From economical single-ply casual or dress belts to higher end hand-tooled betls, all belts are made with full-grain leather, custom sized for the perfect fit, and while they will mold to your body shape, they should not stretch for many years.
Measuring for a new belt can be confusing. When measuring, simply measure the strap only. The measurement is from where the buckle attaches to the strap (called "the fold" -- measure from the center of the buckle slot) to the hole you currently use. Your new belt will use that same measurement but place the hole as a center hole to give you room on either side.
Dress and casual belts are often a single-ply belt. Our casual belts measure 1-1/2 inches wide (1.5" wide) and dress belts measure 1-1/4 inches (1.25"). The only difference is the width of the belt. Men's dress pants, hiking shorts, and some women's pants may only accommodate a 1-1/4" belt while jeans will usually take a belt up to 1-1/2" wide.
Everyday and Work Belts are meant to be worn whether sitting in a movie theater, out to dinner or a formal occasion, or working in the yard. These belts are usually two-ply making them thicker than a casual belt and, due to the thickness, may take a week to mold to your body. Whether tooled or plain, these belts will hold up to the stress your life puts on them.