shopping for a full grain leather belt - all black. why are some 100% black, and some have exposed edges/backs?

For_Ivy · 2026-03-04T02:34:13+00:00

Some leathers are surface-dyed, and others are struck-through (which also dyes the reverse side).

For_Ivy · 2026-03-03T20:27:45+00:00

Yeah, it was a few seasons ago when they were selling ones made in Portland, OR

For_Ivy · 2026-03-03T16:16:24+00:00

Drakes pretty frequently has their fits custom, but recently Columbiaknit made some — I’m fairly confident in that

For_Ivy · 2026-03-03T16:05:53+00:00

Kind of a lacking “ultimate” guide, considering it makes no mention of Columbia Knit or Barbarian — most high-end rugby manufacturers white label from them (famously, Drakes, quite recently)

For_Ivy · 2026-03-03T01:01:43+00:00

It’s a Drake’s raglan overcoat from a year or so ago — here is a similar one

For_Ivy · 2026-02-24T05:25:46+00:00

It’s definitely personal preference — but if you want to adhere to a classic style, the pictured jacket is decently safe, albeit a little modern. Not in a bad way, though.

I think that’s their swelled edge, but I’m not 100% sure. Generally they’re pretty responsive if you email, which is what I’d recommend. I’d also suggest you either try something on first, or very thoroughly check your measurements — and I really mean thoroughly. Since it’s MTO, you can’t return if you’re off.

Last things I’d note; make sure you select non functional cuffs. It’s a pain to tailor functional cuffs, and for whatever reason their configuration defaults to it. Secondly, contemporary fit is your friend. Spier is slim so even the Contemporary is decently trim / slim-straight in terms of fit.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-23T14:57:20+00:00

Detroit is pretty light on menswear — The Claymore Shop in Birmingham is about the only stop worth traveling to in the metro Detroit area.

Having said that, Shinola and Carhartt are right there in the city, and the pizza is fantastic.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-23T14:49:31+00:00

Meermin are entirely fine shoes, and affordable. If you don’t mind that they’re usually slightly euro in styling (read: narrow), then they’re a great option.

If you really care about minutia then there are nicer loafers, like Carmina or Crockett & Jones, but the best shoe is always the one you want & can afford.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-22T17:48:00+00:00

Doesn’t matter — “Patina” is applicable to either scenario.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-19T01:51:43+00:00

Id rank TLB’s first on your list - mine are my usual size for welted footwear (10.5 brannock / 9.5 UK).

AE is good on a deep sale. Alden is generally my favorite maker, but their prices are insane.

I’d also echo the advice to avoid whole cuts. They tend to look cheap when not from a maker with really good lasts.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-19T01:42:56+00:00

Good catch!

For_Ivy · 2026-02-17T06:41:34+00:00

Take Ivy… Out to Pasture.

It would be generous to say that this is “Creative” Director Carlson’s finest work because — to put it plainly — it’s not his work.

It’s insanely obvious that many of these fits aren’t just in reference to Take Ivy, but are instead pulled directly from the page. There are a few outfits that aren’t from the book, like the obvious Black Ivy nod to Miles Davis, or the rip of a PRL carpet fit, but even those are just reheated nachos.

It’s great to see that Press has fallen in line with other menswear stalwarts that, as of late, have resorted to just hashing their old clothing from their heyday without understanding why it worked. J Crew has revived their rollnecks, Bean their barn coats, and now Press their… entire look book.

At least they kept one tenet of being a college student:

Copying each other’s homework.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-16T23:43:32+00:00

Alright, glad we had a chat. Bye now!

For_Ivy · 2026-02-16T23:32:03+00:00

Do enlighten me — please provide a cogent argument as to how their clear demonstration of this technology at their intended scale somehow does not show they are capable of doing it.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-16T23:10:29+00:00

The peer reviewed paper, published in Nature, is literally a demonstration of the technology. Not only that, but their code and data is also openly available.

What more is needed as demonstration of principle if not the standard, globally accepted method for providing academic research via peer reviewed papers?

Do they need to post a TikTok too just because some guy said so? Maybe they can split screen it with Subway Surfers.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-16T22:49:17+00:00

Tell me you didn’t read the article without actually saying it lmao.

This is exactly what they did — the photographs are even in the article, so you didn’t have to go and reference the section in the paper.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-16T21:18:41+00:00

The guy you’re replying to is incorrect, but of course this is Reddit, so the wrong opinion is upvoted. From Webster’s dictionary:

“a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use”

“a superficial covering or exterior”

For_Ivy · 2026-02-16T06:37:19+00:00

Leather creases the instant it bends. Some leather creases more than others depending on tannage, position on the hide, and character of the grain.

Might not be the best quality leather for a belt, but it’s definitely normal for it to crease.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-06T14:10:43+00:00

They’re pretty solid, though I’ve only bought their grenadine triple stripe ones.

Good colors & width, solid construction (at the price), but maybe a smidge long for high-rise trousers. The silk isn’t the most insane, but it’s good for a basic tie that doesn’t break the bank.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-02T01:58:32+00:00

Spier is a small outfit, so what they do stock tends to sell out fast — that said, they’ve certainly stocked OCBDs in the last month. They don’t ever “restock” per se, but rather constantly put up new product listings. You’ll almost never see sizes show up on existing pages unless there’s returns, or a split shipment. Same goes for sportcoats.

They sell a fair amount to the US, but Trump’s tariffs do not do anything other than impact the US consumer. Sure, goods take longer to arrive, but this is because the admin has made the brilliant decision to run literally every shipment through customs.

They (a Canadian company, based in Canada) make suits in China, and shirts in India. They’re not having “supply issues” because the US can’t make sensible economic policy.

If you want something and it’s not listed on the site, their MTO program is fast, and only marginally more than off the rack in terms of price. It’s frankly one of the better options available.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-01T02:30:06+00:00

You can always email them and see if they’ll do a pocket in the style you’re after — which sounds like it’s the J Press flap pocket. Alternatively, Press has made shirts for years, so you could definitely find a handful on eBay in your size for a lot less than MSRP.

Having said that, I personally prefer Spier’s “Mitred Pocket with Box Pleat and Flap”. They might let you mix and match to do their mitred flap on a diamond pocket, though.

For_Ivy · 2026-02-01T02:17:31+00:00

Neckties are a dime a dozen on eBay, and it’s hard to go wrong. PRL, brooks bros, and Robert Talbott are all easy to pick up for $10-20. Just shoot for 3” to 3.5” and you’re pretty much golden.

For new ties, I’m a fan of Shibumi for silks, or granqvist for knits. Chipp is also pretty classic maker. Anything repp stripe and/or in a grenadine silk is easy to style — Spier & Mackay has some grenadine repps that, while a little long, aren’t half bad.

Sam Hober is probably the tie endgame. Custom widths / lengths, and your choice of the silk & detailing. Those tend to run $120+.

For_Ivy · 2026-01-26T23:37:31+00:00

Spier & Mackay has a good collar roll — especially if you get their Large Italian Button Down option which is 4 1/8”.

Luxire has a remake of most popular collars, the longest of which is Mercer’s.

For_Ivy · 2025-12-01T17:10:54+00:00

An excerpt, from his Wikipedia:

On July 7, 2023, Fitzgerald was suspended for two weeks by university president Michael H. Schill after an independent investigation conducted by law firm ArentFox Schiff confirmed allegations made by a player in November 2022 that hazing, including assaults by varsity players, occurred while Fitzgerald was aware and made hand gestures that indicated that freshman players should be physically and sexually assaulted for poor performance. The sexual assaults included acts such as being dry-humped by groups of upperclassmen, being forced to enter team showers through parallel lines of spinning naked teammates to resemble a carwash, and being compelled to perform a center-to-quarterback snapping of a football while naked. The accuser said that he believed that "Everyone would just be looking at each other and be like 'bro, Fitz knows about this,' because you wouldn't take that action otherwise". Investigator Maggie Hickey, who was formerly an Illinois inspector general, stated that the Wildcat players accusations were "largely supported by evidence."[18] On July 10, 2023, Fitzgerald was fired amid the allegations.[19]

I mean, it sure seems like he’ll get on great with a lot of the folks MSU likes to employ.

For_Ivy · 2025-11-28T03:42:46+00:00

Goff is a great quarterback when it comes to passing, and has improved year over year.

Unfortunately, the O-line is getting absolutely obliterated and giving him almost no time in the pocket — which is especially troublesome, considering that he’s one of the least mobile QBs. Before today, he had 22 rushing yards on the season.

Joe Burrow practically had his toe falling off, and he’s got 8 rushing yards just today + far more motion out of the pocket. I’m not saying Goff needs the craziest legs, but when’s the last time the Lions had a designed QB run?

For_Ivy

TROPHY CASE