The Unsung Hero Of Summer: Braided Leather Belt
I’ve not gone a lot of places this summer for obvious reasons, but every time I have, there’s been one thing in common: a braided leather belt. Every other year this belt has a moment or two and then I forget it exists.
This year, however, I am finding myself reaching for it constantly. Are belts back? I feel like I went YEARS without giving a hoot about them. I think the Gucci belt explosion definitely helped the re-emergence of belts into current fashion again. It’s a status symbol more than anything, but if you’re not willing to spend the several hundo on it and have too much pride to buy the $20 Amazon dupe, you’re looking for ways to recreate these looks sensibly.
About 10-12 years ago I wore a belt on and with everything (specifically, real big wide ones with elastic). I still have a few JUST in case, but they’ve been in hibernation basically since then. Actually, I got this belt in that time frame too. I was working at Abercrombie & Fitch in the Westchester Mall and we would get our discount on clearance items. This one was at our sister store abercrombie (for kids) and I snagged it in the largest size possible so it would fit for a long time.
Let’s talk about why this accessory is a must.
The Color
To me, “Cognac” is the color of summer… perpetually. It has a warm base so it really looks great with neutral earth tones. On the flip side, if you go with stark white or black it really shines versus getting lost. For bright colors, it grounds them a bit so it’s not too Easter-eggish. I find I can pair it with any accessories (shoes and purses) without clashing. Sometimes If I do multiple tones in my accessories it feels sloppy, but adding cognac is never an issue.
The Size
This belt fits PERFECTLY in standard size belt loops. I have had skinny belts and oversized belts in cognac over time, but none of have endured quite like this one. There is a reason standard is the standard! It just does it’s job! Sometimes the job is holding up my pants, sometimes the job is holding together the outfit. By not being a “trendy” size, it holds up over the years.
The Texture
If I’m being totally honest, I don’t remember if it came with worn edges or they are a little rough from being packed and moved several times. I personally like that this looks like a “matte” braided belt leather versus a perfect shine.
I prefer the thicker, looser braids to the perfectly tight braids too. For me, those feel overly styled and they aren’t as summery and less able to stand the test of time. It feels more effortless this way. And, as we know, we live for effortless at Threw This Together.
The Buckle
The buckle of this is also a brushed metallic so I feel like we can get away with pairing it with either gold or silver since it’s not prominent. The combination of the actual color with this metal makes this an ultimate chameleon piece. When looking for yours try to find one that isn’t perfectly shiny and has a lived-in feel.
Where You Can Buy One
I would be shocked if you don’t have one of these in your closet, however, if you somehow don’t or are looking for an upgrade, here are four links under $50 to add one to your lineup.
As you can see from the photos throughout the article, there are SO many uses for this item. On a muted palette outfit with white jeans, added to a flowy piece for a braided belt dress, dressing down a black on black style or adding texture to a casual look on a hot day. Let’s see how you style yours!
Love this! Thanks for the great info 🙂