I've come to the conclusion that most fashion retailers sell low quality belts. I'm keen to find a good looking belt to complement a suit without having something which looks shabby after a couple of months of wearing. Belts which split or look crumpled within a couple of months seems to be the norm.
Has anyone had any success in finding belts which look good and last? Something made of a decent amount of leather? Happy to pay for quality, just hard to know what quality is?
Thanks all
I'm happy with cow leather… reptilian or endangered species I'll give a miss for now.
$15 from old school leather shop. Full thickness leather, re-using my old buckle from about 25 years ago. Each belt lasts me about 5 years.
Do these shops still exist (or are they generally online?) I would have thought attrition in the retail space would have taken these guys out of business
They do. Very few and far between. Don't know how they still exist, but happy there's one in my country town.
Birdsall Leather in Sydney. Bought leather belts from here to use with existing buckle. At least I know it is real leather :) Very helpful staffs as well.
Appreciate it. These look decent and price range isn't too crazy
Also check out local community weekend markets, there is one in Glebe, these markets often have a genuine leather craftsman who will cut a belt to size and let you pick a buckle.
(Agree about shopping centre belts being crap. leather dress shoes also)
I got a second hand leather (jeanswest) belt from a salvos for $6 about 4 years ago and it is still in amazing condition. I have no idea how much it was brand new, but it looks like this one so probably around the $40-50 mark.
Belts which split or look crumpled within a couple of months seems to be the norm.
Probably burnished leather.
You want full grain with burnished edges.
Nothing stops the buckle area from showing signs of wear but I reckon that looks good (as long as it's not cracking).
I don't mind the aging leather look or brass buckles with a bit of wear… just want to avoid the tacky cheap look
Uniqlo. :)
Or RM Williams
Seriously, were Uniqlo any good?
I was tempted with RM Williams with the last Qantas sale, just that the buckle was either over the top or too basic
Uniqlo is good and has great reviews.
Go in store and check them out.
thanks, will have a look
$7.99
Never even know ratcheting belts even existed!!
Love this belt. Got 3.
I use my belts until the hole rips..never buy one
Wow, look at Mr Fancy Pants over here. I tie together used dental floss to make my belt.
i go for the ozbargain deal that gets upvoted every month or so.
Anywhere from about $15 to a couple of hundred but for leather, I've started making my own as it was the only way to get the quality I wanted instead of the pleather ones that get surface cracks within a day.
Check out the COWATHER Official Store on AliExpress, bought one recently that was surprisingly good.
Tried to post a link but it was blocked as an affiliate link.
https://www.equusleather.co.uk/belts/bridle-leather-belts.ht…
English handmade, fully customisable belts.
I bought a couple of belts from them 5 years ago and apart from some slight wear and tear, they are still in very good condition.
This is after wearing them around 80-100 days per year for the past 5 years.
Back then, I got the Fillis Bridle Leather for GBP51 and the West End Bridle Leather for GBP56.
I would consider it a bargain at the time, since their prices have gone up quite a bit, having just checked again now.
RM Williams or from a craft market
My favourite brands are Dayco and Gates. Usually sell for around $40.
Scotch and Soda and Boss are both on sale at The Iconic. You can get a pretty good deal on a BOSS belt. They are known for quality apparel -> https://theurge.com/en-au/men/search/Leather?cat=accessories…
I do like the look of the Scotch and Soda belts. Can anyone verify they are decent quality?
This year I have gone from a piece of rope the op-shop lady kindly gave me,
to the shoulder strap that came with my Bunnings whipper snipper,
to a $28.08 US NAVY SEAL BELT - BLACK American Military Canvas Buckle Combat Adjustable New,
I think the rope was the best; hobo style :)
All I can say is, find a thin belt as a thick one will cut into you when you sit,
and make sure it is long enough, and then some.
If it is a canvas belt, it doesn't have to be thin, but a leather belt does; unless it is old & worn in
with age comes the spread
I wear my dad's belt buckle that he was given back in the 60's (for best cow) and went to a leather shop and had them fit a normal black leather belt to it. The belt has been going on 10 years use now - wearing most days of the week and it looks like it is not going anywhere soon! I think I spent about $50 to $60ish on the belt itself.
Go nuts.
https://www.pediwear.co.uk/accessories/belts/