I guess I like belts. After 10 years of CC-ing, I no longer own a belt that isn't a gun belt. I've tried Aker, Beltman, DeSantis and Wilderness Tactical. So I'm pretty well covered for almost whatever I want to wear. Almost. From my perspective, getting to wear cargo pants & a cover garment is a bit of a luxury when it comes to CC. Five days per week, I'm at least in 'business casual,' meaning khakis and a button-down shirt. At least. Three or four days per week, I'm in a suit. It's not often that I have to throw on a jacket and go to court, but it does happen.
For about 7-8 years, I've used my DeSantis Econobelt as a dress belt for whenever I needed a black belt. Unfortunately, the last couple of suits I bought have belt loops that are just barely big enough to get it through. When I try to holster up in the mornings, I wind up looking like I've been playing drunken Twister. My zipper ends up on one hip, one front pocket behind my back . . . You get the picture. And yes, I took the Econobelt with me when I tried on the suits. It was fine for my last few suits and I thought it would work out OK, but it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped.
Anyway, the Econobelt is a 1.5" belt, so I went on the hunt for a 1.25" belt. I wanted something plain, something nondescript, something . . . incognito. No basketweave, no western patterns, just a plain, black leather belt that would discreetly hold up a S&W Shield Plus and 2 spare mags under a suit jacket.
After making The Spats McGee Long List (tm), and narrowing it to The Spats McGee Short List (tm), and a quick consult with my Overthinkers Anonymous sponsor (who was no help whatsoever), I ordered a Daltech Italian Leather Steel Core Dress Belt. Here's the description from Daltech:
Do I really need a steel core to hold up a Shield Plus & a couple of mags? Probably not, but I've been curious about the steel core belts for a while, and most of the 1.25" belts still looked awfully thick to be threaded through the belt loops on a suit.
First impressions: Good. My belt just arrived yesterday, so I haven't had a ton of time to examine it. With that said, the edges are smooth, the color is even, and the stitching looks good. Putting it on the first time felt a little strange, as it 'behaves' a little differently than the belts I have with a kydex insert. I didn't exactly run a marathon in my suit, but it was certainly comfortable enough between the house and the car. So far, so good.
I expect to wear this belt quite a bit. Hopefully, I'll remember this thread and come back to update it from time to time to see how this belt holds up.
For about 7-8 years, I've used my DeSantis Econobelt as a dress belt for whenever I needed a black belt. Unfortunately, the last couple of suits I bought have belt loops that are just barely big enough to get it through. When I try to holster up in the mornings, I wind up looking like I've been playing drunken Twister. My zipper ends up on one hip, one front pocket behind my back . . . You get the picture. And yes, I took the Econobelt with me when I tried on the suits. It was fine for my last few suits and I thought it would work out OK, but it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped.
Anyway, the Econobelt is a 1.5" belt, so I went on the hunt for a 1.25" belt. I wanted something plain, something nondescript, something . . . incognito. No basketweave, no western patterns, just a plain, black leather belt that would discreetly hold up a S&W Shield Plus and 2 spare mags under a suit jacket.
After making The Spats McGee Long List (tm), and narrowing it to The Spats McGee Short List (tm), and a quick consult with my Overthinkers Anonymous sponsor (who was no help whatsoever), I ordered a Daltech Italian Leather Steel Core Dress Belt. Here's the description from Daltech:
Do I really need a steel core to hold up a Shield Plus & a couple of mags? Probably not, but I've been curious about the steel core belts for a while, and most of the 1.25" belts still looked awfully thick to be threaded through the belt loops on a suit.
First impressions: Good. My belt just arrived yesterday, so I haven't had a ton of time to examine it. With that said, the edges are smooth, the color is even, and the stitching looks good. Putting it on the first time felt a little strange, as it 'behaves' a little differently than the belts I have with a kydex insert. I didn't exactly run a marathon in my suit, but it was certainly comfortable enough between the house and the car. So far, so good.
I expect to wear this belt quite a bit. Hopefully, I'll remember this thread and come back to update it from time to time to see how this belt holds up.
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