
Protecting Your Wardrobe — A Review of the Arterton Signature Garment Bag

The Styleforum Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales list is back!
Browse over 200 Black Friday and Cyber Monday menswear sales – some exclusive to Styleforum readers.
If we missed a sale, you can let us know by posting on the Official Sales Thread on the forum. We are updating the sales throughout the week so bookmark the Black Friday/Cyber Monday menswear sales list & check back often!
18 Montrose: £100 voucher every £500 spent
A Fine Pair of Shoes: up to 30% off
Abercrombie&Fitch: 30% off entire website
Adidas: 30% off sitewide with code CYBERDEAL
Akashi-Kama: free shipping with code AUTUMN
All Saints: 30% off sitewide
Allen Edmonds: 25% sitewide
Alpha Industries: 20% off everything with code HOLIDAY20
Amazon: Cyber Monday deals on fashion, electronics, and Alexa devices
American Trench: 20% off sitewide
Amidé Hadelin: *Styleforum exclusive* 25% off the entire collection with code SFBF21
Antonioli: sales up to 30% off
Aquatalia: 40% off with code CYBER40
Arcido: 40% off backpacks
Arterton: *Styleforum exclusive* for a limited time, use code SFARTERTON for 20% off
Asos: Up to 80% off everything with extra 20% off using the code FRIYAY20
Aquatalia: up to 30% off
Bally: up to 50% off
Banana Republic: 50% off
Beckett Simonon: 2 pairs for $289
Begg: up to 30% off cashmere
Bergdorf Goodman: 30% off sale + new season sales
Billy Reid: 30% off with code CYBER30
Billykirk: 25% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY25
Bloomingdale’s: up to 25% off
Blue Owl Shop: 20% everything with code FEAST20
Bluefly: up to 75% off
Bluffworks: up to 60% off
Bodileys: 25% off London and Mayfair collections with code BF25
Bombas: 20% off sitewide with code COMFORT20
Bonobos: 30% off Black Friday week
Braun Hamburg: up to 50% off Made in Italy cashmere
Breda: up to 50% off
Bridge & Burn: 25% off
Brooklyn Tailors: 20% off $0-$200 – 25% off $201-500 – $30% off $501+
Brooks Brothers: 25% off (just about) everything + Cyber Monday deals
Canoe Club: 25% off store wide with code BF2021
Carmina: 25% off a selection
Champion:up to 30% off
Charles Thyrwitt: 20% off everything with code EARN
Clae: extra 30% off with code SEMIANNUAL
Clarks: 25% off with code SAVE25
Club Monaco: 30% off everything with code CYBERMONDAY
Coach: up to 50% off select styles
Cobbler Union: *Styleforum Exclusive* 20% off site-wide on full priced items (min order $100) with code CYB3RSTF20
Coggles: 25% off select styles with code CG25
Cole Haan: 50% off almost everything
Corlection: 12% off full priced items
Corridor NYC: 25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY2021
Country Attire: at least 20% off footwear
Crown and Caliber: shop hundreds of price drops
Cultizm: 25% off purchases under $1000 with code BW25, 30% off with code BW30 for $1000+
Cuts: 30% off sitewide
Daniel Wellington: 50% off select watches
Dark Knot: 40% off with code BF40; 50% off with code BF50 for orders $199+
Dearborn Denim: 10% off with code EARLY10
Devereux: 30% off sitewide
Diesel: up to 40% off + extra 20% off sale
Division Road: 20% Off Apparel & Accessories
Dr. Collectors: 15% off storewide
Drop93: 20% off sitewide
DSW: 30% off everything with code CMDEAL
Duluth: 25% off everything
DXL: 40% off a selection
eHaberdasher: 10% off with code THANKS2021
eBay: save big with the designer outlet
Eddie Bauer: 50% off entire purchase
Eleonora Bonucci: up to 50% off
END.: sale on hundreds of styles
Envoy of Belfast: 15% off your order with code WITHTHANKS
Everything Hip Hop: 15% off everything with code BFWEEK15
Evolve Clothing: up to 70% off
Express: 40% off everything
Falcon Garments: 15% discount on all website orders with code BFCM2021
Farfetch: up to 50% off + extra 20% off applied at the checkout
Feature: 50% or more sale items
Filson: steep discounts up to 50% off
Flannels: £100 voucher every £500 spent
Florsheim: 25% off everything with code BK2WF
Fossil: 40% off 2 items, 30% off 1 item
Frank & Oak: 30% off everything with code BF30
Franklin & Poe: 15% off storewide
fwrd: designer sale up to 70% off
Gap: 40% off everything
Gaziano & Girling: 25% off stock shoes
Gentleman’s Footwear: Black Friday deals on last pairs
Glamood: 25% off everything
Grant Stone: 25% off carts over $400 with code blackfriday2021
Gravel Travel: up to 50% off
GIIN: *Styleforum exclusive* 20% off with code SF
GREATS: 50% off select styles
Guess: 30% off entire site
H&M: 30% off sitewide
Hackwith Designhouse: 30% off sitewide
HBX: 30% off
Heddels: 20% off sitewide
Himel Bros: 10% off everything
Hockerty: 25% off everything no minimum
House of Fraser: £20 off every £100 spent
Huckberry: up to 30% off hundreds of items
Hunter: Cyber Week up to 50% off men’s styles
Independence: 40% off spring/summer items
Indigenous: Up to 40% off
Indochino: Black Friday door crashers; suits from $299
iSuit: 15% off entire website with code TGIBF15
iTailor: Black Friday deals all week
Italist: up to 60% off
Jack Erwin: 20% off orders $150+ with code THANKS21
J. Crew: extra 60% off sale items + 40% off everything with code CYBER
J. Crew Factory: 50% off + 10% off with code CYBER10
Jachs: 70% off sitewide with code BF70
John Elliott: up to 40% off
John Smedley: 20% off everything with code FFAW21
Jomashop: up to 80% off
Jos A. Bank: dealbusters + up to 80% off clearance
KATO’: 50% off
Kirby Allison: up to 20% off site-wide
Koio: 20% off sitewide
Lacoste: 40% off entire store
Lanieri: Black Days up to 30% off a selection
La Garçonne: new sale items added up to 40% off
Levi’s: 40% off + free shipping
LL Bean: 15% off a selection
LNCC: extra 10% off sale up to 40% off
Lone Flag: Black Friday markdowns sitewide
Lost and Found: 20% off select brands
Loyal Stricklin: 30% off
Lucky Brand: Black Friday week deals up to 50% off
Luisaviaroma: 40% off with code BF40
Lux Gentleman: SPECIAL Luxury BLACK FRIDAY
Renew your wardrobe, the best of luxury sartorial fashion at affordable prices.
30% extra discount on all collections: Belvest, Giorgio Armani, Corneliani, D’avenza, A. Testoni , Fedeli , Church’s , Carlos Santos and many others
Use coupon code at checkout: Black30
LuxeSwap: Best of the Best menswear auctions starting on Thanksgiving night
Luxire: special offers
Macy’s: Cyber Monday specials
Madewell: 30% off with code CLICKCLICK
Malford of London: up to 70% off
Matches Fashion: up to 50% off
Mavi: 30% off select styles
Meermin: up to 40% off a selection
Miansai: 20% off entire website with code CYBER2021
Milworks: 20% off sitewide
Ministry of Supply: 25% off with code 25OFF
Mission Workshop: 20% off now + 20% future orders with code THX21
Moda Operandi: up to 50% off a selection
MooseJaw: up to 30% off
Mr. Porter: 30% off select items
Namu Shop: 25% off with code PIE
Nautica: 50-70% off everything plus 20% off $150+ with code CYBER20
Neiman Marcus: up to $500 off with code THANKFUL
Neiman Marcus Last Call: Black Friday early access up to $250 off
New Balance: 25% off sitewide
Nick Boots: 10% off accessories and select boots
Nike: extra 20% off with code CYBER
Nisolo: 25% off with code CYBER25
No Man Walks Alone: 25% off a selection of items
Nordstrom: Cyber deals up to 50% off
Nordstrom Rack: extra 40% off clearance
North & Mark: 50% off sitewide
Notre Shop: 30% off sitewide
NWKC: 30% off core, 60% off sale items
Oak Street Bootmakers: up to 30% sitewide
Oipolloi: up to 30% off
Oliver Cabell: 25% off sitewide
Oliver Wicks: free second pair of pants
Once a Day: 30% off all Accessories
Oneness: 50% off with code ONENESS
Onia: 25% off sitewide with code ONIASALE25
Orvis: up to 50% off
Outdoor Voices: up to 50% off select styles
Outerknown: up to 70% off
Pact: up to 40% off organic underwear for men
Paul Smith: 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY
Parks Project: early Black Friday deals
Pediwear: 20% off most brands
Peggs & Sons: 15% off with code FRIDAY15
Port Products: $10 off orders $65+ with code THANKS10, $20 off orders $100+ with code THANKS20, $30 off orders $125+ with code THANKS30
Proper Cloth: free shipping & up to 40% off
Puma: 30-50% off pretty much anything
Raen: 40% off sitewide
The Rake: the Rake sale up to 50% off
Rag & Bone: 25% off sitewide, no exclusions
Ralph Lauren: 40% off when you spend $125+
Rampley & Co.: Black Friday sale ongoing
Ratio Clothing: Free US Shipping, plus 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+ with code BFWEEKEND
The Real Real: up to 80% off
Redcast Heritage: 15% off site wide with code BLACK15
Reebok: 50% off sitewide with code CM50
Rhone: up to 30% off sitewide
Rhythmic Tones: 20% off CCP/ cableami/ Reproduction of Found
Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 off when you spend $150 CYBER21SF
Saks Off 5th: up to 90% off sitewide with code CYBER
Sandro: up to 80% off everything Cyber Monday event
Saturdays NYC: 25% off sitewide
SARTORIALE: *Styleforum exclusive* Our Biggest sale of the year is here: Enjoy an extra 30% off already reduced prices with code SF30, including clearance items and new arrivals. Including: Tom Ford, Boglioli, Attolini, Fedeli, Canali, D’Avenza, Colmar, Belvest, Ralph Lauren and many more.
SF members will receive an extra 5% off the discounted price on a gift card (with a $300 minimum purchase)
Scotts: up to 50% off
Self Edge: 15% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY21
Shoes.com: 45% off with code FRIDAY45
Shopbop Men: take an extra 15-30% off with code HOLIDAY
SiiZU: Buy one get one free
Skoaktiebolaget: 25-50% off a selection
Snake Oil Provisions: 15% off entire order with code GIMMETHEMYAMS
Sons of Henrey: *Styleforum exclusive* Styleforum member get an additional 5% off, with code SFCYBERMONDAY
SoSo Clothing: 35% off storewide
Spier & MacKay: up to 20% off Storewide with code BF2021
SSENSE: sale up to 50% off
Standard & Strange: 20% off last call items with code GIMME20
Stutterheim: Black Week discounts
Stio: up to 30% off
Superga Shoes: 40% off sitewide with code CM21
Tanner Goods: 20% off sitewide with code THANKS
Tate + Yoko: Black Friday special deals up to 70% off
Taylor Stitch: 20% off sitewide on orders $100+
Ted Baker: 50% off almost everything
Tessuti: up to 50% off
Theory: 60-80% off
Threads of Apollo: up to 30% off jackets
Timberland: 30% off Cyber Monday event
Toad & Co.: up to 60% off
Todd Snyder: 25% off with code CYBER25
Tommy Hilfiger: 40% off sitewide with code CYBER
Tommy John: 25% off everything
Tradlands: 25% off with code HOLIDAY25
True Facet: Holiday sale up to 30% off
Twillory: up to 50% off
UNIFORM/LA: 25% off sitewide with code BF + additional markdowns on sale items
United by Blue: 20% off sitewide and 50% off sale items
Unmarked: 20% sitewide including marked-down items
The Urban Ties: Black Friday markdowns
Urban Outfitters: 50% off sale items
Vekla: free gift & free worldwide shipping with every order
Velasca: 20% off with code BF21
Venque: 20% off
Vince: up to 30% off
Vincero Watches: 20% off sitewide, 30% off orders $500+
Vineyard Vines: up to 70% off with code CYBER21
Volcom: 30% off sale items with code BLKFRI
Watches.com: up to 70% off in stock & ready to ship
Wilson Leather: 35% off with code BF35
Winter Session: 20% off
Wrong Weather: 25% off with code WWBLACK21
Yeossal: Black Friday deals
YOOX: 30% off all orders on mobile & app
Zadig & Voltaire: 20% off sitewide
ZFactorie: 25% off FW21 code BLACK25, extra 50% off sale items with code BLACK50
STYLEFORUM AFFILIATE VENDORS SALES LIST
Allen Edmonds: factory seconds extra 20% off
Canoe Club: 20% off with code LABORDAY2021
Cavour: use code EXTRA15 for extra 15% off on discount items
Cobbler Union: Labor Day sales, up to 25% off
Drop95: September flash sale – NOS suits for 5,500 HKD
eHaberdasher: luxury tie clearance sale
Epaulet: 15% off custom shirt promotion
Falcon Garments: 10% off with code LD2021
Gentlemen’s Footwear: Carmina, Edward Green & other discounted items
iSuit: Cesare Attolini & Borrelli sale plus free tie with each suit or blazer
Italist: markdowns on hundreds of items
LuxGentleman: 25% off Belvest with code SA25
Nicks Handmade Boots: 10% off Black boots and Nicks belts
No Man Walks Alone: end of summer sale 15% off clearance items with code FINAL15
SARTORIALE: 30% off Labor Weekend
Shibumi Firenze: summer sale up to 40% off
Shop the Finest: summer clearance
Spier & MacKay: 20% off sale items with code SPIER20
Taylor Stitch: up to 40% off everything for Labor Day
ZFACTORIE: 30% with code LABOR30 off plus extra 50% off clearance items with code CLEAR50
LABOR DAY 2021 MENSWEAR SALES LIST
Adidas: 30% off on full price and sales items
Allen Edmonds: factory seconds extra 20% off
American Eagle: The End of Summer Sale: 25-60% Off
Banana Republic: Labor Day Event up to 50% off plus extra 10% off online with code BRLD10
Berg & Berg: sale on SS21
Bloomingdale’s: Labor Day markdowns up to 50%, plus extra 50% clearance items
Bonobos: extra 25% off with code BONVOYAGE
Brooks Brothers: end of season markdowns up to 70% off
Bugatchi: 30% off with code LABOR30
Canoe Club: 20% off with code LABORDAY2021
Cavour: use code EXTRA15 for extra 15% off on discount items
Clarks: 25% off select styles with code TAKE25 plus free shipping & returns
Club Monaco: 25% off new collection with code BYESUMMER
Cobbler Union: Labor Day sales, up to 25% off
Cultizm: 10%, 15%, and 20% off with codes SALE10, SALE15, and SALR20
Drop95: September flash sale – NOS suits for 5,500 HKD
DXL: Up to 60% off select styles
eBay: 15% off with code SAVE15LABORDAY
Eddie Bauer: 40% off sitewide
eHaberdasher: luxury tie clearance sale
Epaulet: 15% off custom shirt promotion
Express: 40% off everything
Falcon Garments: 10% off with code LD2021
Farherty: new styles added to sale
Frank and Oak: 20% off $100+ with code SEPT20 25% off $150+ with code SEPT25 30% off $200+ with code SEPT30
FWRD: new sales added
Gap: 50% off sale items with code SALE, 30% off everything else
Gentlemen’s Footwear: Carmina, Edward Green & other discounted items
HBX: Up to 70% off ed of season items
Hotoveli: SALE UP TO 70% OFF
iSuit: Cesare Attolini & Borrelli sale plus free tie with each suit or blazer
Italist: markdowns on hundreds of items
Lacoste: 20% off every order with code LD2021
Levi’s: Red Tab members get 40% off everything including premium items
LN-CC: end of season sales
Luisaviaroma: new markdowns plus 40% off full price items with code S40
LuxGentleman: 25% off Belvest with code SA25
Macy’s: Labor Day Sale 20-60% off plus 20% off with code LABOR
MatchesFashion: Up to 50% off select styles
Moosejaw: Labor Day sale 20% off full price items with code APPLECIDER plus up to 30% off select styles
Nicks Handmade Boots: 10% off Black boots and Nicks belts
Nike: Up to 40% off hundreds of markdowns
No Man Walks Alone: end of summer sale 15% off clearance items with code FINAL15
Nordstrom: summer sale Up to 60% off
Nordstrom Rack: extra 25% off red tag items
Old Navy: Up to 50% off everything
Orvis: last drop of summer sale up to 60% off plus extra 30% off clearance items
Ozone Socks: 30% off
Reebok: 40% off sitewide with code BTS
REI: Labor Day sale & clearance
SARTORIALE: 30% off Labor Weekend
Saks Fifth Avenue: Designer sale, up to 75% off
Saks Off Fifth: Extra 10% in-app purchases with code APPSF
Shibumi Firenze: summer sale up to 40% off
Shop the Finest: summer clearance
Spier & MacKay: 20% off sale items with code SPIER20
Stag Provisions: extra 25% off
SSENSE: Further markdowns, up to 70% off
Superga: 25% off sitewide with code 25OFF
Theory: 15% off in-app purchases
Tillys: Labor Day Sales up to 70% off
Todd Snyder: Up to 70% off plus extra 30% off with code LABORDAY30
Tommy Hilfiger: up to 40% off sitewide
True Religion: up to 70% off Labor Day sale
Vans: 30% Off for joining the vans family
YOOX: up to 80% off
ZFACTORIE: 30% with code LABOR30 off plus extra 50% off clearance items with code CLEAR50
Fair disclosure: I’ve reviewed a few products from GIIN in the past. I’ve also bought products from them as a result of my experience with the product that they sent me. I’ve written about the artisanship and the beauty inherent in their boutonnieres, and I’ve talked about the functionality of their undershirts; each time I’ve seen their products I’ve been thoroughly impressed. As a whole, my impressions of the brand have been excellent.
The Feynman polo is a shirt that has been in the works for quite some time now. GIIN—as a company—has a habit (detrimental for them, beneficial for the consumer) of performing extensive research, design, and testing for each of their products. This shirt has been a long time in the making, having seen several iterations before finalizing a product that they are ecstatic to offer.
Photo: GIIN
18 Montrose: 20% off full price items
Abercrombie&Fitch: 25% off select styles
Adidas: up to 50% off
All Saints: 20% off select styles
Amazon: discounts on basics and accessories
Allen Edmonds: Memorial Day sale: save up to 60%
Alpha Industries: up to 50% off mid-season sale
American Trench: 15% site wide
Antonioli: Memorial Day sale up to 50% off
Arcido: 40% off backpacks
ASOS: shop more save more – up to $70 off
Aquatalia: 25% off with code WKND25
Bally: up to 50% off select styles
Banana Republic: 40% off purchase
Barbour: Memorial Day sales on select items
Beckett Simonon: any 2 pairs of shoes for $299
Bergdorf Goodman: designer sale up to 40% off
Billykirk: 25% off everything with code MEMORIAL21
Bloomingdale’s: extra 50% off sale items
Blue Owl: 20% off with code THANKYOU
Bluefly: up to 90% off
Bluffworks: 25% off with code GETHITCHED
Bodega: 20% off online orders with code WARMUP20
Bodileys: 20% off London and Mayfair collection with code HOLIDAY20
Bonobos: 25% off everything
Breda: up to 35% off Summer sale
Brooks Brothers: up to 40% off selected men’s items
The Bureau: TAKE15 for 15% off
Canoe Club: Memorial day sales with code MEMORIAL20
Carmina: 10% off everything + 20% off select items
Clarks: 30% off everything with code THIRTY
Champion: Memorial Day sale event
Charles Thyrwitt: 31% off with code MEMORIAL
Clae: extra 30% off with code SEMIANNUAL
Clarks: 30% off entire purchase with code THIRTY
Club Monaco: 25% off everything with code LONGWEEKEND
Coach: up to 50% off Memorial Day sale
Cobbler Union: 20% off sitewide with code MEMORIAL20
Coggles: 30% off seasonal itemss with code PREVIEW
Cole Haan: up to 50% summer styles plus extra 20% off a selection with code MDW20
Corridor NYC: 20% off site wide with code MEMORIALDAY2021
COS: 25% off everything
Cultizm: 20% off after registering
Diesel: up to 40% off summer styles
DXL: 50% off a selection
East Dane: up to 50% off designer items
eBay: discounts on select brands
Eddie Bauer: 50% off entire purchase
END.: 15% off at checkout
Evolve Clothing: up to 50% off
Express: 40% off everything
Farfetch: up to 50% off
Flannels: 20% off with code FF20
Florsheim: 20% off with code DFS2
Fossil: 40% off sale items
Frank & Oak: 25% off everything with code SPRING25
Gap: 40% off with with code SUNSHINE
GIIN: 20% off for all SF members with code SF
Gilt: up to 60% off menswear
Graduate: 30% off
Gravel Travel: 30% off everything
Hackwith Designhouse: 20% off sitewide with code SPRING21
Haven: 25% off with code PRE25
House of Fraser: 20% off full price items with code FF20
Hunter: 30% off select styles
Indepedence: 25% off sitewide + 50% off select styles
Indochino: sales throughout Memorial Day weekend
Italist: up to 60% off
Isotoner: 30% off with code MEMORIAL
Jachs NY: 60% off everything and free returns
J. Crew: 25% off with code WEEKEND
J Crew Factory: up to 70% off
Jomashop: up to 70% off
John Elliott: 25% off Spring sale on select items
John Varvatos: 30% off select styles
Lacoste: 40% off everything with code FORTYOFF
La Garçonne: up to 40% off
Ledbury: Memorial Day Archive sale
Levi’s: 30% off site wide plus 50% off sale items with code: SMILE
LNN-CC: up to 50% off
Lucky Brand: up to 50% off + extra 10% off
Luisaviaroma: use code S30 for 30% off fill price items
Macy’s: 20% off everything with code MEMDAY
Malford of London: Bank Holiday sale 20% off everything
Matches of Fashion: up to 50% off designer sale
Mavi: up to 30% off select styles
Modes: up to 40% off
Miloh Shop: 20% off denim with code DENIM20
Namu Shop: 20% off almost everything with code SALE20
Nautica: 50-70% off everything
Neiman Marcus Last Call: up to 70% off designer sale
Neiman Marcus: up to 50% off luxe brands sale
Nike: up to 40% off
Nordstrom: half-yearly sale up to 50% off
Nordstrom Rack: 25% off clearance items
North Face: 25% off select styles
Oak Street Bootmakers: up to 30% off
Oliver Cabell: 15% off sitewide
Orvis: up to 70% off in the outlet section
Outerknown: up to 70% off
Pact: sitewide sale
Parks Project: 20% off sale items with code EXTRA20
Puma: 20% off sale + outlet with code EXTRA20
Rag & Bone: 25% off
Rei: biggest sale of the year
Rooney Shop: 25% off everything
Saks Fifth Avenue: up to 50% off designer sale
Saks Off 5th: up to 50% off
Sandro: up to 40% off plus 20% off spring/summer styles
SARTORIALE: 25% off everything with code MEMORIAL
Shoes.com: 30% off with code MAY30
SK Manor Hill: 25% everything with code MD25
Slam Jam Socialism: use code SNEAKER30 for 30% off sneakers
Song for the mute: 30% off with code PRIVATE30
Superga Shoes: 30% off sitewide with code SUNNY30
Spier & MacKay: 20% off sale items with code MAY20
SSENSE: up to 60% off
Stio: up to 30% off summer kickoff sale
Sunspel: 30% off summer styles
Sutro: up to $80 off select styles
Tanner Goods: 25% off select styles
Theory: up to 40% off select styles
The Tie Bar: up to 70% off with code WKND
Timberland: 25% off
Tiziana Fausti: Extra 20% Off sale items with code TFX20
Toad & Co.: 20% off summer favorites
Tommy Hilfiger: 40% off sitewide plus free shipping & returns
United by Blue: 40% off select styles + 25% off with code MISSIONBRAND
Uniqlo: special markdowns for Uniqlo’s 15 years anniversary
Unmarked: 25% discount at check-out
Urban Outfitters: extra 30% off sale styles
Velasca: 20% off everything with code VDAYS21
Vince: 25% off sitewide with code MAY25
Vineyard Vines: up to 50% off
Volcom:extra 40% off sale with code SLIPNSLIDE
Watches.com: up to 75% off + free shipping
Wilson Leather: 30% off leather + 25% off everything else with code MDWK
Wrong Weather: up to 50% off
Yoox: sale on sale up to 50% off
Zadig & Voltaire: sale up to 40% off
A braided belt is hardly a novelty, but we’ve been seeing a lot of them on our Instagram feed in the past few weeks; sure, it could be a sign of the imminent warm season, but it could also signal a desire for more elaborate accessories as humanity slowly emerges from months of isolation. If experts are right and we can expect the “Roaring 20s” to come back, we can reasonably believe that fashion trends will lean towards dynamic and creative styles to reflect the optimism that permeates our society.
Truth be told, in the realm of classic menswear a braided belt is as dynamic and creative as they come – if we choose to ignore fun ties and (gasp!) socks.
Even if social uniforms are getting more and more relaxed and braided belts might be something we can expect a manager to wear soon, this article will refer to braided belts as a traditionally casual accessory and we’ll feature outfits that treat is as such. But first, a bit of history for context.
Leather braiding is an ancient craft: it is hard to pinpoint a time and place in history when it started being used, but we know it was present in South America over four centuries ago and in South Africa even further back. The Moors introduced the craft of making leather and braiding it to the Spanish during their rule, and that was the start of Spain’s centuries-long tradition of leather craft. Mexico has a tradition of braiding leather as well, which was brought to California and adopted by cowboys to make headstalls, reins, and other horse gear. Ultimately, bolo ties –a Native-American neckwear style– are perhaps the most iconic braided leather accessory before braided leather belts were introduced.
The first machine-made leather braided belts were created in Italy by Manifattura di Domodossola. Originally, the company produced cables, braided trimmings, and ropes for ships, and only in the 80s did they introduce a machine to produce belts featuring braided leather and elastic material; before then, such belts were made entirely by hand.
At first, it may seem like an unnecessary frill, since bridle leather belts have existed for centuries and serve the same purpose. However, while we’re not opposed to attributing the existence of something to purely aesthetic reasons (we are all drawn to beauty after all), braided leather belts do offer a couple of benefits compared to their plain counterparts.
First, there is the matter of sizing and holes. We carefully pick a belt based on our waist size only to get frustrated when weight fluctuations throw balance out the window. Braided belts remove this design limitation, as one can simply pop the prong in between the leather stripes to find the perfect length.
Second, the elastic quality of braided leather, even if minimal, makes it particularly comfortable as some stretching occurs when the wearer sits down or moves around; this benefit is even greater if the belt is made of leather as well as elastic fabric, which stretches even further.
However, aesthetic reasons alone would be enough to justify the existence of braided leather belts: they introduce a textured element to the outfit, in many cases completing it. Below are a few examples picked from the #Styleforum hashtag on Instagram.
And here is a selection of braided leather belts in case we’ve convinced you it’s a piece worth of your wardrobe:
Handwoven: Nisolo
Suede: Anderson’s2,5 cm: Anderson’s
Cotton/leather: J. Crew
Elastic structure: Farnese
Sartorialists usually think rules ought to be either followed or broken, depending on one’s rebellious inclinations. The in-betweens are sometimes referred to as ‘a twist’, which still implies the bending of a fundamental rule.
However, we should only call those instructions that we are compelled to follow for social reasons by the term ‘rules’; these might apply to uniforms, black tie, and other functional outfits that are collectively mandatory–you wouldn’t think of setting foot on a judo mat with a silk paisley belt, would you?
Sartorial tips fall under the umbrella of recommendations rather than rules: they’re mere guidelines to make your life easier. For instance, the Italian background, is arguably the most useful sartorial tip ever, especially if you have a taste for bold-coloured or patterned jackets.
The ingredients are very simple: light blue shirt and navy tie.
It’s not about “babying” your clothes: the long-term goal of maintaining clothes regularly is to make sure the money you invested is not wasted and your material possessions will stay in pristine condition as long as possible. It is a practical and eco-friendly approach that has nothing to do with being “obsessed” with your wardrobe. Would you shame someone for taking their car for a check-up and an occasional repair?
This list is a starting point for building a maintenance kit that will serve you well as the occasional mishap occurs and threatens one of your prized menswear pieces. I am on a mission to convince people to not over launder and dry-clean their clothes, so you’ll find several tool that will help you stretch the time between loads.
Feel free to expand this list by suggesting other items in the comment section or on the forum.