Signature Item: The Olive Surcingle Belt

I have mentioned my “uniform” in the past. It consists of a blue OCBD, British khaki chinos, penny loafers, and one other item.  Now I will admit that I have a strong preference for blue OCBDs, but I don’t think that it is any stronger than my preference for this item. The other item is a surcingle belt. Not just any surcingle belt, but an olive green belt.
Madras Shirt & Olive SurcingleOlive Surcingle with TweedI remember picking out this olive green belt thinking how versatile it would be. It did not dissapoint. I wear this belt with my everyday uniform, my blue blazer and ties, and tweeds as well. It works so well that I wear it 99% of the time. I often have to force myself to wear another belt. Even other solid surcingle belts.

I recently had to replace this belt. It was starting to look rough. I re-purchased the same belt. An olive green surcingle from Leather Man LTD. I did make one change. This time I went with the feathered edge with brown stitch instead of the standard tab. I am glad that I did. It adds a little more sophistication.

The olive surcingle may not become everyone’s “signature,” but it is definitely a surcingle color to invest in. I have tried other colors including navy and tan both of which are both solid options, but navy can be challenging with a navy blazer and tan can cause monochromatic concerns. Olive has proven itself  again and again. There are lots of places to get an olive surcingle. I went with Leather Man, but also check out Barrons-Hunter, J.Press, or O’Connell’s.

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

7 Comments on "Signature Item: The Olive Surcingle Belt"

  1. Hollywood Argyle says:

    Where did you get the madras shirt? It looks like a Lands’ End model I’ve had my eye on.

  2. CAY says:

    I bought an olive surcingle based on your previous post about it. Glad I did. While I may not wear it as much as you seem to, Jerrod, it is a definite ‘go-to’ belt. I have a couple of others, but the olive almost always goes with whatever else I am wearing. I’m very glad i made this acquisition.

    I have been looking for a surcingle in a Navy-Kelly Green as my next belt, but so far, haven’t been able to find one. No one seems to offer this color combo. If anyone sees one listed, please let me know.

  3. oxford cloth button down says:

    Hollywood – The madras is J.Crew. Maybe 4 years old?

    CAY – Glad to hear that it is working out for you. On the Navy-Kelly belt which color do you want the stripe to be?

    I took a quick look around the web and that one is hard to find. I remembered Leather Man having one in the stretch belt, but they don’t seem to be offering that anymore. I did find something close at Barrons-Hunter, but it is grosgrain (http://www.barronshunter.com/Navy-and-Green/ & http://www.barronshunter.com/Green-and-Navy-Blue/). I will keep my eye out for one.

    Barrons-Hunter is a challenge for me because I prefer my belts at 1.25″ over 1.5.” Otherwise I would own a lot of their belts. They have a lot of hard to find color combinations.

    • CAY says:

      Hey Jerrod — I’m looking for the center stripe to be Kelly. Kelly is a pretty bright color, so the center stripe is a little more subdued and better for my tastes. The first Barrons-Hunter link you posted would be the right style, just a little too wide. I appreciate your posting that.

      My favorite surcingle and motif belts are the Letherman belts. They are the narrower width, but they don’t offer the Navy-Kelly belt. They do have a watchband that is perfect, but not the belt.

  4. Child doc says:

    I agree with you about 1.5″ width being a show stopper. Belts used for dress should, in my opinion and to my eye, be about 1 1/8″ to 1 1/4″. Belts worn with jeans and the like could be 1.5″ but that would relegate them to such casual use. (Even Filson, who make sturdy bridle leather work/casual belts, offer them in 1 1/4″ and 1 1/2″ options). I tend to think of navy or tan as “classic” colors for surcingle belts, but your presentation and indication of great versatility has encouraged me to look for an olive addition. It’s a shame re. Barrons-Hunter width as I agree with you that they otherwise offer a variety of good looking belts.

  5. Christian says:

    Hah! I just went googling “olive surcingle belt” and this was the top result! Well done and I’m long overdue for one myself.

    Cheers,

    CC

  6. oxford cloth button down says:

    Christian – Thank you, I can’t recommend one highly enough!

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