How to Put a Belt Buckle on a Belt? (Step-by-step Guide)

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How to Put a Belt Buckle on a Belt? (Step-by-step Guide)

Fact checked by Andrew Carnegie

how to put a belt buckle on a belt

Usually made of leather and fabric, belts are made to be strong, flexible, and durable. They need to possess these qualities in order to serve their purpose of preventing your trousers from sagging.

Aside from their practical purpose, belts also play an important role in the fashion world. People use a buckle belt as a staple fashion accessory to round up an outfit.

Whether for practical or aesthetic reasons, there will be a point where you would want or need to change your belt buckle. Therefore, it is important to learn how to put a belt buckle on a belt.

Belt Buckle Attachment – Step-by-step Guide

Before going through the steps, it’s always good to ask, “how does a belt buckle work?” Usually, a metal buckle has the following parts: frame, prong, and bar.

The frame is what gives shape to the buckle. Among these shapes are round, rectangular, and probably the most popular, the oval cowboy belt buckle.

On the other hand, the prong is the pointy part that goes through the belt’s hole. Lastly, the bar is what connects the buckle to the strap.

Altogether, these parts give the belt buckle its functionality, as well as its aesthetics.

And in order to put on or replace a belt buckle, you will need the following materials:

  • Belt buckle
  • Leather belt strap (blank or with detachable buckles)
  • Screwdriver
  • Glue (for Chicago screws)

Here are the steps on how to attach a belt buckle to the belt.

Step #1: Examine your belt

attach-belt-buckle

Before anything else, it is important to check if you can actually change your belt’s buckle. After all, not all belts are created equal, and some of them do not allow you to make any alterations.

One good way to tell if you can change a belt buckle is to check if the strap is with or without snaps. Those with snaps or Chicago screws indicate that you can detach the existing buckle and replace it with a new one.

Another indicator is the price. Most of the time, the pricier belts have straps that can be altered. 

Step #2: Undo the snaps or screws

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  • If you are working on a belt blank, skip this step and proceed to step #3.
  • Begin by undoing the belts’ snaps or Chicago screws.
  • Undoing snaps is easier compared to Chicago screws. For the latter, you will need to use a screwdriver to unfasten them.
  • It is good to note that Chicago screws have two parts: the female and male ends. The female is the hollow part, and the male part has the actual screw part. Once attached to a belt, the screws are then secured by applying a dab of glue.
  • Use the screwdriver on the male end to loosen the screw, as well as to disintegrate the adhesive sealant. Remember not to lose or misplace any of the parts you removed!
  • Once undone, you can remove the existing belt buckle.

Step #3: Attach belt buckle

  • Position the buckle next to the strap to make sure that you don’t put it on the wrong way.

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  • Slide the leather strap through the bar of the buckle. Then, fold the belt to align the holes meant for the snaps or Chicago screws.

how-does-a-belt-buckle-work

Step #4: Secure the buckle

how-to-attach

  • Re-attach the connectors to the belt. If your belt uses snaps as connectors, all you have to do is pop them back together.
  • On the other hand, you will once again use the screwdriver to re-fasten Chicago screws. Insert the female ends through the holes on the belt. Make sure that the smooth part of the screw is on the outer part of the belt.
  • Flip the belt and add a small amount of glue into the hollows of the female ends. Then, insert the male ends and tighten them with a screwdriver.

Step #5: Quality check

Now that you are able to wear a belt buckle to the belt, all there’s left to do is to check the quality of your work. Doing so can help you determine whether or not the buckle is centered and attached correctly.

Other guides you can refer to: 

Different Types of Belt Buckles

It is good to note that the steps indicated on this guide are applicable only for barred buckles. After all, there are different kinds of belt buckles, and some of them do not have bars that connect to the strap.

Here are the different kinds of belt buckles:

  1. Tongue Buckles – consist of the prong, these are the most conventional buckles. This kind of buckle is usually attached to a regular belt made of leather.
  2. Plate Buckle – also known as a Western belt buckle, this type can also be attached the same way as barred/tongue buckles.
  3. Ratchet Buckle – a kind of belt buckle that can be attached without any holes. This is usually done by clasping the strap.
  4. Ring Buckle – usually with two rings or hoops, this kind of buckle is ideal for casual get-ups. It does not require any prongs or holes and is worn by inserting the strap through the rings.
  5. Tactical Buckles – this kind of buckle also does not need holes or prongs to be worn. They have quick-release buttons on either ends of the strap that can also be adjusted easily.

Can You Put a Belt Buckle on Any Belt?

The short answer is no. There is no such thing as “one fits all” when it comes to belts. After all, there are different types of belts and buckles.

Therefore, you should make sure that you have the right kind of belt for belt buckle that you want to sport.

In this regard, it is recommended to choose a band that is “timeless” and can match multiple outfit styles.

Conclusion

Belt buckles come in different shapes and sizes. Choosing a good one, if not the perfect one, can be a vast improvement to normal belt.

After all, this item is something that can make or break any outfit that you intend to wear. Thus, knowing a thing or two on how to put a belt buckle on a belt can give you the confidence that they remain functional and presentable for a good amount of time.

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