Altering... belts?

JuniperGreen

Has anyone had belts altered? I'm specifically thinking of having new holes punched in... but I'm also wondering if they can be shortened so the "tail" isn't so cumbersome.

I have a few belts that are lovely quality but too big now. The materials range, some seem to be genuine leather, others are faux, and I also have one calf-hair leopard belt I'd hate to give up.

I was thinking of taking them to my neighborhood's very talented cobbler/leather worker, but don't want to get laughed out of the shop if this is a silly request

5 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

Joy

Veteran

Have you tried looping a long belt to shorten it? I liked the look so much that I now deliberately buy some belts too large. You Tube must have tutorials. Here is an old blog post from Angie:
https://youlookfab.com/2008/09.....ing-trick/

5 years ago

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

JG, I like Joy's solution if it works with a given length. But the answer to your question is yes. I've had custom belts made to go with a buckle I bought on its own as well.

You are very lucky to have a real cobbler nearby. I have run into a reduced menu of options over the years because of the changes in how consumers approach their buying, repairing, and altering these days.

Joy's point also brings to mind that some of this can be DIY if you're up for it.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

The cobbler won't laugh, since this is a common enough service. I had extra holes punched on ALL my belts when rises went higher, and thus fitted a narrower part of my waist. That was about 2-3 holes per belt. I didn't get the tail shortened - but I've had a bag strap shortened (and holes added as well) and it is the same process. You want to avoid too much shortening with the holes running too close to the end of the tail since it would be visually disconcerting.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I don't get extra holes punched because of the issue Runcarla describes but I've had several shortened at the buckle end at several shops and no one has laughed yet.

5 years ago

Anonymous

If you just want holes punched you can purchase a belt hole puncher for cheap, Michaels craft store sells them but also Amazon or Ebay https://www.michaels.com/leath....._N_N_T1-_-
All+Other+Tier+1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsMv685m34wIVlojICh2sJwiJEAQYASABEgJCIPD_BwE

Like Joy said, often longer belt straps can be tucked or looped, sometimes the long look isn’t bad, so if you just want holes added you could buy the hole puncher. Also faux leather might be tricky to shorten as the material peels easily.

My local shoe/boot leather shop does work on belts too since we don’t have any “cobblers” nearby ☺️.

5 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've had extra holes punched several times. Any decent cobbler can do it, and it only takes a few seconds.

5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

I’ve had several belts shortened by a cobbler; yours won’t laugh at you! Many times the belts were shortened from the buckle end, eliminating a weird shortening of the tail end.

5 years ago

JuniperGreen

Veteran

Excellent, thank you all! There's my errand for the week. I do sometimes loop the tails on my skinnier belts and will give it a try with my other more traditional width belts.

5 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

I've had my cobbler punch extra holes in belts and shorten them as well. It's a simple and fairly inexpensive fix. It's not a silly request for cobblers because they do it all the time.

5 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I've bought a belt punch as well. It works well, unless the length of the belt is such that it's wrapping way around anyway and adding bulk.

5 years ago

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