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If I had to pick one of the most worn items in my wardrobe, it’d have to be my Gucci belt. This belt has been styled in countless corporate looks, business casual outfits and it’s the accessory I rely upon when I feel like my outfit is looking a little meh.
It has the ability to instantly elevate an outfit and is the ultimate pick-me-up. So considering I’ve had this belt now for over two years, I thought I’d share an update on whether it was really worth the hype.
Sizing and width
I have the Double G belt in Chocolate Brown with Antique Brass Hardware in the 3cm (1″) width in size 85. Curiously, this belt is from the mens line and the link to the exact belt I own is here.
Sizing and width are, without a doubt, the most frequently asked questions I receive. The belt comes with 5 holes and is offered in a broad size range: 65cm to 120cm. I’m a true size AU 8 (UK 8 / US 0-2) and I typically wear 26″ waist jeans. I went with the 85 but if I had my time again, I would have definitely sized down to the 80 or even the 75. If you read my initial guide on the belt, I ended up getting 3 holes punched in by a cobbler and I’ve since been able to wear it as both a hip and waist belt. I should also note that I did try to get this done in the Gucci boutique but the associates told me that wasn’t a service that they offered.
As to the width, I initially got the 4cm (1.5″) width but it overwhelmed my petite frame (I’m 5’2″ / 158cm). The narrower width of the 3cm (1″) belt made a world of difference. I believe it is now referred to as the ‘medium’ but it’s best that you go by measurements just to be sure.
Deciding on which width to go for ultimately comes down to personal preference. The 4cm (1.5″) belt is what I would consider a more statement piece while the 2cm (0.75″) belt sends a subtle message. I love that the 3cm (1″) width is a balance of both and allows the belt to be worn on both the hip and the waist.
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Design and quality
The design of the belt is very simple. The buckle featuring the signature marmont logo is the most *extra* thing about it. I chose the smooth chocolate brown leather with antique brass hardware which is a lovely muted gold. I should also note that the mens line also includes a textured leather option, which is heat-stamped and looks similar to saffiano leather.
Personally I think the smooth leather has a much softer look to it and after two-and-a-half years of wearing the belt, it has shown very few signs of wear. Considering its price tag, the quality is exactly what I would expect of a luxury item.
Wear and tear
This belt mainly features in outfits I wear to the office, either to lift my corporate looks or business-casual looks on Fridays. I keep things pretty casual on the weekends so it doesn’t get as much use when I’m out and about with the kids.
In an average working week, I’ll wear this belt at least twice. So I’d hazard a guess that I’ve worn the belt at least 200 times since I got it. At the time I received it, the belt retailed at $535 AUD (it’s now $570 AUD) which puts the cost-per-wear at roughly $2.68. I’ll continue to chip away at the CPW as I wear it more.
After two-and-a-half years of use, the belt has shown little sign of wear – amazing considering how often it has been worn. When I’m not wearing it, I store it neatly coiled up in one of my handbags, away from direct sunlight.
Is the belt too trendy?
It’s been years since the peak of its popularity and the hype has well and truly died down.
I consider my belt to be a classic piece and I put it down to the fact that I chose a thinner width as opposed to the popular 4cm (1.5″) version designed to make a bit more of a statement. I’ve known of a few people who loved and wore the 4cm version but have recently parted ways with it as they consider it past its heyday. I can’t say I feel the same about mine – I’m still very content with it.
I’m now in my mid-30s and I’m making more of a conscious effort to stay away from trends and curate a considered wardrobe of classic pieces. At the time I got this belt, I intended for it to be with me for the long run and I’m so happy with how it is served me so far. Given how much wear I’ve managed to get out of it and the fact that I’ll continue to wear it in the future, I don’t consider this to be a trend piece. If you are looking to invest in this as a forever belt, I would strongly recommend you consider the thinner widths so as to avoid potentially feeling like it’s a statement piece in the future.
Belts are a great way to enjoy luxury products without spending too much of your hard earned coin. Many designer houses have their own versions of monogram belts, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Hermes to name a few – though all those belts retail for almost double the cost of a Gucci belt!
And that’s a wrap from me! I hope you found my updated Gucci belt review & guide to be useful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. If you found this helpful, I’ve also written a number of reviews of my handbags and fashion bits and bobs which you can read here.
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P.S. A review of my Celine belt bag and my entire coat collection (prices and all!).
