Cover credit: Rakuten
A few days ago I found myself at my computer late at night looking at belts. Again and again.
Credit: Getty Images
How did I get to this point?
I offer you a retrospective of my history with this accessory.
2013 - 2020: assumed disinterest
In 2013, I bought a LodinG belt.
Dark brown, in smooth leather, 3.2cm thick, it has a silver-colored square buckle.
The belt looks like this
I wore it extensively for the next seven years. She did me some great services, but I didn't adore her.
I see it first and foremost as a practical object : it holds my pants at the waist while ensuring a minimum of style.
In the look below, this belt has its place, especially because the shoes are also dark brown and in smooth leather.
BonneGueule shirt and jacket , De Bonne Facture pants
December 2020: slight renewed interest
Having not acquired any belt between 2013 and 2020, we understand that I had little interest in this accessory.
I was particularly unmoved by Nicolò and Jordan's sweet words towards him during their obsessions at the beginning of 2020.
Jordan: my 2019 obsessions, my 2020 desires
It was finally at the end of 2020 that I got a belt. J.Girdwood brand, I found it on the Marrkt website.
It is made of burgundy leather and features a gold buckle. I like the combination of the two.
In addition, this belt meets a need.
It complements two other pieces that I own: GH Bass burgundy loafers and a LIP watch with a gold dial and burgundy strap.
The Triforce reunited
At this point, I realize that I'm starting to seriously appreciate gold.
It has a more precious connotation than silver. It is also more divisive. But I find it more beautiful, more chic .
After this purchase, I put my concerns about the belt aside for the next six months.
July 2021: clear renewed interest
In 2021 , the idea of getting a suede leather belt arises in my mind.
I regularly wear Buttero sneakers and Velasca desert boots , both in suede leather. I realize that my smooth leather belt doesn't go very well with these shoes.
I did a lot of research, came across several interesting leads, but settled on one name: Portia 1924 .
The brand offers a thin 2.5cm belt in a beautiful brown suede and with a rounded, gold buckle.
The combination of all these elements gives it a very elegant appearance that catches my eye.
The confection is Italian and the price, around €50, rather reasonable.
However, I postpone this purchase , as I postpone all my accessory purchases
But as the days and weeks go by, this belt continues to run through my head. I come back regularly to its sales page.
In my mind, it already has its place in my looks.
So I ended up making the purchase. And I don't regret it: it suits me and marks my waist beautifully.
I'm wearing it even as I write this.
Berg&Berg cap, vintage t-shirt found at Bunker Depot , De Bonne Facture pants, Asahi sneakers
My vision of the belt is becoming clearer .
From that moment on, I understood that I appreciated thin belts.
Between 2.5 and 3cm to be precise.
The consequence is that all belts above 3cm with square buckles become, in my eyes, austere and visually heavy. I've seen too many of them, they bore me now.
My view has evolved on belts of this type. LodinG
Even my burgundy belt bought a few months ago seems thick (3.2cm) in comparison
I actually like the idea of marking the waist in a fine, discreet way and I like the softness of a rounded buckle.
I tell myself that this type of belt is totally in the soft tailoring style that I appreciate so much.
It is therefore not surprising to see that a brand like De Bonne Facture offers them.
My vision of the belt is becoming clearer but was I going to stop there?
August 2021: final blow
After purchasing burgundy and brown suede belts, I said to myself that it would be time to replace my LodinG with smooth brown leather.
In fact, I don't really enjoy wearing it anymore but I think a dark brown belt is still useful.
So I'm considering buying the Portia 1924 belt in dark brown smooth leather with a gold buckle... but I find it a little too simple.
It's missing a little something. An “ X-Factor ”, as Benoît would say.
I asked myself questions and quickly, I knew where to look to find a belt with more character to complete my collection.
What I need is a western belt.
More precisely, a ranger belt .
What is the difference between both ? Nicolò has the answer:
“A ranger belt is not exactly a western belt.
Where the western belt is above all defined by the shape of its metalwork, evocative of Americana, the "Ranger Belt" can only be one with a specific shape of belt: wide in the middle, and narrowing clearly on the ends, where it attaches. "
I like the aesthetic of the ranger belt: it has the character I wanted with its patterned silver metalwork and its refined front.
It has a bit of a "bling" side but I find that it remains discreet. Above all, it has a magical power: that of enhancing fairly simple outfits.
I don't have a very extravagant style. This kind of accessory brings a slight touch of the unexpected. Just right.
See how this white t-shirt + beige chinos set is boosted by the presence of the belt:
So I started looking for THE ranger belt.
I spontaneously think of the models offered by Bunker Depot
But something bothers me . I'm having trouble seeing what. As I dig deeper, I realize it's the thickness.
A ranger belt is characterized by two thicknesses: the one at the thickest point and the thinnest point.
The Bunker belts are 2cm at the thinnest, which is good, but 3.5cm at the thickest, which I find too thick.
Ditto for another brand that I spot: Silver Ostrich. 3.6cm at the thickest, 2cm at the thinnest.
Superb but the rear thickness is a little too wide for my tastes. Silver Ostrich
It is finally on Adriano Meneghetti that my gaze stops.
The Palladium model is available with a thickness of 3cm at the thickest, 2cm at the thinnest. Bingo.
If you were wondering: it's not crocodile, but crocodile print
With beautiful high-waisted, loose, pleated pants that I like , the result is great:
The purchase of this ranger belt has not yet been made. The price, around €200 with shipping costs, encourages restraint.
But I have a feeling I'm going to give it a try soon.
To pay me for the thrill of a very beautiful belt.
And that's not all !
I even considered buying other belts, which are more like whims to be honest.
First up, a black Portia 1924 belt with gold buckle. I find the combination of black and gold exquisite. But I don't own any black shoes and I don't plan to buy any. It's a beautiful object but I have no use for it.
Next, an An Ivy belt
I think green is an interesting color for a belt. It would go perfectly with my green sneakers that you saw above and would contrast with brown or honey-soled shoes like German Army Trainers .
But it's really not a priority.
Where to find belts with character? My selection of brands
In my nocturnal wanderings, I came across many brands offering beautiful belts.
More than I would have thought at first.
Here are my suggestions for thin belts (between 2.5 and 3cm) with rounded buckles :
- Portia 1924
- Berg&Berg
- Velasca
- Morjas
- Good workmanship
- Husband's
- An Ivy
- Poszetka
- Scott Fraser Collection, for very thin belts (1.5 and 2.3cm)
Just to show you something else: Morjas braided leather belt. 3cm and golden buckle
For ranger belts:
- Bunker Depot
- Adriano Meneghetti
- Silver Ostrich
- Proper Cloth
Finally, we can mention Ursul, a brand that you may know for their bracelets, which offers a so-called "Spartan" belt with an original and successful look.
The final word
The belt is a special accessory for me because it is not so accessory: I wear it regularly, some of my pants are wide at the waist .
All I needed was a little push for this passion to be born.
I hope that these elements will allow you to see the belt differently than through the unique prism of its color.
Its thickness and metalwork also have an important role to play.
And that's without counting the belts with different closures, notably those called "D-Ring" .
More advice on the belt here
More content on our clothing obsessions here
Outdoor, dyneema, Japanese jewelry… my clothing geek obsessions – Parlons Clothes #35
Three clothes and accessories that obsess me – Carte blanche to… Jordan
Michel: my 2019 obsessions, my 2020 desires
My passion for outdoor clothing (1/2) – Let’s Talk Clothes #45
My passion for the outdoors: brands and CSR (2/2) – Parlons Clothing #46
