All About Unbelts Part 1: All About Classic
"Which Unbelt is right for me?"
This is a question we get all the time at here Unbelts HQ. All of our designs follow our guiding principles of comfort, simplicity and sustainability, but each design achieves these things in its own way.
In this series, we'll explore the differences and similarities between our core 4 styles: Classic, Intrepid, Kids' and (Re)Mix. In part 5, we’ll sum up everything we've learned, and tell you about an exciting opportunity to influence upcoming design decisions here at Unbelts.
Let's start at the beginning. Here's everything you need to know about the Classic Unbelt (AKA, the belt that changed everything)...
Background:
The Classic Unbelt is an evolution of our first ever design: the Flatter:Me. Claire designed the Flatter:Me while living in Shanghai as a student in 2011. Her body was changing, and she wanted a belt that could hold her outfits together without feeling restrictive.
Claire nailing a very 2010's capsule wardrobe on a trip through central Europe.
In the 15 years since, the name and design have been refined. We dropped the delightfully punny but easy to misinterpret “Flatter:Me” for “Unbelts”, which emphasized the wonderfully un-beltlike feel of the design. We’ve always said that we’re a belt company for people who *hate* belts.
As we introduced more styles, this original design came to be known as the Classic.
Manufacturing and composition:
Classic Unbelts manufactured after 2022 are sewn in Edmonton by our amazing work-from-home sewing team. The hardware comes from Lydia’s buckle factory. The elastic comes from Mr. Wang’s factory. Our care tags come from Mr. Yeung’s label and packaging factory. Our suppliers are located in and around Dongguan, Guangdong province, in south China.
Classic elastic is knit from:
- 40% recycled polyester (rPET) - this synthetic fibre is derived from polyethylene terephthalate; the plastic found in soda bottles and takeout containers.
- 40% latex - latex is what gives the belts their ultra-accommodating stretch. Our latex is completely encased in other fibres, making it much less likely to trigger allergies.
- 20% nylon - this synthetic fibre is used to stabilize the rPET and achieve the desired texture.
Classic hardware is cast from recycled zinc alloy. Each piece of hardware receives a hypoallergenic powder coat. As a bonus, our specific blend of metals doesn’t trigger most airport scanners. If security can’t see the belt, you can proceed to your gate beep-free.
Features:
| Elastic texture? | Velvety |
| Elastic colour? | Versatile basics |
| Closure type? | Slide & lock |
| Hardware colour? | Matte pewter, matte black |
| Size range? | 0-4X, continuous |
| Washable in belt loops? | Yes |
| Sewn in Canada? | After 2022 |
| Warranty period? | 500 days |
| In-house repairs? | Absolutely! :) |
Learn more about our warranty and repair policies here.
Variants:
Flatter:Me - Even though we retired the name almost a decade ago, belts with Flatter:Me branding are still kicking. We’re so proud of the longevity we’ve achieved with this design. Flatter:Me belts are out of warranty, but we still repair them for a flat $20 fee. All Flatter:Me belts were ethically manufactured in Shanghai, China.
Identifiers:
- 3-Dot/“cinch-belt” buckle style with square corners
- Oval-shaped adjuster
- Distressed bronze or distressed silver hardware
- “Made responsibly in Shanghai, China” care tag
- Black inner tag with green text
Classic 1.0 - We carried this Classic design from 2017 to 2025. If you currently have a Classic, it probably looks like this. Belts sewn before 2022 were made in Shanghai or at Ms. Ou's sewing studio in Zhongshan, Guangdong. Belts sewn after 2022 were made in Edmonton.
Identifiers:
- 3-dot/“cinch-belt” buckle style with rounded corners
- Oval-shaped adjuster
- Black, silver, gold or rose gold hardware
- Red, orange, yellow, cyan or navy inner tag
- Bold elastic colours (check out (Re)Mix to see where those ended up)
Choose Classic if:
You want a no-bulk belt that sits flat under tees and disappears into your outfit
You want a versatile wardrobe staple which can be dressed up or down
You're into riding. Unbelts' Classic is equestrian-approved!
If you have any questions about the Classic, leave them in the comments. Stay tuned for our next installment: All About Intrepid.