From Worn to Wonderful – The Rebirth of a Paul Costelloe Belt

After two decades of loyal service, this Paul Costelloe Belt arrived showing every sign of wear!

The original black mock-lizard exterior had softened and the scales had worn away, giving it that unmistakable patina of something frequently enjoyed.

While the wear told a beautiful story, the real concern was the significant breakage around the most frequently used belt holes—an issue that left the belt structurally compromised, despite its sentimental value.

To recreate this belt, I began by using a soft tan pig suede for the new lining, chosen for its flexibility, comfort, and durability. To ensure the belt would hold up for many more years of use, I added a reinforcement layer to provide extra structure before moving on to the exterior.

For the main leather, I sourced a mock iguana-embossed calfskin in black. A refined and modern echo of the original mock-lizard finish. This brought back the belt’s classic character while giving it a crisp, elevated appearance.

One of the main reasons the owner wanted the belt repaired rather than replaced was the buckle. It held personal meaning, and repurposing it made perfect sense.

With the restored strap and original buckle reunited, everything was saddle-stitched by hand using linen thread, and the edges were carefully painted.

The final result is clean, chic, and versatile—a thoughtfully revived accessory, ready to complement countless outfits for years to come.