Beltology: Hitting a Sweet Spot in the Belt Market

By Marla Milling July 31, 2014

Beltology — Image used with permission by copyright holder

We have seen it too many times – well dressed man, awful ratty old belt. Alas, it may be time to switch it out for a belt that can stretch and give a bit after a big meal or night of drinking and that has serious style.

Beltology has created a line of belts that are more comfortable and provide an exact fit for everyone at every moment—that’s because these belts don’t have any holes. Instead the prong passes through the webbed strap at any place that feels most comfortable.

“No one has gone after the belt market in the way we are doing it,” says co-founder Andrew Heffernan. “We’ve definitely hit a sweet spot.”

He teamed up with Anna Lundberg to launch Beltology in January 2014. They noticed the men’s accessories line was exploding with growth, but there was one item being overlooked: belts.

“Every other accessory in the men’s world was growing in double digits, but the belt was flatlined with absolutely zero growth,” says Heffernan. “That triggered us to get into the belt market.”

They have a wide variety of patterns and colors and will continue to add new designs to their website. Priced at $55 to $60 per belt, it’s an affordable way to make a fashion statement while being completely comfortable.

Sales are steady across the designs they offer, but Heffernan points to the Wall Street belt as a popular seller. It’s a play on a herringbone pattern.

“We provide a better quality product at a better price,” Heffernan says.

They’ll keep 20 to 25 belts on stock all the time and add in seasonal designs as well as limited editions based on collaborations with different designers.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marla Hardee Milling is a full-time freelance writer living in a place often called the Paris of the South, Sante Fe of the…

Fashion & Style

Rare Birkenstock sale knocks up to 18% off the iconic sandals

birkenstock sale gilt april 2024 milano sandals lifestyle

If you’ve checked out the best Birkenstock alternatives and your heart is set on true Birkenstock sandals, there’s a great sale going on at Gilt right now with up to $30 off select Birkenstock sandals. If you’re looking for new footwear for the summer, this is your chance to do so while saving a little cash along the way. With many different sandals in the sale, the best thing to do is tap the button below to see the full options available. If you want some insight and recommendations, keep reading while we take you through our suggestions.

What to shop for in the Birkenstock Gilt sale
Responsible for some of the best sandals, Birkenstock is a brand to rely on. A straightforward option for many people in the sale is being able to buy the for $90 instead of $110. At 18% off, the sandal has a buckle closure with an original Birkenstock suede-lined natural cork footbed which molds and shapes to your foot. It has pronounced arch support with a deep heel cup, and roomy toe box. The color will suit pretty much anything you wear.

Fashion & Style

What exactly are limited edition watches?

Know the buzz word before you buy

Citizen watch in ground beans

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why the rare piece of art could ever be worth the obscene amount of money the debonair art thief claims it's worth? It is simple, really. It comes down to the fact that it is rare. A truly original piece of art masterfully created by the very hand who conjured it up in their mind is something that cannot be recreated. The same kind of rare value exists in the watch world, too. There is an entire industry of limited edition watches that claim rarity rivaled only by the masterful artwork of Renaissance artists who can no longer create original pieces.

But what does it really mean to say that a watch is a limited edition? Does it truly mean that there is little chance of you walking into a party or a bar and running into the ever-embarrassing moment when your "rare" watch sits on the wrist of another...in the same room? Or does it mean they just want you to buy it quickly because they have numbers to make before the shareholders' meeting? Both are possible. As usual here at The Manual, we did the legwork to make sure are armed with the information you need before you click the BUY button and invest in a limited edition watch.
The parameters of limited edition

Fashion & Style

A day at the races: How to dress for the Kentucky Derby

Let your colors and patterns fly at the Kentucky Derby

Men's Derby Fashion with Bowties

Thanks in no small part to social media, The Kentucky Derby has become more than a horse race, becoming a major annual fashion event. Horse races have historically been social events that encouraged spectators to dawn their most spectacular finery going back to Victorian England. That tradition carried over to the States, and three races of the Triple Crown have been fashion events for America's upper class for well over a century. As a social engagement, the greatest of the three big races is The Kentucky Derby, and the greatest part of the race is the Kentucky Derby outfits. Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the fashion capital of the South for one weekend every May.

The rise of social media and "fit" culture have led to a boom in Kentucky Derby parties across the country over the past ten years. An event that used to be a niche interest to horse racing and gambling enthusiasts, along with the few people wealthy enough to attend the event, has become a national fashion event. People who have no interest in horse racing and will probably not even watch the race (there are a number of races happening all day, culminating in the actual headline race) gather together over their shared love of dressing up and partying. It has become an occasion to be seen, both #IRL and on every social media platform.