Allen Edmonds Manistee Belt – $115
Also available at Brooks Brothers
I recently received a sincere message from the Chairman and CEO of Brooks Brothers noting that it had been some time since I bought anything from one of his stores. He let me know about their Spring line and included a few coupons, 40% off one item and 20% off my entire purchase. That was nice of him, so I decided the least I could do was stop in and look around.
I usually don’t buy much at Brooks Brothers (I like their socks) so I wanted to get something worth my while (more than socks). An Allen Edmonds dress belt to match my walnut Strands was an easy choice.
The detailing – the stitching and perforations – is great and the color is a close match, a touch redder than the shoes. It’s a good choice with any tan shoes, and especially ones with detailing similar to the Strand, such as the Franciscan they just introduced.
The Manistee belt is excellent quality, but before this I had never spent more than $30 on a belt. Even at 40% off this belt was still $69. Much better than the original $115, but it seems like a lot for a belt. It’s probably the only belt I’ll wear with these shoes now, but I don’t know when I’ll be buying another one at this price.
On the other hand, it’s a hell of a nice way to finish off an outfit. And it’s cheaper than some of the more, uh, casual belts Brooks Brothers sells.
Thoughts? Are belts something you’re willing to pay a lot for? Or are they something you don’t think much about?
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The Strands were my first shoe splurge, and I figured that since I was going brogue, I’d get the matching belt. I have to say that after 6 months, I’m still in love with it. Worth the MSRP.
Got mine at the last Nordstrom July sale for $70ish and haven’t regretted it. Once you’ve worn it with the strands you won’t want to wear anything else with them, and the belt works great with lots of other combos. that price is pretty much my upper limit for a belt. Mine is a little lighter than the one you got, theres some variation in them but i was told they are typically darker to account for darkening of the shoes after repeated polishes.
if it’s full grain leather, easily worth $69
Here’s what I’ve learned about belts: buying cheap ones costs you more in the long run. You wear them for a few months then they break or lose their shape.
Spend a little more and buy quality ones, care for them and they will last you a long time.
I agree wholeheartedly. While I completely understand and agree with being a savvy shopper and never paying retail for basically anything, there are some times when paying more and getting a high quality item beats out scoring the best deal. A belt like this will last years longer than something of lesser quality that’s might be at lower price.
I agree with Farhad – to a point. There’s often a huge difference between a $10 belt and a $50 belt. On the other hand, there’s often not that much difference between a $50 and a $200 belt other than the name on the label.
I think I picked up the same one. I’m still happy with it for the price.
Not sure I 100% agree. I’ve got two GAP basic belts going real strong after 5 years of tons of wear, and an American Eagle jeans/roller buckle belt (no visible logos thank you) I’ve had for over 10.
It’s hard to save on a good belt, because it’s all about the leather. My favorite one is an American Eagle I got for $30 aout 5 yrs ago that looks better than ever now. But I have paid more than that for a good dress belt. The one above looks worth the price, but not versatile enough to go with many shoe styles, so I’d hold off.
I buy belts at thrift shops. They last me a good long while. If your pants fit properly and you’re not using the belt to cinch them tightly, the belt should last.
Am I the only one then that feels as if this belt is “too much?” I mean, the broguing/perforations on the shoes are fine, but do you need to have them on the belt too? There’s something to be said about getting too matchy-matchy.
Just seems like belts are one area where less is more.
My dress belts are from a binge shopping opportunity at Coach. Let me say, I’m pleased every day when I put on one of my suits. So yes, belts are worth a hefty penny, in my book.
I believe he was being tongue-in-cheek
Whatever Joe, that “casual belt” is the shit!
A lot of people out there selling handcrafted, full-grain leather belts in that price range. Corter, KC Co., Tanner Goods, Barrett Alley, Billy Moore, of the top of my head, promising it to last a lifetime. After having a few bonded leather belts break down on me I can see the value in getting one thick strip of full-grain.
BUT, it’s a strip of leather with holes and a buckle. So here’s where I would go: http://www.orionleathercompany.com/
Lots of colors/styles, full grain leather, choose a buckle… $30-$40
I feel like the belt and the shoes match too much.
Joe and I usually disagree about this sort of thing (e.g. he has no problem with less expensive shoes, whereas I think that it’s always worth going above the $200 mark). However, in this case I agree with him: a $50 belt will last for years as long as it’s well made.
A belt doesn’t require nearly as much craftsmanship as a nice shoe. There is only so much you can do with a strip of leather that goes around your waist.
what are you doing to your belts? Ive had cheap ones still last for years
what are you doing to your belts? Ive had cheap ones still last for years
i want it t 40% off… i demand a link… please.
is this the only difference between a “high” and “low quality” belt? ive seen some at macy’s that say “full grain leather” for half the price
It does look pretty sweet, and I usually spend too much time and effort trying to get all matchy-matchy myself, with shoes/belts/watchstraps/etc. And if I had a better handle on a true *lean wardrobe* (Effortless Gent is another GREAT style site that I visit frequently), I might consider splurging on something like an AE belt such as this. But I don’t, and thus until I do, I kinda top out at $30 or so, as with my current rotation of BR belts.
I love AE, but their stuff is expensive. I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, or that I wouldn’t buy it, but… Yeah. More like “What do you want for Christmas?” A gift card to Allen Edmonds, of course.
It’s my walnut Dalton’s soul mate. Couldn’t dream of a better pairing, worth it. If not wearing with a walnut Dalton/Strand/Franciscan/Similar….yeah, its a bit much.
That Orion Leather Company is the tits, thanks! I just ordered a bunch of belts off Etsy from a dealer in Ireland, Lakeside Leathers, who hand makes her belts but Orion kinda rules and I wish I hadn’t ordered so much cause I would’ve snagged one of theirs. Oh well.
I agree completely.
I’ll third that notion.
Picked up a reversible Abboud belt at Nordstrom Rack for $20. I’ve worn it literally almost every day for 3 years (it’s the only belt I own) and it’s still going strong.
Matter of fact, it’s the only belt I have because it has held up so well.
I agree with you on this one. I think plenty can pull it off, but it feels a little matchy to me too, for my own personal tastes. But I think when worn with a blazer/suit jacket, where you see it just so often? It might look awesome.
I also find it interesting that the appropriate technical term we all use for this is “matchy”. I mean, it’s either that or “matchy-matchy” amiright?
Recent Allen Edmonds convert, and what a tragiclly expensive yet stylish situation. I went through all their belts, and this Manistee model goes with most AE shoes.
I currently have every color option on a wishlist, 40% off would be good enough for me to buy them all.
The best bang for the buck in belts (assuming you want high quality, something that will last) would be one of the many Amish made belts on Ebay. They mostly use full grain, bridle leather. And you can get one for 25-30 bucks.
Well said, Dan.
I agree, Joe. I have a casual belt I bought from Gap around three years ago and it’s still pretty decent. However, I’ve bought three other belts from Macy’s, Sears (in Canada) and another different department store that became unwearable for different reasons.
I’d absolutely love to shop from thrift stores but unfortunately, I don’t know any good ones close to where I live.
I bought mine for $70-80. Wouldn’t go higher than that.
It matches my shoes perfectly, but it feels a little thin for a dress belt and I’ve heard their long-term durability is pretty “meh”. Mine doesn’t get much use unless I’m wearing my Strands or McAllisters.
I’m fat, so you don’t see much of my belt anyways. 🙂
I’m not sure it is full grain, actually. Much too thin for most of the full grain leather I’ve seen.
Probably top grain, if I had to guess.
Your local leather shop can make you a casual or semi-dress belt. Plus fix your shoes and your wife’s purse. Shop local.
Considering you can get a chromexcel belt for $10 cheaper, (http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Chromexcel%C2%AE-Calfskin-Belt/MV00105_____KHAK_32_______,default,pd.html), I feel the manistee is not worth $115. $70 isn’t a bad price, but you can get full grain leather belts from places like Orion for $40 – 50. The perforations are a nice touch and if you feel they add $20 – 30 in value well then it’s worth it to you.
When I bought my Strands at Nordstrom this past summer I was looking for a belt to match and saw this exact same one. Tempted as I was, I did’t feel like I coud justify paying quite that much for a belt (especially just after splurging on the shoe).
I was able to find another belt at Nordstrom’s that turned out toe be an almost perfect match for the color and only ~$30. I’ll try and post a pic some time today.
Check out A Simple Leather Belt Co. http://www.simpleleatherbelt.com I’m one of the owners, and we offer custom made English Bridle Leather belts. $49, Guaranteed For Life.
I have that same belt and shoe combination, and like you I don’t wear any other belts with it. Great quality shoes and great looking belt, they go really well together.
How is a chromexcel belt better than… say.. a classic wide AE belt? Would they last longer?