The Ely — Black Leather Belt Bag

The Ely is a leather belt bag: a soft crescent with a zip top and a hidden back pocket, worn at the waist, across the chest or crossbody.

Black is the colour that goes to every room without asking. This one is a matte, aniline-dyed hide, so it reads as deep ink rather than plastic shine, and a scuff buffs back with a thumb instead of showing a pale line.

It is 9″ (23 cm) wide, 5″ (13 cm) tall and 2.25″ (6 cm) deep. The buckle strap fits waists from 26″ to 48″ (66 to 122 cm) and lets out far enough to wear as a sling. Phone, cards, keys and a passport.

Inside there is one slip pocket inside and a hidden zip pocket on the back panel. It comes with an adjustable 1″ (2.5 cm) leather strap with brass buckle, fits waists 26″ to 48″ (66 to 122 cm), or wears as a sling or crossbody.

Choose the Ely for travel, concerts, markets and dog walks, anywhere you want your hands free and your phone in front of you. If you want it as a sling first, see our leather sling bags. Or browse all our leather belt bags and fanny packs.

The leather

The hide is full-grain, which means the top surface is left on, grain, small scars and all, instead of being sanded and printed. It is the strongest layer of the skin and the only one that ages well.

How it is made

Load-bearing seams are saddle stitched by hand, two needles through each hole, so a cut thread does not run. Edges are sanded and burnished rather than painted, and the hardware is solid brass, unplated.

Care

Wipe it with a dry cloth, keep it out of long direct sun, and give it a neutral leather conditioner a couple of times a year.