intrecciato is marvelous, belts included. While old Bottega Veneta leather accessories were often mundane, featuring the same weave time and time again, Lee has played with proportion creating belts with a much more substantial leather weave with elephant leather belts that not only look striking, but will age incredibly. Though Lee’s aesthetic—and price point—is surely not for everyone, the new Bottega Veneta leather intrecciato belt is an amazing entry point.

9. Rick Owens Studded Performa Belt: 

Historically, Rick Owens collections are marked by androgyny, drape, extensive use of leather and a limited color palette as they have alligator skin belt and stingray belts. As of Fall/Winter 2020, however, Owens’ has opted to move in a different direction. Following collections inspired by Kiss costume designer Larry LeGaspi and tribal dress, Owens presented Performa, a collection that referenced both Kansai Yamamoto and Joseph Beuys, combining color with performance and structure in a wholly unprecedented way. The result was daring, bold and surprisingly colorful, with pieces ranging from bubble-gum blue leather pants to blood red officer’s coats.

10. Hermès “H” Belt Buckle with Reversible Strap: 

Last—but certainly not least—is the best of the lot. While flashy finance types and fashion trend chasers may reach for a Gucci or Louis Vuitton belt, the subtly mega-rich pull out their Hermès “H” belt. If the day traders all have Ferragamos on, the C-Suite level employees are rocking their “H”s proudly. The sign of the elite the world over, Hermès—itself easily one of the most expensive fashion brands on Earth—has catered to the world’s business elite for decades, providing them with six-plus-figure suits and seven-figure furs for their significant others. Also with highly fashioned alligator skin belts and shark skin belts available. While the “H” belt is nowhere near that price point (clocking in at nearly four figures for a basic leather version) it is easily the most expensive “fashion” belt out there. That said, like a  Cartier love bracelet or the label’s notoriously difficult-to-purchase Birkin bags, class comes at a cost. If you have the cash to spend and are looking to nonchalantly stunt forever, go with the Hermès. You won’t be disappointed.