How to choose a leather belt

A belt should disappear into the outfit until you look for it. Then it should hold up to inspection: grain, stitching, buckle weight and edge finish.

For trousers with loops, a 3.2–3.5 cm width is usually right. Thinner belts suit tailored trousers; wider ones belong with more casual wear.

Full-grain leather will mark and soften. That is not damage. It is the point. If you want a belt that stays identical forever, synthetic finishes will serve you better than leather.