We had to kick things off with one of the most iconic belts of all time. For many, the interlocking “G”s on the Gucci 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. The high-end Italian 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.

If [Italian "sprezzatura"](https://www.grailed.com/drycleanonly/types-of-suits doesn’t hit the spot, how about some American luxury? Already an eternal symbol of cool, cowboys (and western wear in general) is fundamental to U.S. fashion, and considering the popularity of brands like Visvim and Needles is seeing a massive resurgence. Rather than a reinterpretation, opt for the real thing courtesy of Ralph Lauren’s RRL.

Named after the designer’s notorious Ridgway, Colorado “RRL” ranch, the line is essentially reproduction military and classic Americana with modern production techniques and a Southwestern flair. While best known for its denim, not far behind is its artisanal treatment of fine leather, most of which is sourced directly from the Southwest. Alongside the “rough-out” suede trucker jacket and vintage Schott-inspired motorcycle jackets is a whole line of leather accessories, including the beloved Rasco belt.

A part of the core collection, each season RRL offers a version of the Rasco, most often studded with stones and often featuring extensive tooling along the leather face. With a substantial brass or silver buckle, this is the perfect belt to wear alongside some heavyweight denim and rider boots. This one is quite literally designed to be worn day in and day out, so wear it long and wear it tough. The jewels lose some of their luster while the leather breaks and ages creating a stunning effect. They come at a premium—particularly for belts not boasting a designer logo—but are worth every penny.

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. As opposed to other designer belts, the Prada version is thinner, sleeker and ideal for both the workplace and more formal engagements. Whether it's alongside a slim black suit or simple trousers, the Saffiano leather belt is pure class. For the more reserved shopper, this is the one for you.

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.

While introduced as part Abloh’s Fall/Winter 2016 menswear collection—his first ever men’s runway show—it was an infamous street style photo from Paris that launched hype through the stratosphere. Wearing black sneakers, distressed denim, Prada’s grail-status “Impossible True Love” camp collar shirt and, most importantly, the industrial belt with the tail end nearly dragging on the pavement, Abloh blew up the internet. Not only did he “break” the Prada shirt, but everyone was suddenly thinking, “is this how I should wear my belt now?” Immediately sales skyrocketed the the industrial belt became an Off-White signature.

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. 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.

Of Louis Vuitton’s two famous patterns—the monogram and the Damier print—one is by far preferred (insofar as belts are concerned). Since the pattern was introduced in 1888, the Damier has wrapped everything from the house’s legendary trunks to briefcases and small trinkets. Unlike the monogram—primarily reserved for handbags, luggage and ready-to-wear—the brown-on-dark-brown checkerboard pattern is primarily relegated to accessories, and for good reason.

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, created a textured look while protecting the hide beneath the surface.

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. 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.

As far as avant-garde fashion is concerned, few names are held in higher-regard than Maurizio Amadei. Formerly part of the since-disbanded Carpe Diem collective—where he was responsible for leather—in 2006 Amadei founded MA+, a specialty label focusing on leather footwear and intermittently-available, highly-limited clothing. After years focusing on leather, Amadei is renowned for his ability to coaxe the most color and texture possible out of a hide, and his beloved belts are the clearest example.

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. 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. 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.

Before 1017 Alyx 9SM was collaborating with Moncler and designer Matthew Williams was providing hardware for Dior, the label was a small womenswear line. While developing his women’s collection, a small detail caught Williams’ eye while at a theme park with his kids—the infamous “Rollercoaster” buckle. As the story goes, Williams tracked down the manufacturer and asked them to produce a custom version for his burgeoning fashion business. The rest was history.

Within months, fashion industry folks from various style tribes were lusting after the quick release belt with military grade nylon strap. Today, the buckle forms the basis of William’s entire accessory line and various versions are strewn across garments ranging from puffers to vests and leather jackets. Though the hype has undoubtedly died down, the inherent practicality and latent cool factor of recontextualizing something as utilitarian as a theme park safety mechanism in high-fashion certainly has not. Whatever way the trend pendulum swings, we guarantee these will come back around. Get in before prices spike right back up.

While Salvatore Ferragamo’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. 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. Consider last year’s sleeper hit film Uncut Gems: Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner, who wears a garish Gancini belt, rocks the piece throughout the entire film. Despite the character’s clear nouveau-riche status, he somehow still looks fantastic—a sign of things to come. As the market currently stands these are wildly undervalued. Mark our words, get ahead of the curve. Ferragamo is coming.

Largely aligned with the Ed Hardy, Affliction or True Religion genre of fashion, if you told anyone you were hunting for a B.B. Simon belt more than three years ago they simply would not have believed you. 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 co-sign–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.

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. 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.

Following Phoebe Philo’s departure and the subsequent hiring of Hedi Slimane at Celine in 2018, the fashion world immediately split. Some saw Philo’s replacement as a tragedy, the end of an era marked by an appeal to gorgeously sensible clothes as opposed to those that ooze rocker-laden sex appeal. Others saw it as a welcome return for fashion’s great provocateur following his short-yet-monumental stint at Saint Laurent Paris. Of course, at his core Slimane is a menswear designer, so naturally he was tasked with launching Celine menswear for the first time, what LVMH hoped would be a massive opportunity for growth and one of the primary reasons for hiring him. The results were mixed, but the aesthetic was exactly what you would expect.

Nearly identical to Saint Laurent Paris, the new Celine includes the same sort of waifishly thin tailoring and glam-rock inspired outerwear that defined Slimane-era Saint Laurent Paris. Yet, as of late, there has been a tilt towards undeniably French, almost ’80s-inspired clothing closer to what you would find at vintage markets in Paris than Los Angeles thrift shops. The Celine Homme belt is one such item. Slim in premium-grade French leather and featuring a tiny solid intersecting double-C logo, this new creation is closer to Hermès than anything Slimane has designed as of late—and as far as we’re concerned, that’s a good thing. Whether you love or hate the new brand direction, you cannot deny how great this new accessory is. Quality always speaks for itself.

For those of you who feel Alyx’s flagship rollercoaster belt simply is not tactical enough, you may as well go to the source. The godfather of all things technical, Errolson Hugh introduced Acronym’s take on a magnetic tactile utility belt years because, well, of course he would. With more uses than we can bear to count—let alone fully grasp—the belt not only serves its actual function (aka holding up your pants) but can be attached to jackets, bags, pouches and accessories in countless ways, a must-have modular add-on for the techwear obsessives.

Insofar as its ostensible intended purpose, the belt combines military grade tear-resistant webbing with a magnetic locking mechanism that easily flips closed but once shut is near impossible to come undone. Smart thinking from the former Burton designer turned hyper-technical guru.

For those who miss the #OldCeline and who always wished for Phoebe Philo-designed 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 where immediate hits.

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 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.

Historically, Rick Owens collections are marked by androgyny, drape, extensive use of leather and a limited color palette. 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.

Those details inevitably made their way into the accessories, including the Performa belt. Obviously named after the season—a common Owens practice for stand out products— the Studded Performa belt featured the sort of details Owens’ introduced with his ode to LeGaspi, namely heavy hardware, studs and leather, which given the designer’s aesthetic should pretty much be a given. Somewhere between S&M dog collar and sleek runway accessory, this is the sort of belt that immediately catches the eye, for better or worse. Granted this is a tough one to pull off, but for those fully sold on Rick Owens, it’s a perfect addition to any collection, guaranteed to fit in with your drop-crotch Astaire trousers or DRKSHDW denim.

While Tom Ford doesn’t do everything better, the last great American fashion powerhouse certainly nails most menswear categories, and accessories are no exception. The only American equivalent to the name brand European luxury houses, Ford built an empire on made-to-measure and bespoke menswear, and with years of fashion experience across the industry from make-up to ready-to-wear, he clearly realizes the importance of signature leather pieces, no doubt why the one’s he designers are so good.

Arguably the only fair comparison to an Hermès belt–particularly stateside—the Tom Ford logo belt is quickly becoming a calling card for high powered executives and gentlemen of discerning taste. With a price tag well out of reach for most and a subtle sideways “T” buckle in both generic and precious metal finish, the Tom Ford belt is the most exclusive, expensive and coveted leather accessory out currently. You can’t argue with taste.