Are you tired of accessorizing your outfits with the same generic-looking belt day after day? While there are dozens of types of belts, most of them look the same. They consist of a long piece of material with loops and a buckle. Belts, however, are available in a few alternative styles, one of the most popular being obi leather. With an obi leather belt, you can take your sense of fashion to the next level. For a complete guide on obi leather belts, including how to wear them, keep reading.
What Is an Obi Leather Belt?
An obi leather belt is a type of belt consisting of a solid, all-leather sash. Obis have been around for centuries. Some of the first obis appeared in 17th-century Japan where they were worn by both men and women alike. Back then, obis were comprised of a ribbon that Japanese men and women would wrap around their waist.
Obi leather belts feature this same style. The only difference is that they are made entirely of leather. They are still sashes, and they are still worn by wrapping the obi around your waist (followed by tying the front or back into a knot). Obi leather belts are simply constructed of premium leather. That’s essentially what distinguishes them from traditional obis.
Benefits of Wearing an Obi Leather Belt
There’s no denying the fact that obi leather belts look amazing. As shown in the photo below, they offer an entirely different appearance than traditional belts. Obi leather belts are simple, elegant and versatile.
You can wear an obi leather belt with a dress. Traditional belts, of course, are typically limited to pants and trousers with belt loops. You can’t wear a traditional belt with a dress — at least not without creating an awkward appearance. Obi leather belts offer a solution. Since they are solid, you can wear an obi leather with virtually any garment, including a dress. Just wrap the obi leather dress around your waist, after which you’ll be good to go.
Another benefit of wearing an obi leather belt is durability. You can find obi made of other materials, such as linen and even silk. The problem with these materials is that they are more susceptible to damage. Your obi may rip or otherwise sustain damage if it’s made of linen and silk. Fortunately, obi leather belts offer a superior level of protection against damage. Like all leather accessories, they are strong and durable. An obi leather belt, in fact, can last for many years when properly maintained.
Not only are they long-lasting, but obi leather belts are easy to care for. If you’ve ever owned a leather jacket, you’ll already know how to maintain it. Obi leather belts are made of the same leather as jackets. Therefore, they require the same steps to maintain.
How to Choose an Obi Leather Belt
If you’re going to wear an obi leather belt, you’ll need to choose the right type. For starters, make sure it’s constructed of premium leather. Not all obis are made of leather. In the past, they were all constructed of a thin ribbon-like material. You can still find these traditional obis available for sale. For the highest level of versatility, though, it’s recommended that you choose an obi made of premium leather.
Some obi leather belts are made of napa leather. Napa leather is prized for its super-soft texture. It has one of the finest grains of all leathers. With its fine grain, napa leather is soft. When used in the construction of an obi leather belt, napa leather will provide the perfect balance between softness and durability.
You should choose an obi leather belt in the right color. Like with all belts, the color will determine the garments with which you can wear it. If you choose a brown obi leather belt, for example, you’ll be limited to wearing garments that flow cohesively with brown. The good news is that obi leather belts are available in nearly every color. Whether you prefer brown, black, red or white, you can probably find an obi leather belt in your preferred color.
Of course, you’ll also need to choose an obi leather belt in the right size. Wearing an obi leather belt requires wrapping it around your waist. If it’s too small, it may not fit. If it’s too big, it may have an excess amount of material. You can avoid these and other problems by choosing an obi leather belt in the right size.
Tips on Wearing an Obi Leather Belt
To wear an obi leather belt, wrap it around your waist and tie it into a bow or knot. You don’t need to run it through any belt loops. On the contrary, obi leather belts are designed to be worn without belt loops. All you have to do is wrap them around your waist.
After wrapping the obi leather belt around your waist, you can tie it into a bow or knot. Just take the two ends of the obi leather belt and tie them together. Sorry if you were expecting more, but that’s all it takes to wear an obi leather belt.
You can preserve your obi leather belt by cleaning and conditioning it. When you are finished wearing it for the day, use a damp washcloth to clean your obi leather belt. Even if it looks clean, your obi leather belt may have some dirt or debris on it. Cleaning it with a damp washcloth will remove this dirt and debris.
Along with cleaning it, you should condition your obi leather belt. Conditioning is a form of leather maintenance that involves the use of a conditioner. Conditioners are creams or lotions that are designed to hydrate leather. Over time, your obi leather belt may dry out. This isn’t limited strictly to obi belts. Rather, all garments and accessories made of real leather can dry out.