Which belt goes with almost everything and lasts a long time?

I'd get you a black or dark brown genuine leather belt, you'll find good stuff in your price range at Amazon or Kaufland - they just last way longer than the cheap stuff from New Yorker and look good with both outfits. The important thing is to pay attention to the craftsmanship, like make sure the seam is done properly and the leather doesn't immediately smell like plastic, otherwise you'll end up with damaged spots pretty quick. Neutral is really the way to go, black and brown work with almost everything and you won't have to constantly buy new stuff like I used to do, haha.

Basically, a classic black or dark brown leather belt in that price range is your best bet, period. I messed around with cheap belts for ages too, until my dog dragged me into a ditch during a walk and the thing just ripped. Since then I pay more attention. For 20-30 euros you can get decent leather belts from brands like s.Oliver, Esprit or even H&M that hold up way better than that New Yorker stuff was. The problem with cheap belts usually isn't the leather itself, but the seams and the buckles - those break first. Pay attention to whether the craftsmanship doesn't look too sloppy, especially on the seams.

For the color I'd recommend dark brown instead of black if you don't have many belts yet. Brown goes with pretty much everything - jeans, chinos, dress pants too - and just looks less harsh than black. Black is more of an all-or-nothing thing. For the width you should go for something between 3-4 cm, that's flexible enough for different outfits. Check online on Amazon or directly at the stores, you'll also find reviews from people there about whether the belt actually lasts long or stretches out after a while.

I'd go with black or dark brown leather too, but I'd really check beforehand whether it's genuine leather and not just some coated synthetic stuff. With 20-30 euros that's sometimes hard to tell apart, so look at the reviews carefully and search for reports on how long these things actually last. Both colors are neutral for sure, but dark brown might even be more versatile because it goes with jeans and chinos better than pure black somehow.

Guys, you're right about black or dark brown, but honestly I'd recommend going with a black belt - it just goes with almost everything and still looks okay after years 😄 With your budget I'd definitely stick with a real leather belt, even if cheaper ones look tempting - that synthetic stuff starts crumbling after a while and that's just a waste of money anyway. Try Amazon or check out C&A, they often have solid stuff for 25-30 euros, and if you're lucky you'll find something with good quality. My experience over the last few years is: better to buy one good black leather belt and wear it for 5-10 years than having to buy a new one every six months.