Good Quality Belts

I have similar moans Mick.  Bottom line is leather is not something that lasts for ever. It gets heated & humidified into a less than straight run around our bodies & becomes distorted. The buckle area also distorts & forms the impression of the buckle,  as do the buckle pin holes. 

I've bought fancy expensive belts from all sorts of places. The best I ever had - still have it - is a fancy & expensive USA belt,  it has a wide flat profile buckle that snugs nicely against a large belt area & has a double pin clasp.  The pin holes in the leather are all reinforced with brass insert rings & the area around the back has an extra leather section sewn in that provides extra stiffening.  Problem is is a great belt & I don't want to wear it out, so guess what ??  yup I don't use it regularly.  

I've settled on using 2 day to day belts, M&S are as good as any.

The newest one gets used for "best" & gets relegated to "work" every christmas when a new one arrives. 

NB:  I made no mention of oversize girths & overstressed belts  

Perry Ellis.

Unfortunately, I can't really remember where I bought it. Could have been here in John Lewis or M&S, or possibly in Canada. Must be about 10 years old, but I only wear it two days a week generally

Seems to be decent leather, has held its colour and shape without cracking, and unlike others, the holes haven't streched or cracked.

For everyday wear as part of my uniform, I do what Mike does - two belts from M&S with the oldest replaced each year. Each belt lasts about two years before it gets too badly cracked around the holes for my liking, then gets relegated to gardening duties

Cheers

Don

Mick,

I think the secret is to avoid any designer labels.

My bottom-half wardrobe has always consisted largely of Gap slim jeans or 501s. To keep them up I have just one belt, a dark brown leather single-buckle job one-and-a-half inches wide.

I bought it in New York over 20 years ago for about $35. All the holes are still completely intact. The leather looks worn (or aged) but not at all tatty. It is a superb belt - IIRC it was made by a US company called Orion Leather. The shop assistant said they were the best available: given the one I've got has given me 21 years' (almost daily) service, he wasn't wrong.

Here's the link - not sure if they ship to the UK: http://www.orionleathercompany...ther-Belts-s/119.htm

Mick,

Cole Hahn make very good quality leather goods, and no visible badging.  A bit pricey but not too bad for a man of your vast resources

Most of the other better belts I have had in the past were bought in Canada.  

Chaps

I think with leather you gets what you pay for. I spent an absolute fortune on my leather sofas and I was assured that even with daily use, the leather would last for 40 years and that I would change it out of boredom rather than necessity. The sofas are around 17 years old and still look brand new, so it is proof that there is good stuff around. You buy a leather Brooks bicycle saddle and it will last forever, so good leather does exist.

I suppose belts are just regarded are a temporary throw away and are made down to a price. I have a couple of M&S belts and they are OK for a few months and then they starts to get tatty.

I get the impression that belts from the USA are the way to go. That is why I bought my last belt from an American jean manufacturer but that was a mistake.

Regards

Mick

PS  I have just picked up the mention of Cole Hahn, I will go a google as well as on Orion - many thanks

I've a brown leather Jaeger belt that I first wore at my wedding (which wasn't yesterday) on the going-away suit. I wear it at least a couple of times a week & it looks as good as new.

A small criticism; it has shrunk a fair bit over the years.  

The issue is not solely the quality of the leather (or the hide itself), but the manner in which the belt holes are punched / cut / beveled, as well as the edge dressing (stitched, cut / beveled / stripped).

Over here (though out of my working budget), Q Clothiers seems to be pretty decent as regards mens' accessories.

Mick,

I had similar problems but solved them in recent years by buying good quality belts when I'm in Spain. The quality of leather in Spain is excellent and they aren't expensive, around €35. I'm lucky that I go out there two or three times a year. Good excuse for a holiday. 

Steve

Dear Mista P

I  and SWMBO get a lot of our clothes from a Mail Order firm called......Lands End.....you will pay a bit more than in your average clothes shop, but all their gear is good quality PLUS which i think will interest you is they do a no quibble waranty on all they sell.

A few years back i sent them back a pair of jeans that i had worn for a while. They developed a small flaw in the fabric,and TBH i was pushing my luck and even taking the p155 sending them back. Inside a week Posty knocked on my door with a new pair of Jeans. Top service,have a look at  their website.

Mista H

Mick.

Hugo Boss do some very high quality belts with discrete buckles. You need to check that the holes have been cut to accept the pin at an angle, so it doesn't distort the belt. You have to choose carefully, as some belts are made from the finest leather, but not necessarily hard wearing. Look at the coating on the metal buckle before buying, as some have a clear lacquer that flakes off after a short while.

Another tip is that all leather needs to be conditioned at least twice a year. Collonil 1909 Cream is perfect for this.  

Orion do ship to the UK approx $16 according to their website.

Steve

I am in Spain at the moment and most of leather goods on sale tend to originate from China.

I am off to a major city (Cordoba) fairly soon where there are some good shops. I will give that a try and if that fails, I shall try some of the other suggestions.

Regards

Mick

Here in the States, I've had good luck with L.L. Bean, Land's End and Red Wing. The latter has sturdy, discreeet belts that look good with jeans, the others sell a full line from formal to casual.

Five down, twenty to go. Maybe I can wear some of those belts in the near future....

Peter Belt was good quality wasn't he?

And he made your hi-fi sound better by sticking bits of paper under one of the feet.

We should have photos of this!  

Mick, try your local saddler.  Failing that look up Journeyman Leather..

You need a Tanner Bates Oak Bark tanned leather belt. Made in the only oak bark tannery left in the UK in Devon. I have one and it is bullet proof!

Mick

have a look at the belts on this site. They claim to be high quality. They would need to be to justify the price.

http://www.manufactum.co.uk/home.html

Kevin

Allen Edmonds….

http://www.allenedmonds.com/ae...amp;ps=1000&bi=0

This should help...

Dear Mick,

The best would be to get a saddler to fit you with a suitably cut to length stirrup leather. These last for decades if cleaned with saddle soap every now and again. The quality of buckles used on stirrup leathers are necessarily far better than seen on any belt, merely as a safety precaution, are totally undecorated, and compact. The best are drop-forged steel, and rust-free ...

The leather might be a bit stiff [like a new Brooks bike saddle initially] at first, but if soaped and very occasionally dressed with saddle oil would look smart and last for a lifetime in the easier role of being a belt.

Saddlers know more than anyone how to cut, stitch, and punch holes in leather. It would be relatively inexpensive as well, but that is just a bonus.

ATB from George

Chaps

When I get back to Blighty I shall look up a local saddler, if nothing else it will be an experience.

The Tannery in Devon is a good back up.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards

Mick

Mick,

Whilst in Spain look for belts in good quality shoe shops and saddleries. 

The Tanner Bates are good but very plain and expensive.

Good luck.

Steve

Steve

I am bloody boring with a capital B. I like plain belts. 

Regards

Mick

So do I Mick but I like a variation of light tan to dark brown/black.