[CLTesquire]

The title is self-explanatory. I need a new brown dress belt and a new burgundy dress belt. There appear to be millions of options and I'm having difficulty discerning what is a quality belt and what is not. There appear to be some nice ones from W. Kleinburg, Barker, and Crockett & Jones, all of which are at or below the $150 USD mark. Anyone have any experience with any of these? (I'm avoiding Allen Edmonds belts for personal reasons.) What qualities should I be looking for?

Further along the spectrum, Equus has some super nice looking handmade calfskin belts but they are closer to $400+. Yikes. I'm looking for something a little dressier than their standard bridle belts, which just seem a bit more casual than what I'm looking for. If you have a differing opinion based on experience please let me know b/c I'd love to hear it.

 

[FLMike]

I don't know about any of the makers you listed, but O'Connell's has some nice quality dress belts that are very well-priced at $65-$85. They even come with interchangeable brass and nickel buckles.

https://www.oconnellsclothing.com/Dress-Belts/

Also, you've piqued my curiousity about AE....care to share your personal reasons?

 

[CLTesquire]

I don't know about any of the makers you listed, but O'Connell's has some nice quality dress belts that are very well-priced at $65-$85. They even come with interchangeable brass and nickel buckles.

https://www.oconnellsclothing.com/Dress-Belts/

Also, you've piqued my curiousity about AE....care to share your personal reasons?

Without turning this into a bash AE thread, I've just had enough issues with AE shoes failing in some way that I don't want to do business with them anymore.

Thanks for the tip on the belts from O'Connells. I had looked at them last night. For the life of me I cannot figure out why one belt costs $65 while another costs $120.

 

[Atlanta Fop]

No experience with the brands you've listed, but may I suggest Trafalgar belts as well. I own several colors of their Cortina dress belts and they have held up remarkably well over the last few years. If the Cortina isn't of interest, they have several other styles from which to choose. Best of luck!

 

[fishertw]

I bought an Alden calf belt in black a while back and it has worked out very well.

 

[winghus]

Without turning this into a bash AE thread, I've just had enough issues with AE shoes failing in some way that I don't want to do business with them anymore.

Thanks for the tip on the belts from O'Connells. I had looked at them last night. For the life of me I cannot figure out why one belt costs $65 while another costs $120.

$65 calfskin lined with saddle leather
$120 Venetian calf lined with glove leather

Whether or not these differences are worth the price increase, that's the reason for it.

 

[scottfranklin]

@CLTesquire what did you end up going with? I'm in a very similar situation: looking for brown + oxblood. Tempted by Paul Evans (https://www.paulevansny.com/collections/italian-leather-belt) to match my shoes, but I'm also having trouble figuring out what is quality/fair price.

 

[richard warren]

I like Trafalgar compression buckles and belts. Can be tightened just right to keep pants in right place. The silver plated brass is affordable.

 

[CLTesquire]

@CLTesquire what did you end up going with? I'm in a very similar situation: looking for brown + oxblood. Tempted by Paul Evans (https://www.paulevansny.com/collections/italian-leather-belt) to match my shoes, but I'm also having trouble figuring out what is quality/fair price.

I went with this one:

I've been very pleased. The quality is very high. I've since purchased an alligator belt from W. Kleinberg as well.

 

[eagle2250]

^^
Very nice choice. Did you purchase it in the lighter tan hue?

 

[kev'n]

I'm no expert on sartorial style but I ran across an article that speaks to "side tabs" verses a belt on trousers to allow for flow of the outfit as the belt would cause a break in the viewing of the outfit. Does this really matter?

 

[Matt S]

I'm no expert on sartorial style but I ran across an article that speaks to "side tabs" verses a belt on trousers to allow for flow of the outfit as the belt would cause a break in the viewing of the outfit. Does this really matter?

I'm all for side adjusters over a belt in just about even scenario. The more formal the outfit the less I want a belt.

 

[kev'n]

I can see were this may come into play especially when the classical attire for men has been shoe and belt match.

 

[Matt S]

I can see were this may come into play especially when the classical attire for men has been shoe and belt match.

More classical is braces with a suit rather than a belt. The leather ends of the braces match the shoes.

 

[kev'n]

I would think this speaks to the trad who requires the matching aspect to bleed through and the sartorial who requires the aesthetics to be visually pleasing. I didn't really think it would matter much; very glad to be apart of this academic forum.

 

[CLTesquire]

^^
Very nice choice. Did you purchase it in the lighter tan hue?

Ha. Nope. Thought the link was linked to the one I did purchase, which was the "wine" flavor.

 

[scottfranklin]

I'm down to two choices and have a color vs. buckle question. I really love the color on this Paul Evans oxblood belt but I think it would look better with a gold/brass buckle. This O'Connnell's burgundy belt has inter-changeable buckles (great!) but not as nice a color. I have the Evans oxblood chukkas so that belt is a perfect match, but I tend to wear it with brass/gold accessories, not silver.

So: which is more important: belt leather color or buckle? Or is swapping the buckle on the Evans belt a possibility?

 

[FLMike]

I'm down to two choices and have a color vs. buckle question. I really love the color on this Paul Evans oxblood belt but I think it would look better with a gold/brass buckle. This O'Connnell's burgundy belt has inter-changeable buckles (great!) but not as nice a color. I have the Evans oxblood chukkas so that belt is a perfect match, but I tend to wear it with brass/gold accessories, not silver.

So: which is more important: belt leather color or buckle? Or is swapping the buckle on the Evans belt a possibility?

I'd say neither is of critical importance, so I suggest going with whichever factor holds the greatest import for you personally.

 

[eagle2250]

I'm no expert on sartorial style but I ran across an article that speaks to "side tabs" verses a belt on trousers to allow for flow of the outfit as the belt would cause a break in the viewing of the outfit. Does this really matter?

I am not one inclined to judge the flow of a rig on the basis of one's choice of belt, braces or side-tabs. Side tabs are comfortable, but less flexible and less forgiving in their application than either a belt or braces. Braces are arguably more comfortable to use than a belt, particularly for the fellow wearing a few extra pounds around his belly, and can be viewed as a bit more formal. However, for many of us a belt is just so damn convenient and good at what they were designed for that it is our 'girth cinch' of choice to keep our trousers from puddling around our ankles. Listen to your gut on this one.

 

[kev'n]

I am not one inclined to judge the flow of a rig on the basis of one's choice of belt, braces or side-tabs. Side tabs are comfortable, but less flexible and less forgiving in their application than either a belt or braces. Braces are arguably more comfortable to use than a belt, particularly for the fellow wearing a few extra pounds around his belly, and can be viewed as a bit more formal. However, for many of us a belt is just so damn convenient and good at what they were designed for that it is our 'girth cinch' of choice to keep our trousers from puddling around our ankles. Listen to your gut on this one.

...great choice of words to make the point to which I do concur.