What is a polo belt?
Full-grain leather, a band of hand embroidery and a solid brass buckle. Born on the polo fields of Argentina, now worn from the office to the altar.
A polo belt is a leather belt with a band of colourful embroidery running its full length, finished with a solid brass buckle. You will also hear it called a gaucho belt or an Argentinian polo belt. It is one of the few accessories that looks just as right with jeans on a Saturday as it does with a suit at a wedding.
Born on the Pampas
The gauchos were the horsemen of the Argentine Pampas, the vast grasslands of South America, famous for their skill in the saddle. When British settlers brought polo to Argentina in the late 19th century, the gauchos took to the game at once.
To tell the teams apart on the field, players wore leather belts embroidered in their team colours. The polo belt was born: part of the kit, part badge of pride.
Running down the centre is the Pampa diamond, the guarda pampa, a motif of South American heritage said to echo the peaks of the Andes. Every Carlos Diaz belt carries it. Read the full origin story.
Part of the kit, part badge of pride.
The gaucho tradition
The anatomy of a fine polo belt
Most of what makes a polo belt worth owning is invisible in a photo. It is in the weight of the buckle, the feel of the leather, and how it looks after five years of wear rather than five days.
Full-grain leather
The top layer of the hide with the natural grain intact. The strongest leather there is, and it softens and darkens with wear instead of cracking.
Waxed thread
Embroidered by hand in waxed thread that holds its colour, resists water and wipes clean. No two belts are exactly alike.
Solid brass
A heavy, solid brass buckle that resists tarnish and outlasts the plated metal found on most belts.
Seven holes
Two more than a standard belt, so landing on the perfect fit is easy, and the belt adjusts with you.
Three widths, one tradition
Every style is unisex and comes in over 300 colour combinations.
The Classic
3.5 cm wide. The traditional width for jeans, chinos and tailored trousers.
Shop classic belts
The Skinny
2.5 cm wide. Made for dresses, high-waisted jeans and slimmer belt loops.
Shop skinny belts
The Children's
2.5 cm wide and sized by age, from 4 to 12 years, so the little ones can match.
Shop children's belts
How to wear it
A polo belt is the rare belt that works with almost everything. Let the belt carry the colour and keep the rest simple.
- The weekendJeans, chinos or shorts with a plain shirt or polo shirt.
- The officeNavy or grey trousers and a solid shirt. Choose a belt that picks up one or two colours you already wear.
- The weddingGrooms and ushers in matching belts, in the colours of the day.
- The yardMade for the saddle, and just as at home with jodhpurs and country wear.
Match everyone, dog included
Team, school, club or country colours. Choose a design and find it again on dog collars, leads and horse browbands.
Shop matching setsCaring for it
Wipe the leather with a soft, dry cloth, keep it away from direct heat, and feed it a little leather conditioner a few times a year. The waxed thread wipes clean with a damp cloth. Treated well, it only gets better. The full care routine.
Finding your size
Polo belts are measured from the buckle to the middle hole, so your belt size is your trouser waist size. See the size guide.
Free next-day delivery
On every UK order
60-day returns
Wear it, live with it, decide later
3-year warranty
We stand behind every stitch
Find the colours that are yours
Every belt is cut from full-grain leather and embroidered by hand. Choose yours today and it can be with you tomorrow.
