Clothing Review: Wow, Leather Man!

[Flanderian]

I have enjoyed surcingle belts for at least 40 years. They are a stylish icon of the classic American clothing that some call Trad. They add a colorful but discreet accent to anything from khakis to country suits and offer an opportunity to harmonize with shirts, ties, pocket squares or even socks.

It surprises me not to find more fans of this beautiful and versatile article within this community. Perhaps it is because they have become increasingly difficult to find, and it is even more difficult to find a good selection of proper quality. Surcingle is a wool or predominantly wool heavy twill fabric. The few examples that can now be found are often cotton or cotton blends attempting to pass themselves off as surcingle, and are of questionable quality from heaven-knows-where.

I was delighted when another forum member introduced me to Leather Man where I found surcingle belts in a large array of colors and patterns with an outstanding availability of sizes. But as with all things untried, I was skeptical regarding what the quality might prove to be.

Since I was unsure of a sizing issue, I decided to call and ask. Jeff answered and introduced himself. I suspect he is likely the principle and directly involved with the crafting of each belt, all of which are M-T-0. He took care of my question and I ordered three belts. Jeff is an avid (And I suspect expert.) fisherman, both deep water and with a fly. Though I don’t fish, I chatted briefly with him about some spots where I know those who do have done well.

Within a very short period my newly minted surcingle belts arrived. I was delighted! They are beautifully made of fine materials and superior to anything I’ve seen in a long time, and made by New England craftsmen in keeping with the finest tradition. The colors are rich and will coordinate beautifully with many ensembles I have in mind. The tabs are top grain leather and tanned to deep tan. The only difficulty is that there are many other colors I find appealing but have not yet ordered. I can see where this could become addictive. But I can’ see any reason why I’d wish to look elsewhere to obtain them.

http://elizab.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=EB&Product_Cod e=01-126-surcingle&Category_Code=lm-belts

[Patrick06790]

I've got half a dozen belts from Leather Man. Great stuff.

[Coleman]

Great review. Thanks, Flanderian. I've been thinking more and more about getting some surcingle belts, and now I know where to go.

[MDunle3199]

I picked up a ribbon belt from them and already have designs on several more.

[TweedyDon]

I'll be listing a Leatherman belt in size 40 on the Thrift Exchange shortly... and lest one be concerned that I'm sullying this thread with commerce, it'll be FREE!

Update: Belt claimed--thank you!

[WindsorNot]

These belts are probably one of the greatest retail values in the trad arena.

[inquirer89]

I had to return a custom surcingle and the process was very easy and fast. Highly recommended.

[Joe Tradly]

Leatherman makes all the surcingle and emblematic belts for our beloved JPress (and I suspect a number of other retailers). I, too have at least a half dozen if not more and wear them more frequently than leather belts.

This has been discussed before, but if you are in the Essex, Conn. area, Leatherman (and their chick counterpart, Eliza B.) have an outlet, which is really just a store for their wares. It is well worth a stop. But perhaps only open on Saturdays? Am I remembering that correctly?

JB

[eagle2250]

Originally Posted by MDunle3199

I picked up a ribbon belt from them and already have designs on several more.

+1 and it seems I have delayed far too long in placing those subsequent orders. November seems a particularly fine month for a new surcingle belt.

[Reds & Tops]

Glad to see Leatherman getting some of their due. Great belts.

Thanks for the review, Flanderian.

[vwguy]

I have two of their D ring belts and feel the need for more.

Brian

[Sir Cingle]

Well, given my name on this forum, I obviously need a bunch of surcingle belts. Since I'm in nearby New Haven, I figured I'd go to Essex and check out the store. But the Web site says the following:

Currently our factory store is closed until Saturday November 28th, 2009.
We will then be open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm until Saturday, December 19th, 2009.

Not exactly great hours! I suppose I'll stick to mail order. You can get the belts at Press, but they are a little more expensive. That said, you can get them right away, rather than wait three weeks...

[Flanderian]

Originally Posted by Sir Cingle

Currently our factory store is closed until Saturday November 28th, 2009.

What's the point of working if you can't go fishing!

[tantive4]

My wife actually ordered a collar and leash from Leather Man a couple weeks ago for our new puppy we pick up next weekend (red standard poodle).

They arrived on Saturday, in half the time they quoted.

All I can say is, they are a great company!

The only thing is, she didn't like the ribbons I liked and ordered the hippos in pink!

Now that I've seen their work, I'm going to order a couple belts for spring!

[stfu]

I had no idea this maker of belts had merchandise that is so affordable. I will be ordering soon.

[HL Poling and Sons]

They're also a great source for ribbon watchbands. I have some that I believe are theirs that I picked up at O'Connell's. Great quality.

http://elizab.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?S...lm-accessories

[AdamsSutherland]

I'm another Leatherman Ltd. fan. I have a custom embroidered surcingle and some others from Press and Julians. (I haven't confirmed that the Julian's belt is a Leatherman, but it's identical in every way to my other belts).

My girlfriend just ordered four holiday belts for me as a birthday gift. She said they had forgot to start the order, which I found surprising and disappointing. However, she received a call asking the latest possible arrival date for the belts (10/20) and sure enough, they arrived that Tuesday afternoon right before my birthday dinner.

They're great and probably my most frequently worn belts.

[Beefeater]

I received two of their belts last month that I posted under the October Acquisitions thread. Awesome belts, great value.

EDIT: Website said it would take 3 weeks but I received my belts in about 7 days.

[Georgia]

I'm a BIG fan of emblematic belts. At last count, I have 34:



I just posted about them on my (new) blog. Let me know what you think...

[Reds & Tops]

Wow, Georgia. That is something else!

Strangely enough, I have a ton of plaid ties. Enough that a few years back I created the "Twenty five plaid ties of Christmas", and wore a different one every day leading up to Christmas Eve.

Perhaps again this year!

[Epaminondas]

Originally Posted by Georgia

I'm a BIG fan of emblematic belts. At last count, I have 34:



I just posted about them on my (new) blog. Let me know what you think...

What years did you go to W&L? Was it for undergrad or for Law?

[Beefeater]

Originally Posted by Georgia

I'm a BIG fan of emblematic belts. At last count, I have 34:



I just posted about them on my (new) blog. Let me know what you think...

Good God, man!

[My Pet, A Pantsuit]

Thanks for the review! I've been wanting to add a Freddy Krueger green-and-red surcingle belt to my collection for some time without going the Gucci route, and theirs looks great.

[Bartolo]

Thanks as well! Clearly my newly-a-little-trad wardrobe needs a surcingle belt, and at their prices there is no reason not to get two!

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by Epaminondas

What years did you go to W&L? Was it for undergrad or for Law?

Never attended W&L - only visited. The belt was given to me by a Fraternity brother who coached football up there after we graduated. Similar story with the Hampton Sydney belt - a gift from my brother-in-law who plays lacrosse up there. I haven't made it to HS yet, but I'm looking forward to visiting...