Massdrop x The British Belt Co. Dress Belt

We teamed up with The British Belt Company to develop the ideal dress belt: one that’s handsome and understated, affordable and well-made. The British Belt Company has been producing leather goods since 1946, using centuries-old leather-working techniques to bring out the most in each item. Its products have been featured on the pages of GQ, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Drapers, as well as countless blogs and forum reviews. To develop this custom belt, we brought in members of our Men’s Style Community to help identify the most desirable materials, manufacturing processes, and price point. The result is a top-of-the-line belt to finish off any outfit, available only on Massdrop.

The belt is made of full-grain calfskin sourced from French tanneries and lined on the back side with soft, luxurious nubuck. Once the hides have been tanned and prepared for treatment at the tannery, they’re passed on to The British Belt Company for dyeing and finishing. The leather is burnished by hand to a polished luster, one belt at a time: a time-consuming process that requires a wool wheel and the know-how of a skilled leathersmith. The buckle is made in Italy of solid brass, nickel plated for color, and—in keeping with The British Belt Company’s tradition of craftsmanship—stitched in, rather than glued, snapped, or screwed. Plus, the company coats all its nickel finishes in a clear lacquer to accommodate those with nickel allergies. All this makes for a quality product that’s built to last decades.

When it came to leather sourcing, we approached this project with two conditions. First, it had to be calfskin, because this is naturally more supple and resistant to wear. And second, it had to come from France, because cattle farmers working with French tanneries don’t use barbed-wire fencing, which can scratch and otherwise mark the hides. This is a big part of the reason so many luxury brands, including Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, and Tiffany & Co., source their calfskin from France. Once the hides are selected, every one is carefully inspected until only the best remain, with rejection rates often upwards of 30 percent. Considering these exacting standards, it should come as no surprise that The British Belt Company is so highly regarded, even making private-label belts for some of the most storied brands out of Northampton, England: a major center of shoemaking and other leather industries.

"I was told that Massdrop is positioning this belt as a "anytime anywhere everyday belt", and I must admit they've nailed it on that. I could wear it with all but the dressiest or most rugged outfits, and the belt feels like it'll last long..." - payodpanda (Massdrop community member) 

"Not overly decorated, the buckle is perfect for both dressy attire or a more casual look. The rounded corner adds a little bit of a vintage style and overall it is very elegant." - ValLin (Massdrop community member) 

"I'm not a belt expert but this is far higher quality than I'm used to. The stitching is very clean, and the leather is incredibly soft - which is probably the first thing I noticed about it." - livingspeedbump (Massdrop community member) 

"...I must say I am enamored by the quality, fit and feel of this belt. The leather is supple, but durable, and it is apparent that a lot of care and detail went into this item." - StainlessOnly (Massdrop community member)