Belt question

[Vintagiality]

How can I tell if this is real lizard skin (or maybe other reptile?) and would you say mid 80s?


Thank you,
Victoria

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Agree with '80s - the underside looks like a synthetic, so I'm think if that's the case it's all synthetic. A real skin would be backed onto leather.

To tell if it's skin or embossed leather, look closely to see if there are individual scales: you can see on yours there aren't, that it's all one piece. Also, look at the edge, where the "skin" meets the backing. Skins are thin and fragile. Perhaps do some research by looking closely at items you know to be authentic and then compare to the fakes.

 

[Linn]

I agree with '80's especially since it's made in the USA. I think it's late '80's. I remember having something very similar. I'm a big fan of belts - have a lot and I just compared the photo of the back to a couple of my belts and the backing looks like leather to me. The skins look real - although they could be real leather that is embossed or stamped. One way to tell is if you can see an obvious pattern repeat and as Nicole mentioned look closely to see if you can see scales. I think it's lizzard.

Linn

 

[Vintagiality]

Thank you Linn and Nicole. I think Nicole is right that those are not individual scales. I still really like the belt but it would have been even better if they were real. Oh well...

Victoria

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Skin belts are usually skinny: it's rare to find them as wide as this, and in as good condition: they tend to dry out and become flaky, so that's another sign. Your belt looks like new. I think Linn is right about a late '80s date on this one.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

In circa 1989 those belts were the rage in the Malls on the East Coast, I bought up about 10 of them, in leathers of all colors and still have them.