For a very few, only the very best will do. These people require more than premium items, they want real luxury, and when it comes to high-quality men’s wear, nothing complements or completes a man’s attire as does a luxury, high-quality belt.
After a little research, you’ll discover there’s a world of difference between a luxury, high-quality belt and an off-the-rack belt, even in a high-end men’s store. Like many clothing items, belts can look appealing at first glance, but when you take a closer look, you’ll find things like cheap, split-grain leather instead of high-quality, full-grain leather.
So, what should you look for in a luxury, high-quality belt?
The best place to start is to look for quality material and craftsmanship and select a style of belt that complements your wardrobe and personal style. Also, look for a brand that is known for its quality and craftsmanship.
Belts are belts, then there are Tom Taylor belts, considered the best hand-made belts in the world. Handcrafted by leather artisans in the American Southwest, with a Tom Taylor belt you are assured not only of a high-quality product, but a belt that sits atop the “luxury” category.
Tom Taylor belts feature well-defined, clean-cut edges that are smooth, straight, straight, and neatly finished. They are the best, high-quality, most luxurious belts money can buy, and they are worn by some very famous people.
Full-grain versus split-grain leather
The primary difference between an off-the-rack belt and a Tom Taylor belt is the leather itself. Most leather belts are made from split-grain leather, which is the second or third cut of a hide that's left after a machine splits the hide in two.
The big difference between split-grain and full-grain leather is that full-grain leather is more supple and flexible, and has a much more polished, finished appearance. Plus, a full-grain leather belt is more handsome and more durable.
Full-grain leather is also referred to as corrected-grain leather, which is leather taken from the upper part of the hide where the surface has been polished or buffed. Corrected grain is considered top-grain leather.
The Southwestern artisans who craft Tom Taylor belts do not consider a belt made from split-grain leather a quality belt.
The different types of leather
Let’s talk a little more about the different materials used to make belts, like cow leather versus exotic leather. Cow leather and exotic leather are both popular materials used in the fashion and leather goods industry, each with its unique characteristics and qualities.
Cow leather, also known as cowhide, is the most commonly used type of leather due to its availability and affordability. It is durable, tough, and resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for various applications such as shoes, belts, handbags, and furniture.
Cow leather is versatile and can be dyed in many colors, providing a wide range of options for designers and consumers. It is also relatively easy to maintain and clean, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
Exotic leather, on the other hand, is leather from skins such as alligator, crocodile, snake, ostrich, and lizard. Exotic leather is considered luxurious and prestigious due to its rarity and unique textures.
Each type of exotic leather has distinct characteristics that make them desirable for high-end fashion pieces and accessories. For example, alligator and crocodile leather are known for their durability and distinctive scale patterns, while snake and ostrich leather have a luxurious feel and elegant appearance.
Whether Tom Taylor belts are made from full-grain cow or exotic leather, you can be assured that the material is the finest that can be found in the world.
Buckle up with the best
Choose a belt buckle and hardware that will complement your style, and make you look your best. When it comes to hardware for belts, Tom Taylor is the place to go for the finest hand-crafted Southwestern artisan buckles, snaps, and belt tips.
Tom Taylor’s metalsmiths create the world’s finest, most uniquely designed buckles and buckle sets. Our Southwestern artisans use a wide array of precious metals and stones, such as sterling silver, gold, rose bronze, denim lapis, turquoise, and more, to handcraft these one-of-a-kind buckles and buckle sets.
These buckles and buckle sets are highly-prized as works of art, each handcrafted, and worthy of being handed down from generation to generation.
Tanning and craftsmanship
Now let’s talk about the tanning process. The general rule of thought is that vegetable tanning, a natural process, is the favored process over chrome tanning, which uses harsh chemicals. All Tom Taylor full-grain belts use the best quality vegetable tanning, even on the full-grain leather backing of the belts.
Craftsmanship plays a major role in the quality of a belt. You may be surprised to discover that quality belts are glued together with full-grain leather with a backing (not lining) of full-grain leather.
While other belts have a split-grain leather front, and are backed by some form of plastic, our belts are all either full-grain leather or exotic leather. Keep in mind that some Tom Taylor belts appear to have stitching along its sides, but that is purely decorative.
Luxury quality does not come cheap
It’s true that you get what you pay for. Tom Taylor belts are relatively expensive but they will give you a lifetime of classic, durable, stylish wear. A Tom Taylor belt is not for everyone but once you compare them to other belts, you’ll want to own one, and pass it on to your own future generations.
