The Ultimate Toronto Thread

[zinc2162]

Couple of years ago, I bought Allen Edmond wide basic belts from their factory 2nd outlet but the belts are first quality. They were around USD$65 each. The quality is much better than the ones I bought from Winners in the past. They come in many different colours too. Obviously, it would have been better value if our dollar is still strong.

 

[CanadaCal]

Wow, sparked the great belt debate... LOL

 

[rwtc]

You have great timing. I just checked. I have two belts, one is from Perry Elis and the other is from RL, although it says Lauren Ralph Lauren.

I only wear both belts with matching shoes once a week, so I"m not sure what your mileage is. I for one will not pay alot of money for a belt so both are fine for my standards.

Funny enough, I have a casual brown belt from the Gap for years now and I wear the hell out of that thing and it's held up fine.

I have personally not had much luck with Perry Ellis ... a belt fell apart after a few months, only to discover it is made of this cheap synthetic material, even though it claimed to be made of leather. This is US Outlet quality. To be fair, I haven't purchased any belts from the Bay for years, so the quality may have improved. But I have tried many belts in the past, only to crack miserably.

What worked for me was getting Brooks Brothers 346 outlet belts in the US. I have a couple - they are all made in Italy and they have held up far beyond my expectations. The only difference I see between my belt and the non-outlet store belts is that my outlet belt is shinier, while the store belts are matte. They were about $45 USD when I got them.

Yeah I think one is a Dockers Belt. Just one solid piece of leather. Was about $40 and I've had it 3 years and counting.

I have a similar belt from Banana Republic - it has held up very well. Will give Dockers a try for sure.

 

[TRINI]

Back when our dollar was worth something, I bought 4 belts from Equus.

Good quality and good value (at the time).

 

[7_rocket]



I have personally not had much luck with Perry Ellis ... a belt fell apart after a few months, only to discover it is made of this cheap synthetic material, even though it claimed to be made of leather. This is US Outlet quality. To be fair, I haven't purchased any belts from the Bay for years, so the quality may have improved. But I have tried many belts in the past, only to crack miserably.

What worked for me was getting Brooks Brothers 346 outlet belts in the US. I have a couple - they are all made in Italy and they have held up far beyond my expectations. The only difference I see between my belt and the non-outlet store belts is that my outlet belt is shinier, while the store belts are matte. They were about $45 USD when I got them.


I have a similar belt from Banana Republic - it has held up very well. Will give Dockers a try for sure.

I'm actually wearing another Perry Ellis as we speak. It could be that I only wear each belt once a week so that could factor in why it doesn't break?

I'm actually looking to buy a navy belt to go with another pair I have but so far no luck.

 

[Spex]

I h

Back when our dollar was worth something, I bought 4 belts from Equus.

Good quality and good value (at the time).

I have 1 Equus belt and it is way nicer than a belt I bought from Danier. Super soft and smooth. I can't imagine it could ever crack like cheaper, bonded leather belts I've bought from Winners. I am also watching the exchange rate hoping for the day I can buy another for a more favorable price.

 

[7_rocket]

Where do you guys get your ties?

 

[SirReveller]

Have to jump in w a reco: Anderson's, avail. at Rosens.
Grabbed one a few weeks ago. Lovin it. Great qual IMO, obv, but fit two things I was looking for specifically:
- no branding whatsoever (ie vs even the tiny "Allen Edmonds" writing on the buckle etc)
- belts is all this company does.

Love it when a place stays on one product alone.

 

[Master-Classter]

Hey guys I'm heading to NYC for the weekend. Probably can't lug a pair of shoes back but if anyone wants me to proxy stuff for them within reason, message me and I'll see what I can do.

 

[rwtc]

Where do you guys get your ties?

In terms of a physical store, I go to Harry Rosens ... on sale

Steve at FCP is pretty good; fantastic eye and doesn't pressure sell. Harry himself actually named him as the best salesman that he's ever had. There are ties in the store that aren't listed online that are pretty nice tbh.

See article: http://www.profitguide.com/manage-grow/sales-marketing/best-salespeople-ever-29954

Most Rosen salesmen makes me feel uncomfortable ... which is why I buy most of my stuff online

 

[SirReveller]

Yeah the tie sales at Rosen. I have one Tom's Place and TBH it's not that bad.

 

[NickInTO]

I get most of my ties online, but I've bought a couple of Drake's and Borrelli's from Holts.

 

[Chambertin]

Almost all my ties are from eBay. I find ties so delicate that they end up with a pull or fray quite quickly.

I've bought a few online new, and other new ties I've gotten as gifts. I recently bought a Charvet while in Paris.

 

[KaleidoscopicK]

My most recent belts are through Equus, which I purchased back in February. I got them while on sale, so it worked out to be about $75-80 USD per belt. The CDN price was also pretty hefty then, so I opted to use USD via PayPal to lessen the pain.

I can't justify using them right now, since one would have to pay double in CDN to purchase something in the UK. I'm also in the hunt for a burgandy coloured belt to match my pair of Carmina adelaides that will arrive next month, so I'll keep the advice given in mind.

Even with belts I care about quality. but I cannot tell the difference so I get leery of what's out there. I may just have to give up on that notion depending on how my search goes.

As for ties: while I'm not looking for any right now, I can't see myself paying too much for a tie as I see them pop up on B&S & LuxeSwap for decent prices. I'd rather shell the money on footwear and other clothing.

 

[Cityplace]

For staple belts (black, brown) I've bought from Kent Wang and Epaulet. The Kent Wang belts in particular are very nice and thick(ish) - and the Epaulet Natural CXL belt is a great casual mid-brown belt with awesome fading/scratches development.