One of the oldest style rules for men is this: your leathers should match.
That means your belt, shoes and watch strap should all be in the same color family.
Why? Because mismatched leathers can throw your whole look off.
A polished black oxford with a light brown belt? Distracting.
But when the tones line up - it shows you pay attention to detail.
Now - does this mean you can never bend the rule? Not at all.
- Casual outfits allow more flexibility (think sneakers with a canvas or NATO strap).
- Dark brown with medium brown can still work if the textures complement each other.
- Some guys even break the rule intentionally for contrast.
It’s less about being rigid and more about knowing when the match matters.
👉 Do you always follow this rule - or do you break it when the outfit calls for it?