There’s something special about a belt that’s built to be worn hard, age beautifully, and still look sharp with a clean pair of jeans or a tailored trouser. This is exactly that: a limited edition herringbone braided belt, made here at Skive & Stitch (Northampton) from blue Horween Cavalier leather.
Edition size: 50 belts only
Leather: Horween Cavalier (blue)
Price: £100
Buckle: Nickel
Fit: Any length, made to your measurement
Lead time: Please allow 3 weeks for manufacture
What is Horween Cavalier leather?
Horween Cavalier is a premium, vegetable re tanned leather from Horween Leather Company in Chicago. It’s made using a hot stuffing process, meaning the hides are infused with a proprietary blend of oils and waxes while warm. The result is a leather with depth of colour, a slightly waxy hand feel, and the kind of flexibility you want in an everyday item that moves with you.
One of the hallmarks of Cavalier is its pull up. When the leather bends and flexes, the oils shift slightly and you’ll see lighter tones appear in the high points. Over time, that translates into a belt that develops character: subtle highlights along the braid, a richer sheen, and a lived in finish that looks better the more you wear it. Minor marks tend to blend back in with a quick rub of the hand, as the waxes help, rather than staying stark and scratchy.
Why Cavalier is perfect for a herringbone braid
Braided belts demand a lot from leather. It needs to be strong enough to hold tension, supple enough to weave cleanly, and consistent enough that the braid reads crisp rather than lumpy. Cavalier hits that sweet spot. The oils help the strands glide as they’re worked into shape, and the waxy finish helps the braid settle and hold its form. Even better, Cavalier’s pull up gives the herringbone pattern extra definition. High points catch the light, low points stay deeper, and the belt gains depth with wear rather than looking flat.
Made at Skive & Stitch, Northampton
We make each belt here in Northampton, taking the time to get the braid even, the edges clean, and the finishing right. Cavalier is a joy to work with: firm enough to feel precise under the hands, but cooperative when you’re asking it to curve and interlock in a repeating pattern. Because every belt is made to order, any length is available. You give us your measurement and we’ll build it to fit. We pair the braid with a classic nickel buckle for a bright, understated finish.
Please allow around 3 weeks for manufacture. This is slow craft, not mass production.
The herringbone braid: where the pattern comes from
Herringbone is best known as a classic textile pattern, often described as a broken twill, with repeating V shapes that resemble the skeleton of a herring fish. Versions of the motif show up across European clothmaking and tailoring, prized because it adds texture and structure without shouting. Translating that idea into leather, the herringbone braid gives you the same visual rhythm: clean diagonals, a sense of movement, and a finish that feels considered whether you’re dressing up or down.
What to wear it with
Blue Cavalier is surprisingly easy to live with. It reads classic like navy, but it adds a bit of colour where a brown or black belt can feel expected. The braid keeps it relaxed, and the nickel buckle keeps it clean.
Denim with a white tee and chore jacket for everyday wear. The belt will pick up highlights as it breaks in.
Chinos in stone, olive, or tan with an Oxford shirt for an easy smart casual look.
Navy or grey wool trousers with a knit, texture on texture without being loud.
Linen trousers or shorts in summer, as the braid suits lighter fabrics.
If you like things coordinated, pair it with navy footwear or a blue or indigo bag, though it also works as a standalone accent.
A little history: Horween Leather Company
Horween Leather Company is one of the best known tanneries in the world and one of the oldest continuously operating tanneries in the United States. It was founded in 1905 in Chicago by Isadore Horween, and it remains a family run business generations later. Horween is famous for producing leathers that age with personality, most notably Shell Cordovan and classics like Chromexcel. Cavalier sits in that same tradition: deeply conditioned, dependable, and made to look better after years of use.
Only 50 available
This run is capped at 50 belts, each made from blue Horween Cavalier and finished with a nickel buckle. If you’d like one, send your measurement and we’ll make it to your length. Please allow around 3 weeks from order to dispatch. At £100, it’s an everyday piece that will only get better with time.
