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Looking for a good, affordable thin belt (not *skinny* - but thin, as in, not bulky)

post #1 of 18
7/1/12 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

Wondering if you could suggest some reasonably priced (ie, $50 and under if they exist), decent to good quality leather belts, black preferred, matte buckle, nothing fancy, plain leather...that are thin - not "skinny".  Of a normal width, but not too thick, so that they sit nice and flat.

 

I'm always keeping my eyes out, but any thoughts are welcome.

 

Thanks!

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post #2 of 18
7/22/12 at 9:13pm

Orion Leather, mail order bridle leather belts around 40. Equivalent in a good store 150-200.
 

 

http://www.orionleathercompany.com/Made_in_USA_Harness_Leather_Belts_s/250.htm

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post #3 of 18
7/23/12 at 7:46am
Thread Starter 

Wow, these are quite nice looking belts, and very reasonably priced, too.  I'm always happy to support US/Canada companies like this.  Thanks for the suggestion!

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post #4 of 18
7/23/12 at 8:04am
I can't imagine most average flat leather belts being thick enough to be 'bulky'. After a certain point, thinner leather tends to just mean cheap and flimsy.

The usual recommendation for belts is somewhere like http://www.equusleather.co.uk, is this normal thickness what you're looking for, or are you looking for something significantly thinner than that?
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post #5 of 18
7/23/12 at 8:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apollotrader View Post

Orion Leather, mail order bridle leather belts around 40. Equivalent in a good store 150-200.

 

http://www.orionleathercompany.com/Made_in_USA_Harness_Leather_Belts_s/250.htm
Those appear to be harness leather, which I believe is thicker than bridle leather. Equus uses bridle leather but may be pricier than what the OP wants. Very nice belts, though.
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post #6 of 18
7/23/12 at 8:29am
Narrangassett makes high quality US made bridle leather belts at an extremely reasonable price:
http://www.narragansettleathers.com/belt1.html
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post #7 of 18
7/23/12 at 8:34am
I have a belt like you're describing, purchased from J Crew.
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post #8 of 18
7/23/12 at 8:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apollotrader View Post

Orion Leather, mail order bridle leather belts around 40. Equivalent in a good store 150-200.

http://www.orionleathercompany.com/Made_in_USA_Harness_Leather_Belts_s/250.htm

Look like good belts, but I've never seen a bridle leather belt that is thinner than a non-bridle. I think, almost by defnition, bridle leather - being hardier - is going to be thicker.
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post #9 of 18
7/23/12 at 8:57am
Harness is even thicker and those are harness.
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post #10 of 18
7/23/12 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 

Hi guys,

 

I hadn't even considered bridle vs. harness.  In the meantime, I have checked out Equus, and yes, their stuff is very nice, too.  Heck - considering the dismal selection I've found in most stores around here (retail-ville, Ontario), any of these suggestions look great, thicker leather or not.  I suppose if I'm ever in Toronto, I can check out J Crew, grit.

 

KObalto, thank you for that suggestion - more to look at.

 

Cheers!

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post #11 of 18
7/23/12 at 5:27pm
Actually, since it seems you've gravitated to just wanting a better belt - with thinness taking a lesser priority - you should definitely check out Torino Leather here: http://torinoleather.com/

They occasionally run sales like 20 or 30% off - I think twice a year, usually around the 4th of July and later in the year. I stocked up a couple of years ago on 4 or 5 of their belts and they've all been fantastic. They're already good price for what they are, but with the discount they are a no brainer compared to what you'll find in 98% of retail.
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post #12 of 18
7/23/12 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by razl View Post

Actually, since it seems you've gravitated to just wanting a better belt - with thinness taking a lesser priority - you should definitely check out Torino Leather here: http://torinoleather.com/
They occasionally run sales like 20 or 30% off - I think twice a year, usually around the 4th of July and later in the year. I stocked up a couple of years ago on 4 or 5 of their belts and they've all been fantastic. They're already good price for what they are, but with the discount they are a no brainer compared to what you'll find in 98% of retail.

 

Thanks for that link - I like some of what I see there.  You're right - in the last few days, it's been more in my mind that I should focus first on quality.  I've had a couple of big let-downs with mass produced, Made in China - and even Made in the USA (but from a big retail chain) leather products.  I know that such products can be well made - but you've got to hunt more, and for the most part, it's not worth spending on cheaply made goods.  Give me long-term performance and durability over disposable stuff any day, even if it costs a more (and not really that much more) to begin with.  I'm through with the cheap crap, even if it means waiting longer to purchase something.

 

Cheers


Edited by oneninetyseven - 7/23/12 at 6:51pm
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post #13 of 18
7/23/12 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KObalto View Post

Narrangassett makes high quality US made bridle leather belts at an extremely reasonable price:
http://www.narragansettleathers.com/belt1.html

I can certainly vouch for Narragansett - as recommended by others - bought two belts from them and I'm glad I did it.
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post #14 of 18
7/23/12 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oneninetyseven View Post

Thanks for that link - I like some of what I see there.  You're right - in the last few days, it's been more in my mind that I should focus first on quality.  I've had a couple of big let-downs with mass produced, Made in China - and even Made in the USA (but from a big retail chain) leather products.  I know that such products can be well made - but you've got to hunt more, and for the most part, it's not worth spending on cheaply made goods.  Give me long-term performance and durability over disposable stuff any day, even if it costs a more (and not really that much more) to begin with.  I'm through with the cheap crap, even if it means waiting longer to purchase something.

Cheers

You're only 5 months and 33 posts in on your SF membership. A post like yours is usually at the 2 year mark or so (assuming everyone starts from the same point which, obviously, isn't true). Regardless, now you're talking icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif

Take a good look at Torino - I think they're a great choice at the intersection of best-bang-for-the-buck. More expensive than the retail stores? Yes, probably by 40-50%'ish. But will last 10x longer and look/wear a heck of a lot better along the way. It's almost a no brainer once you establish the fact that the $20-$50 department store stuff is all crap.

Since I was in your shoes a couple of years ago, here's a recent SF thread on "who makes the best belts": http://www.styleforum.net/t/236145/who-makes-the-best-belts/0_100

Oh, and I'll save you some reading; if you want a belt that is all yours, practically a work of art, and created by a true artisan, check out Mark Kelty : http://www.mkelty.com/
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post #15 of 18
7/23/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by xMaximex View Post


I can certainly vouch for Narragansett - as recommended by others - bought two belts from them and I'm glad I did it.

 

Those are extremely reasonably priced.  Thanks! I think I'd seen them earlier, but didn't take a close enough look.
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Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Classic Menswear › Looking for a good, affordable thin belt (not *skinny* - but thin, as in, not bulky)