The Battle of the Belts, or How Much Details Matter? - YouLookFab Forum

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The Battle of the Belts, or How Much Details Matter?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Do you see an important difference between the two belts? Not in terms of playing spot the difference (because it's all in the buckle only, same material, same width), but in terms of projecting style / aspirations / personality / younameit?

I have ordered the top one and intend to keep it when it arrives, it was on my wish list for a while and I only needed to locate the store which had the length I wanted. But funnily, just after I placed an order, I got a newsletter which led me to the new products page and I saw the other white belt (the one at the bottom). I'm just surprised finding myself at this place of thinking over the buckle!!

What's going on with me?
And just for fun - which one would you choose and why?

Esprit XOCTAVIA - Gürtel - white

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3

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Quietgirl

Veteran

For what its worth, I like the one with the satin buckle. More subtle. From the photo, the leather looks better as well.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Esprit one seems a tiny bit more casual to me because it is matte all over (not just the buckle from what I can tell) and the brand is written on the buckle. But I still like it a bit better, the second looks a bit cheap to me. - it might just be the picture.

Anonymous

Interesting. The top one seems a little more refined to me because of the more matte finish and slightly more balanced shape and the bottom one seems more edgy -- something I could imagine with a dramatic haircut or jewelry.

A white belt isn't really something I'd see myself buying but, if I were looking, I'd go with the first because it feels a little more toned-down and sophisticated.

carter

Veteran

No question. The one with the satin buckle. Not because of the finish of the buckle, but because it's symmetrical and the other one isn't. Asymmetry drives me nuts.

Anonymous

If it were being worn on it's own, for instance, over a blouse, I would probably go with the first one, since it's more substantial. If it were within belt loops for pants or skirt, I would go with the second, since it's more unobstrusive.

Astrid

Veteran

Definitely the first! I like the satin buckle and that it's symmetrical. I've had this style in both black and brown in the past, it's one of their staples and I think it's a very good everyday belt.

Jenny H

Veteran

I'll offer a different opinion. I would choose the bottom one because I don't like how noticeable the brand name is on the top one. I'm an ornery old man on this topic (get off my lawn!)-- I don't like to have brand names obviously visible on my clothing. But if the brand name were not so noticeable, that's the one I would pick because I do prefer the matte finish.

Anonymous

I prefer the top one and I don't mind the name on there as I think it's reasonably subtle. I have a couple with brands on like that. I'm a big fan of satin finished metal. I like the look a lot

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I much prefer the top belt with the satin buckle - I find the shiny buckle somehow distracting.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Exactly opposite to Carter I was drawn to the asymmetry of the bottom one but prefer the finish of the top one. I think it is an excellent topic to think about Ornella!

Laurinda

Veteran

I'm with Jenny H - I won't provide free advertising, so I have a poison eye for commercial labels. Without the writing I'd pick the top one for it's sleeker look but of the two I'd pick the bottom one.

Joy

Veteran

I like the top one best in general because of the satin finish of the buckle. At first glance my thoughts were the top one with jeans and the second one with frocks, I think because the second looks narrower in the picture.

lyn67

Veteran

I usually don't invest in brands, but love the matte finish of the top one best. Still, I do have a shiny buckles like the other there down(but not that wides), and only use them for dressier but matte outfits when feeling the need to catch a ray of light somewhere. cannot explain better. Great topic, Ornella:-),

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Can't go wrong either way. I just bought this one - and promptly wore it yesterday:

Nike Perforated Golf Belt

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17

rabbit

Veteran

I totally have been there. At one point a month or two ago I had about 5 recently bought white belts all lined up on my bed and was trying to figure out which one to keep. (part of it is that I fall between sizes so that some pants need a large, and some a medium -- and drilling another hole wouldn't work visually with the options). I would go for the first one with the satin buckle, even though I would prefer it not have the logo. The asymmetry of the second one could look distracting rather than intentional, or like the other edges of the belt buckle are too skinny.

kkards

Veteran

i like the top one, because the edge is rounded instead of squared. for some reason it looks more finished to me

Isabel

Veteran

Interesting post. Even before I read what you wrote, I looked at the pictures. My gut feelings were immediate. The bottom one was very retro looking and reminded me of Ariana Grande's video :

https://screen.yahoo.com/arian.....52175.html

so... I would have also gone with the top one. : )

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks all for your great input. I would have never thought a buckle can cause so much discussion.

Firstly, the belt arrived and I'm keeping it as I said I would. I left a bit of chance for someone to sway me. Although I liked the idea of asymmetry, I could not put my finger on what bothered me to begin with, but rabbit had put it perfectly - the asymmetry of the second one looks distracting and that confirmed the decision to go for Team Belt 1.

A few clarifications though - both belts are by Esprit and both have the brand name on it, the photo of the second one just does not show it well. They are made of the same type of leather. I was completely fine with both satin and shiny options, it was just a case of the buckle shape really. I wanted to make sure I was not missing to see something in it.

Also, I dislike logos very much and avoid them whenever I can, but for some reason this one I have no issues with. I've seen other casual white belts with embossed names on the buckle by other brands which are present here and this one is not even noticeable in comparison. It's subtle enough, does not make the belt look overly casual, and most importantly for me - I don't think of Esprit as some pretentious brand, it's actually good quality stuff which had never let me down. My husband has shirts that go strong for years and last winter I had bought my favourite coat to date, by Esprit. So even if I do some unintentional advertising, they have deserved it form me

Lisa

Veteran

I like the first one. The buckle has less shine and softer edges to it, which I think will fit into your style better. The higher shine and straighter edges of the second buckle remind me of heavily minimal looks that are based around crisp structures and straight lines.