Belts can be functional, fashionable, or both. Often it's the belt buckle that forms the focal point of the belt. Attention to the details of your belt buckle will make sure you've chosen the best match for your clothing. It's a detail that certainly shouldn't be forgotten.
In this guide, we'll discuss 19 types of belt buckles to help you pick the best options! So, without further ado, let's get to it.
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Types Of Belt Buckles
Screw Closure
A screw closure belt buckle fastens with a screw bar. These buckles are made for quick and easy buckling and unbuckling. This is one of the most common types of buckles. You've probably seen and worn this buckle, but may not have known the name for it. This buckle style can be dressy or casual.
Click here to see this screw closure buckle on Amazon.
Clamp
A clamp belt buckle is another standard looking buckle. This traditional buckle has two main parts attached to the belt strap. Different finishes can change the look of your buckle, taking it from casual to dressy. The clamp buckle uses holes on the belt to fasten the strap. It may be used on dressy or casual belts.
This clamp belt buckle is reversible.
Click here to see this buckle on Amazon.
Stitch
A stitch closure belt buckle is designed for comfortable wear with a variety of styles. This buckle is often found on a leather belt. It's a classic style that goes well with jeans or dress pants.
Click here to see this stitch-buckle belt on Amazon.
Tongue
Tongue belt buckles are designed with a metal pin and loop. The pin is also referred to as a tongue. There are both single and double tongue styles. Tongue belt buckles can be dressy or casual.
Click here to see this double tongue style on Amazon.
Reversible
A reversible belt buckle means you can wear your belt on either side. Belts can be designed with different colors on each side, greatly increasing the versatility of the belt. A common option is a belt that is brown on one side and black on the other.
Click here to see this reversible belt buckle on Amazon.
Click here to see this gold reversible belt buckle on Amazon.
Dress
A dress belt buckle is designed to be worn with slacks or dress pants. Dress belt buckles provide a polished, sophisticated look to an outfit. Dress belt buckles can be any shape, but they are usually a low profile metal buckle. A medium-width leather belt with a metal buckle is a classic dress belt option.
Click here to see this dress belt buckle on Amazon.
Click here to see this dress belt buckle on Amazon.
Frame Style
The frame style buckle is a traditional design. It is meant to showcase the design of the belt. These buckles have simple designs, often with a D-shaped frame or loop.
Click here to see this frame style buckle on Amazon.
Rigger
A rigger buckle consists of a loop that the belt is threaded through and then pulled tight. These belts can be cinched very tightly and are generally made of fabric for a more casual look. Military-style belts often have a rigger buckle style. The belt can be released or adjusted by pressing the pins on each side of the buckle.
Click here to see this rigger belt buckle on Amazon.
Click here to see this simple rigger belt buckle on Amazon.
Clip-On
A clip-on belt buckle is made of plastic and contains a three-pronged piece that slides into a flat plate, locking the buckle together. This is a casual style of buckle and is often paired with a nylon or fabric belt. This belt is a great option for workwear.
Click here to see this clip-on belt buckle on Amazon.
Webbing
Webbing buckles are designed with a loop that the belt is threaded through before tightening. These buckles are most often found with a nylon or fabric belt. There are no holes on the strap of this belt style. Web belts are another great choice for workwear.
Click here to see this webbing buckle on Amazon.
Click here to see this metal webbing buckle on Amazon.
Military
Military buckles are designed to slide the belt strap through. The buckle has buttons that are used to release the strap. A military buckle can be metal or plastic. Metal buckles come in various finishes.
Click here to see this military buckle on Amazon.
Flip
A flip buckle has teeth under the flip mechanism that will hold onto the belt strap. These are used with fabric belts and worn with casual wear. Flip buckles are used with belts that do not have holes in the strap for a prong.
Click here to see this black flip buckle on Amazon.
Click here to see this flip buckle on Amazon.
Pin
A pin buckle is a traditional buckle. The pin on the back of the buckle is pressed through a hole in the belt strap to hold it in place. This buckle can be found on both casual and formal belts.
Click here to see this pin buckle belt on Amazon.
Box Frame
The box frame buckle is designed for webbed belts. It consists of three parts. The belt strap slides through the "box" of the buckle and the strap is secured by locking teeth inside the box. The pins on the outside of the box release the belt strap.
Click here to see this Prada box frame buckle on Amazon.
Snap
Snap buckles are formed from plastic. The belt strap attaches to either side of the snap. The two pieces of the buckle will snap together to secure the belt. Snap buckles are used with fabric belt straps and are a utilitarian style.
Click here to see this snap buckle on Amazon.
Cowboy
Cowboy belt buckles can provide a focal point for an outfit. These are usually large buckles that are meant to be seen. These buckles are most often worn with a leather belt. This buckle looks great with a pair of jeans and cowboy boots but can also be worn with dressier western wear.
Click here to see this cowboy belt buckle on Amazon.
Click here to see this ladies' cowboy belt buckle on Amazon.
Box Out
Box out buckles are a slick streamlined style. They are a dressier style of buckle. This buckle blends in well with dress pants or dress jeans.
Click here to see this box out buckle on Amazon.
Plate
The plate belt buckle is another statement piece. These buckles tend to be larger and attention-grabbing. Similar to the cowboy buckle, this buckle goes well with jeans or dress jeans.
Click here to see this plate buckle on Amazon.
O-Ring And D-Ring
D-ring buckles consist of two loops that the belt is looped through to tighten. These buckles are found on fabric belts. D- and O-ring buckles do not have a prong as part of the closure device. This is a casual buckle style.
Click to see this D-ring buckle on Amazon.
In Closing
There are many options when it comes to choosing a belt buckle. The material of the belt strap and if the strap has holes will determine some available styles. Consider the style of pants that you want to wear your belt with and the functions it needs to meet. Some buckles are decorative while others just need to hold your pants up.
If you're interested in the types of belts to choose from, read our post 23 Types of Belts Every Fashion Fan Should Know
With so many choices in belts and buckles, you may have difficulty in narrowing down your options. This post, How Many Belts Do You Need? can help you choose the most versatile staples for your wardrobe.
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