My site is newly remodeled and I can finally start posting about some of my favorite things. I’m heavily into men’s fashion, and I’m a firm believer in sticking to certain brands for certain things. So when I nail something, I have to tell everyone about it:
Anson. Belts. Are. Insane.
Anson Belt & Buckle is a homegrown father/son business out of North Carolina—the heart of the American textile industry. Founded in 2009, they were born out of every man’s sartorial frustration: choosing between a belt hole that’s too lose, and one that’s too tight. Frank Ferree discovered “micro-adjustable belts” during a trip to Asia, featuring leather teeth instead of holes, an interchangeable buckle with a locking mechanism, and a universal strap meant to be cut to your desired length. He knew this would be a game changer for American men, and with the help of his son David, Anson Belt & Buckle was born.
Like many of my favorite things (I should dedicate a page to that…), I discovered Anson Belt & Buckle on Instagram just before deleting most of my social media in early 2021, already in need of all-new belts. Anson Belts offer nearly 200 styles of straps in formal and casual widths, made from materials ranging from canvas and microsuede, to Italian calfskin and crocodile. They have nearly 100 buckles to compliment those widths in finishes from onyx to gold, and they also sell complete belts, women’s pieces and an exceedingly handy hanger for your straps.
Where they get you, though, is with the box set. The box sets offer a cumulative price cheaper than individual pieces, where you choose your width—1.25” for a more formal look, 1.5” for a more casual style, or both—then the corresponding strap and buckle selection. You have the option of three straps and two buckles, with the option of a third buckle for $15 marked down from $25. Though it’s usually a risk buying a package deal when experimenting with a brand, the box set, for a total Anson Belt n00b, is mandatory.
Here’s why:
When you first get your box set, it comes in postal packaging, then tissue, and then a rather luxurious purple and white box with the Anson Belt & Buckle logo embossed in gloss. There are six slots: three for belts and three for buckles. I stupidly, stupidly forwent that third buckle, sticking with black, cognac and oxblood belts to my match shoes, and silver and antique gold buckles to match jewelry. I knew in my gut that I should’ve gotten the gold buckle as well…but I honestly wasn’t expecting these products to be this amazing. I really wasn’t.
Anson Belt straps come in a 55” length, and can fit up to a 50” waist with the customary 5” remnant. The buckle, through a latch system, clamps on to the unfinished end of the strap—the locking teeth on the back of the strap are 1/4” apart, allowing for utmost flexibility through the day, especially after a nice meal—and all it takes is a pair of household scissors to cut it to your desired length. The company has tutorials on how to use this BRILLIANTLY-engineered belt system, and let me tell you, I cannot fathom going back belt holes. The latch system alone will change your life.
From the smell and feel of the belts out of the box, to the polish of the buckles, to the engineering overall, I’ve since recommended Anson Belt & Buckle to so many people. I actually bought my first set in April 2021 and after constant wear of all three belts, they’re still holding up better than any other belt I’ve owned. I also got the handy belt hanger along with to help them keep their shape, and without a doubt, the products of Anson Belts are an essential, as well as an easy and affordable gift for any man (or woman) in your life…even one that’s hard to please.
I plan to pick up at least another three buckles.
