Men''s Business Belts and Braces Men's Business Dressing Etiquette Young Professional & University Graduate Student Etiquette Men's Business Dress

Outclass the Competition baesoe.com
Harold Almon Etiquette Coach
Be at Ease School of Etiquette Austin

1. In business, you are to wear a belt. It is to fit pants worn at the waist, level with the top of the hip, an inch above the navel.

2. It is to be the next size, two inches up, from your waist size. It can be large enough so that the belt tip can go 1 to 1½ inches past the belt buckle. It can go the same distance past first belt loop of the pants to be worn with it. It may be the lone exception to the two inches up from the waist size rule. You could meet the rule and look like you missed the mark. Much more than this and you are bragging. Much less you are confessing a shortcoming. Avoid a belt tip looking as if it is in search of your back; this could be a cultural thing. When buying a belt take the pants that are to be worn with it with you; get the right size belt.

3. A belt is to match any shoe worn with it in color, texture, and shine (sneakers excepted.) It can match a watchband. Above the age of twenty-five, it may match each of these in the exact shade. It could be reversible and worn with another set. To do this you are to be at least Twenty five, have a job, and want it.

4. A shinny belt with a small and simple buckle is to be used for business suits; there are no gaudy belt buckles in business, not even in Texas.

5. Belt pants from the left loop to the right. You like to do it the other way, OK. Just know that that is the woman’s way. You can belt the pants before putting them on. You may check to ensure each loop gets a pass through and each is in good condition.

6. At best case the inside of a belt buckle tip is to be justified to the left to line up with the outer edge of the zipper placket below it and the outer placket of the shirt front above it. This is called a military inspection “or Gig” line.

7. Avoid wearing the same belt you wear in business socially. In social life, your pants can be held up using a belt that has a buckle as big as you like, by a tie, a rope, or by a prayer. It may be worn with the buckle to the side. Each is a deviation allowed for the social good, for those willing to pay the taxes.

8. Metal belt buckles can be cleaned with alcohol. Belts are to be replaced when they begin to show wear. Clean and condition leather belts with saddle soap, at least twice a year. (Save this cloth.) Frayed sides can be filed with an emery board. Store belts by the buckles on hooks or hangers inside your closet.

Wear braces. These are suspenders for grownups.

1. They have adjustable levers made of brass and leather fittings that attach to the buttons sewn in the top inside band of your pants. They have no clips.

2. Avoid showing your braces outside in public. When braces are to be worn with pants you may have the belt loops removed. (You can omit doing this.)

3. Informally, braces can be worn with an unbuttoned shirt and without a tie. More formally, braces worn in the evening may be made of brocade.

4. Avoid wearing braces (or even suspenders) and a belt.