Putting together the perfect outfit is crucial. For many of us, our jobs require our clothes to have a certain aesthetic - a feat that is only accomplished by carefully coordinating our everyday outfits and that includes having our shoes look sharp.

So when choosing an outfit, should your belt match your shoes? It's an age-old question that we have the answer to. Read on to find out and check out our other guide on the different types of belts, as well as business casual sneakers to go with them.

So, Should Your Belt Match Your Shoes?

To answer the question in plain terms, no. They don’t technically have to match. However, matching these two clothing items together will almost always give you bonus points in the style department, like matching a blue suit with brown shoes.

You may be able to pull off a non-matching look, but admittedly, it’s a lot harder than it sounds as styles, patterns, and colors can clash easily. So, we’d recommend always matching them if you have the means, unless you're just wearing white sneakers for example. 

Brown Belt Black Shoes 

Have you ever been tempted to wear a brown belt with black shoes? Have you done it before? If so, you might be wondering if you should have or if you should in the future...unfortunately, the answer isn’t as cut and dry as we’d like to assume. 

If your bottoms are any kind of light color such as tan or khaki and you're wearing black shoes, you may want to avoid brown belts. Although all of these tones are found in nature, the combination of the three in one outfit is quite often too much. It can make you look like a sort of "patchwork." 

In addition, if your bottoms and shoes are black, you should still steer clear (most of the time) of brown belts. Most of the time, brown belts are on the lighter side of the color spectrum and, when paired with a primarily black ensemble, stick out a great deal. You may be able to get away with this if your belt is so dark brown that it appears to be black upon first glance, though, but it's safer to stick with black belts. 

Generally speaking, your belt and shoes should complement and not contrast. A brown belt worn with black shoes tend to contrast.

How To Match Your Belt To Your Shoes?

Match your metals

One important factor of matching your belt and shoes perfectly is the metals. Any metal components found on your shoes and belt should be the same - or as close to the same as you can get. If you have brass buckles on your shoes, you should try to ensure that your belt buckle is brass, as well. This rule applies to copper, gold, and silver as well. If your shoes don’t have any metal, this obviously doesn’t apply. 

Complimenting textures

Textures - there are tons of them on the market. You might not pay attention to textures, instead opting to focus on colors and metals, but textures are pretty important. The right pairing of textures can make or break an outfit, and belts and shoes are two of the most common places to find unique ones. 

For example, a stylish texture pairing is a braided belt and suede shoes. The distinct texture of the belt and the smooth, clean look of suede shoes are complementary and give you a touch of style without taking things too far. If both your shoes and your belt are to have noticeable textures, try to match the textures exactly. 

Consider the occasion of each item.

You probably have a few pairs of shoes for formal occasions and a few for casual everyday-looks. The same might be true for belts, whether you know it or not. 

By default, belts that are made of canvas are casual, whereas belts that are made of leather can be worn casually or formally. Shoes follow the same general rules; leather dress shoes are formal. Oxfords, loafers, brogues, monks and similar shoes can be worn either way, while sneakers and espadrilles are casual. 

Avoid mixing a casual belt with formal shoes and vice versa. Go for a casual-on-casual or formal-on-formal look to keep your outfit uniform. 

Match colors

When deciding what color belt and shoes to wear, turn to the color wheel. You’ll notice that some popular belt and shoe shades are cool and others are warm. 

As a rule of thumb, don’t pair a cool shoe and a warm belt; stick to one tone. Consider wearing a dark brown belt with dark brown shoes, or a tan belt with shoes that no more than 1-2 shades darker, and always try to match as closely as possible to avoid any potential fashion nightmares. 

This being said, some shoes may have more than one color on them: these will almost always be casual shoes and, in addition to being flashy, they are very hard to style. Try to boycott two-toned shoes when you’re trying to match your belt with them. 

Conclusion

Do you match your shoes with your belt? Or, thanks to this article, will you start? If you do match these two together, remember to pay attention to color, occasion, and the type of metal present.

Try your best not to wear a brown belt with black shoes, but, if you must wear this combination, go for a dark brown belt with your black shoes. Surprisingly people take very little consideration in matching their socks with shoes. Instead, they usually match socks with other pieces of their outfit.

As a side note if you decide to wear a leather belt it matches well with leather accessories such as a leather wallet. Get Nimble dress socks here. For more, check out this guide on how to clean shoes.

 

FAQs

Are belts supposed to match shoes?

Traditionally, yes. The conventional rule is that your belt should match your shoes in both color and material. This helps to create a cohesive and polished look. However, fashion rules are more flexible today, and personal style plays a big role. If you're confident in your choice and it suits your outfit, feel free to break the traditional rule!

Is it okay to wear a black belt with brown shoes?

While it’s generally recommended to match your belt and shoes, modern fashion allows for some flexibility. A black belt with brown shoes can work if it’s part of a deliberate style choice or if the outfit has elements that tie them together. For a more classic look, stick with a belt that matches the color of your shoes.

What color belt goes with everything?

A neutral-colored belt, like black or brown, is versatile and can pair with most outfits. Black belts are great for formal or dark-colored ensembles, while brown belts work well with lighter tones and casual looks. If you’re looking for something even more adaptable, a medium brown belt often complements a wide range of colors and styles.

Can I wear a white belt with black shoes?

While a white belt with black shoes is less conventional, it can work if styled correctly. To pull off this look, ensure that the belt complements other elements of your outfit, like a white shirt or other accessories. Fashion is about personal expression, so if you like the combination and it fits your style, go for it!