You know that feeling when your shirt, pants, and shoes coordinate just the right way? You feel sharp. You feel like you can handle anything the day throws at you. Then you reach for your belt. You put it on and look in the mirror. It suddenly dawns on you.

"Crap, my belt doesn't match anything I'm wearing. Ah, well, it doesn't matter. It's just a belt. No ones really going to notice….right?"

WRONG!

Your belt is a small piece of a more giant puzzle. Without that puzzle piece, the picture can be unclear, or even worse, you get the wrong part and mess up the total picture altogether! The saying “function meets form” has never rung truer when it comes to the piece of clothing that you wrap around your waist. Your belt keeps you from looking like a fool with your pants on the ground. The other half of that equation is how well that belt fits the rest of your clothes.

We are here to tell you that your belt is an integral part of your outfit and why you should consider adding a full-grain leather belt to your collection. If you want to dress to impress, then you have to get this right! Your waist cincher is a subtle nod to your aptitude for fashion. Even with a belt, the devil can hide in the seemingly inconsequential details. Below are 3 features you should be paying attention to when belt shopping!

Keep it, Thick!

Thicker belts were once thought to only work for more casual, but we can adequately tell you that that is no longer the case. When you go thicker on your belt, you get a stronger sense of satisfaction. This comes from the sturdiness that thickness provides to the belt and your overall outfit. Thicker straps also stand out more and help your belt become a signature piece of your gear. When you're shopping for a belt, consider sizes that range between 8oz. to 10 oz. thick.

Why Full Grain?

All the leather we sell at Colsen Keane is full-grain. There's an excellent reason for that. We value quality above all other factors. Cheaper belts that are genuine leather may look sweet and shiny when you buy them but give it just a year or two (at best). You'll be right back in that department store buying another belt because the last one shows more tear than wear. Full-grain leather ensures that your belt will stand the test of time. ColsenKeane leather will provide durability and a patina that will continue to shine through the longer you have the belt. This means that your belt will age and look better and better the more you wear it! Do you really want to have to make a new belt purchase every year? Just buy one quality full-grain leather belt and watch it take on a more refined look as time goes on!

Versatility 

Now this one is such an underrated quality. A lot of us guys have a one belt fits all mentality when it comes to the different events that we attend. Whether we are mowing the yard or attending a cocktail party, we usually grab the same belt for either event. For maximum clarity, there is NOTHING wrong with this mentality. The problem lies in which belt we choose to be this universal belt. Usually, it's not a belt that can handle the rigors of everyday use, or maybe it doesn't have quite the flair it needs to have to impress at your co-worker's wedding. For those guys who want a versatile solution to this eternal problem, look no further than ColsenKeane. Our belts are 10 oz. thick (approximately ¼” thick), handcrafted, and made with the highest quality full-grain leather. They can handle the vigors of yard work and turn heads at any formal event. 

So there you have it. The next time you shop for a belt, you should be thinking about these three things: Thickness, Leather Quality, & Versatility. If you prioritize those fundamental aspects, then you can't go wrong!