Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
If you’ve ever known the feeling of adding more holes to a leather belt, you might also know the feeling of either a very successful or unsuccessful diet plan. Unless you have a leather punch on hand, it can be a tedious process. But what if there was a belt that was *all holes* to make for a truly one-size-fits-all pant-cinching experience?
We don’t have to wonder, that miracle exists, and it is the braided belt. Shove the prong anywhere along the belt and you’ll find purchase. And below you’ll find five options for purchase, including one more that’s got a little something extra woven in.
1) Bleu de Chauffe: Manille Braided Leather Belt
If you’re looking for a beautiful, casual Braided Leather Belt then look further than Bleu de Chauffe. Available in multiple, classic colorways these belts come in at 35mm wide making them a great choice for jeans or casual chinos. They’re finished with a unique buckle that I’m sure will be rather divisive, but if you like it as much as me it’s a very tempting option.
Available for $124 from Bleu de Chauffe.
2) Corridor: Braided Leather Belt
Corridor’s Braided Leather Belt comes in a both black and brown colorways, both featuring a brass buckle, but the latter is the real standout of the two. Featuring mixed brown hues, this belt is easy to dress up while still being appropriate with your favorite pair of raws. It’s made in India at an ethically chosen workshop, the details of which can be read about on the shop page.
Available for $135 from Corridor.
3) Beams Plus: Leather Mesh Belt Brown
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Beam Plus’ Leather Mesh Belt is definitely more on the refined end of things, and we’re all for it! The woven strains come together at the end-cut, showing that this belt is made from a single piece of leather other than the strap keep and connection to the buckle. It’s finished with an understated brass buckle and that makes this a great choice with your favorite pair of slacks or chinos, although I can’t imagine I’d skip putting it on with my favorite pair of jeans either.
Available for $148 from Lost & Found.
4) Opus: Woven Belt Black
Opus’ Woven Belt is definitely on the chunkier side of things with its three strand design and garrison buckle, but if you’re a fan of these details it’s an excellent piece. The natural edge color of the leather matches very well with the hues of the buckle, which tie together the black/brown tones beautifully. It features the single-strap cutting technique, as seen at the non-buckle end, but the smaller number of strips really helps make this piece more casual.
Available for $180 from Clutch Cafe.
5) American Trench: Hand Stitched Leather Belt
American Trench’s Hand Stitched Leather Belt takes a unique approach to the woven belt design with a stitching only within the very center of the belt. While the belt is very wide and you’re unlikely to wear it with anything but jeans and perhaps a pair of chinos, the design really helps this belt to add some refined details to casual outfit. Perfect for pairing with your favorite penny loafers or bluchers, this belt is finished with a brilliantly designed buckle that minimizes leather deformation at the primarily used belt hole.
Available for $120 from American Trench.
Plus One – Kuon: Leather Belt Sakiori Trim Brown/Forest Green
American Trench’s belt almost eked out the coveted Plus One spot this week, but Kuon’s piece was just too special. Their Sakiori Trim leather belt is pieced together with various woven textiles, and while this belt is not purely leather it does have a full leather strap. Ordinarily this isn’t the kind of belt I think most would grab for daily wear, but the blue/green hues will really help to blend in with your favorite raws or set off a great pair of casual chinos.
Available for $215 from Clutch Cafe.
