[rbstc123]

Is it really necessary to pay $50 - $100 for a calfskin belt?
I need several new belts and I was wondering what most of my AAAC forum friends do.

Retail?
Closeout (tj max etc.)?
Custom?

Is there really a difference in the leather used in more expensive belts?

Shoes I will pay top dollar for but a belt is easily replaceable at a very low cost. Plus it is not put through as much as shoes are (or at least mine is not).

Thoughts?
Input?

Thanks so much!

 

[radisri]

I've purchased several from Land's Ends for $30 and a few from closeout places.

 

[brokencycle]

Is it really necessary to pay $50 - $100 for a calfskin belt?
I need several new belts and I was wondering what most of my AAAC forum friends do.

Retail?
Closeout (tj max etc.)?
Custom?

Is there really a difference in the leather used in more expensive belts?

Shoes I will pay top dollar for but a belt is easily replaceable at a very low cost. Plus it is not put through as much as shoes are (or at least mine is not).

Thoughts?
Input?

Thanks so much!

AE shoebanks you can typically get them for $50 or less.

 

[Bracemaker]

Ours JUST come under the $50, have solid brass buckles and are lined with nubuck leather.
https://www.albertthurston.com/categoryfast2.cfm?catid=3

Shhhh - keep the noise down or the powers that be will chuck me out for blatant advertising...

 

[eagle2250]

There are a lot of straps out there, cheaply made and constructed of materials just one grade above garbage. However, a serviceable belt can certainly be had, for $30 or less, by shopping wisely and 'cherry picking' the bargain racks. Indeed, the thrill can be in the hunt!

 

[cglex]

Yes, anything less looks cheap and is cheap.

 

[cpac]

one bit of advice - look for a belt that has been stitched together rather than glued. They last infinitely longer that way.

 

[Bracemaker]

one bit of advice - look for a belt that has been stitched together rather than glued. They last infinitely longer that way.

Actually they should be both - glued first, then sewn.

 

[The Louche]

I almost always go the TJ Max/Marshall's/Filene's Basement route for belts. I too dislike the idea of spending $100+ on a belt because I am required to clip an ID to my dress belts when at work. The clip ineveitably will wear out the belt - cheap or expensive - so I won't pay too much. If you are dilligent, you can find very passable belts for ~$30 at the types of establishments I have mentioned above. Mine will usually give me about a year or so of service. Another option is Banana Republic. They have belts at a variety of quality levels - some disgustingly cheap, but some pretty decent. I'm wearing one of the decent ones right now that I paid about 50 bucks for. It does the trick.

 

[ChicagoMediaMan-27]

I almost always go the TJ Max/Marshall's/Filene's Basement route for belts. I too dislike the idea of spending $100+ on a belt because I am required to clip an ID to my dress belts when at work. The clip ineveitably will wear out the belt - cheap or expensive - so I won't pay too much. If you are dilligent, you can find very passable belts for ~$30 at the types of establishments I have mentioned above. Mine will usually give me about a year or so of service. Another option is Banana Republic. They have belts at a variety of quality levels - some disgustingly cheap, but some pretty decent. I'm wearing one of the decent ones right now that I paid about 50 bucks for. It does the trick.

I'm in the same boat. I also have to clip an ID to my belt for work and I have noticed that it tends to wear them out more often. For this reason, I rarely spend more than $30 on a belt.

 

[Snap]

I find the Perry Ellis Portfolio belts on eBay to be very, very serviceable for $25 belts. Exactly what I look for in a belt.

 

[jamgood]

Poke around Maxx/Marshalls in the $20-30 range. Retail price tags are often sewn on the interior near the buckle. Look for quality, on edge-sewn belts look for short stitches.

Might consider these Amish made bridle leather casual belts @$25 each > www.lehmans.com > personal care > clothing

 

[Xhine23]

I haven't spent over $30 for a belt. I usually stop by the Rack they have AE's, Tumi (if you are a fan), trafalgar and Martin Dingman all for below $40.

 

[dfloyd]

I haven't worn a belt in nearly 30 years ....

where do you clip your ID in this case? Glad I never worked anywhere a clip-on ID was required.

 

[Siggy]

I hate crappy belts, like most that are $30. They look like sh... after a few wearings. I bought a leather belt at a market in Florence Italy and have worn it almost every other day for 15 years. Still looks almost new! (I wish I had bought many more). I recently bought two quality leather belts from a German leather company for over $100 each and I expect them to last me another 20 years.

 

[jamgood]

I hate crappy belts, like most that are $30. They look like sh... after a few wearings. I bought a leather belt at a market in Florence Italy and have worn it almost every other day for 15 years. Still looks almost new! (I wish I had bought many more). I recently bought two quality leather belts from a German leather company for over $100 each and I expect them to last me another 20 years.

www.leatherschool.it

(There's nothing cheap about those Amish bridle leather belts and they'd probably survive the purchaser.)

 

[mandatory]

I've worn a RL Polo belt I bought at TJ Maxx but I'm unsatisifed with it.

Yesterday, I bought an alligator belt from SierraTradingPost, so we'll see how it looks when I got it. With 25% off and shipping it came to around $160. MS Live cashback should give me another $25 off.

 

[The Louche]

where do you clip your ID in this case? Glad I never worked anywhere a clip-on ID was required.

DFloyd,

I clip mine to the right hand side, above my (slash) pocket. This way it is completely hidden when my jacket is on, and is less obtrusive than if I had clipped it to the right of my fly as most of the more slovenly workers do.

Do you not wear belts b/c you have side tab trousers? I like side tab trousers, but my tailor's side tabs can only be tightened, not loosened. I think this defeats the purpose of them a bit so I haven't gotten any yet (although they are admittedly 10x better looking than those I've seen that can be adjusted both ways IMO)

 

[rbstc123]

Thanks

Thank you for all the responses. They were all great. I didn't think that many people shelled out a ton of money for belts and it seems by all the responses I was correct. Eventually I would like to have a shell cordovan belt and I know I will pay dearly for that. Thanks again!

 

[stfu]

DFloyd,

I clip mine to the right hand side, above my (slash) pocket. This way it is completely hidden when my jacket is on, and is less obtrusive than if I had clipped it to the right of my fly as most of the more slovenly workers do.

Do you not wear belts b/c you have side tab trousers? I like side tab trousers, but my tailor's side tabs can only be tightened, not loosened. I think this defeats the purpose of them a bit so I haven't gotten any yet (although they are admittedly 10x better looking than those I've seen that can be adjusted both ways IMO)

I guess I am one of the slovenly ones, as my required badge is placed on the front of my right hip. The purpose, as stated by the company, IS for it to be seen. I typically do not wear a suit, otherwise I think it would be obstructed. Either way, on the waist is infinitely better than hanging from a lanyard around the neck.

As to the ruining of belts, I recently seem to be making the decision to ruin trousers instead by clipping the badge to the belt loops themselves. I have seen no wear yet, but I am sure it will happen.