Reversible Belts: godsend or garbage?

Most of us have at least toyed with the idea of buying a reversible belt at one time or another. The idea that you can go from wearing black shoes at work and then switch to brown shoes with jeans for the evening is attractive. So, if one belt will do both it seems like a no brainer. There are a few issues though and this article should help you decide if a reversible belt is something you want to add to your wardrobe.

First off they don't last as long as most regular style belts. The same mechanism that allows the buckle to flip also creates a weak point in the design. This makes it really important not to wear this type of belt two days in a row. Wearing leather goods for multiple days does not allow the leather to shrink back to its original size. Therefore if you wear the same belt multiple days in a row you are stretching the leather to its maximum and putting even more pressure on the buckle. The only possible exception to this rule is if you are packing for vacation and really need to conserve space in your suitcase. At that point it may make sense to wear the one reversible belt that will give you the most options on your trip.

Another typical problem is that reversible styles tend to be far more casual than most dress style belts. Reversible belts are not the choice for formal occasions like weddings and black tie dinners. 

The final issue arises if you wear the belt significantly more often displaying one side rather than splitting your days between both sides. Uneven wear can create shapes in the leather that are hard to overcome when you decide to reverse it.

If you think these issues pale in comparison to the benefits of a reversible belt, then by all means go out and grab one. Either way, at least you are making an informed decision.