AJ
- Comment
This is an update of my July 2013 review. Ill update my 10 years worth of experiences with invisible belts. This is a Combined Review of 3 Competing Products: the IsaBelt, InvisiBelt, & Beltaway Flat Buckle Elastic Womens Belt. Ive also included a review for the Childs Designer IsaBelt for those of you with Children. Ive had more than 10 years experience with these types of belts. Specifically: * For about 10 years, Ive owned 3 of the IsaBelt Womens Belts isABelt Womens Flexible Clear Plastic Adjustable Invisible Belt ; & 3 versions of the IsaBelt Childs Belt, including the Isabelt Original invisible Peace Love Isabelt Jr the Original invisible belt Peace Love * For about 8 years Ive owned the Wide InvisiBelt Clear Invisible No Buckle Clear Belt and the Wide InvisiBelt Black Womens Belt: No-Show Adjustable Belt Lays Flat Under Fitted Tops By Invisibelt * For about 8 years Ive owned Beltaway Flat Buckle Elastic Womens Belt Beltaway Flat Buckle Elastic Womens Belt My experiences with the belts & the companies are widely varied. Heres a breakdown of my findings and recommendations... As stated, Ive used `invisible belts for around 10 yrs. Im not crystal on the amount of time, but its long enough that when I bought my first belt, the IsaBelt just released & had zero competition. O yes, Im a perfect Apple Shape Body (The type whereby my stomach is bigger than my... you get the picture). All that being said, for fashion reasons, I do not wear my tops tucked in & my pants fall down repeat. I needed a belt which would `hide under my tops - thus began my quest for the perfect `invisible belt. Note I wear any invisible belt about 1/week (52 times a year). Keep that in mind while reading... Lets Start with this product: Wide InvisiBelt in Black Womens Belt: No-Show Adjustable Belt Lays Flat Under Fitted Tops By Invisibelt . I also own the Wide Invisibelt Invisible Belt in Clear Invisible No Buckle Clear Belt . Ive owned both Invisibelts since about 2008. Actually theres a small difference between the two; Here are the highlights: PRO: * the buckle is sturdy, it actually outlasted the plastic belt; * the belt has an enormous amount of adjustment ability; & * The belt is nice & wide, a bit wider than 1". Ive found that the thinner belts just dont have as much `stay. CON: * The plastic used to construct this belt is so hard and inflexible that its uncomfortable; * Note: the Wide Invisibelt Invisible Belt in Clear is a bit more flexible * The plastic is so hard & edges so sharp that it can cut into your skin; & * After about 7 years of wear, the plastic actually tore away from the buckle. o I dont think 7 years of wear is unreasonable; however, please note that I really havent worn it that much, see comfort issue. As stated, Ive had exhaustive experiences with invisible belts; read on to assess the competition: The IsaBelt. Ive owned the IsaBelt since it was produced. Upon receipt, I loved the IsaBelt so much I ended up buying 4 additional belts from the company, including 3 of the IsaBelt Jr., Designer Belts for my Daughter. Moreover, I gave untold numbers of these belts for presents. Did IsaBelt care when their belt malfunctions (once in less than 3 months?) NO. Specifically, the Adult IsaBelt isABelt Womens Flexible Clear Plastic Adjustable Invisible Belt felt yummy to wear but was flawed: PRO: * a nice flexible plastic, with generous give thats easy to wear CON: * Flawed belt buckle. With EVERY IsaBelt I purchased (a total of 5) the buckle broke on BOTH SIDES of the buckle! This happened within 12 months of purchase! In sum, every belt was rendered useless. * Their Customer Service is NO Service: o I called the company regarding the broken buckles; o During that call the operator acknowledged there had been issues with their buckle and a new buckle had been developed, but too bad for me because the new buckle was not yet being used ( I suspect they wanted to `use up their old inventory); o IsaBelt was kind enough to send 1 replacement. Recall, I BOUGHT 5 BELTS, ALL BROKE, BUT THE COMPANY WOULD ONLY REPLACE 1, as a `courtesy; * So I get my `courtesy 1 replacement and less than 3 months later the buckle on the `replacement belt broke exactly the same way as the prior 5 IsaBelts! All told 6 IsaBelts, 6 Broken Buckles; o Yes I called again, and, you guessed it, IsaBelt refused to send me another `replacement - I dont recall how much I paid, however I do recall that the belts were expensive and I spent well more than $100 with the company, given the above, their customer service is a joke. * Also, note, the `standard IsaBelt is 0.5" wide which is not wide enough to be comfortable. The Childs Designer IsaBelt Jr. Isabelt Jr the Original invisible belt Peace Love is a little different, to wit: PRO: * Um, its kind of cute... CON: * See my information above regarding the IsaBelt Buckle, as stated, I purchased 3 of these for my child and every buckle broke within the year. * Customer Service Stinks (see detail above): o IsaBelt was would NOT replace the Childs belt! * The plastic on the Childs `designer belt is thicker, akin to the InvisiBelt (above), thus the Childs Designer IsaBelt is uncomfortable to boot. * Moreover, this "designer IsaBelt" is .5" wide which is not wide enough to be comfortable. Looking for a comfortable alternative and after being snubbed by IsaBelt; in 2013 I bought the Belt-away Flat Buckle Elastic Womens Belt Beltaway Flat Buckle Elastic Womens Belt . At first it was a 5 Star `Hit, now, its a 1 Star `Miss, heres why: PRO: * its comfy elastic * 1" wide and does THE BEST JOB of holding up my pants CON: * In 2013 I noted "the buckle is tough to close," in 2015 this is a non-issue as I CAN NO LONGER CLOSE THE BUCKLE! This is a deal breaker; Buckle Inoperable. Over the past 2 years, the Belt-away Flat Buckle has become impossible to close. I thought it was my arthritis, however, Ive had several strong young men try (dont ask) and they too struggled with the Buckle. My husband has refused to try again. Alas, I once again start my search for the perfect `invisible belt. Thinking of making my own; As stated, the Wide Invisibelt Invisible Belt in Clear Invisible No Buckle Clear Belt is a bit more flexible and currently at the top of my Losers List. Ill keep you updated. If you like me review, please click `yes to indicate my review was helpful to you... My New Year Resolution is to become a Top 100 Reviewer on Amazon & your vote can make that happen! As a homebound individual, I am dependent on Amazon to satisfy my shopping needs. Im blessed to live in the 21st century and have most anything I desire delivered to my door. Given my situation, I receive at least 1 Amazon delivery each week. Im determined to use my experiences to help others decide on their purchases, just as I always review comments before buying. Again, if you like what I have to say, please indicate that you have read my review & found it helpful by clicking `this review was helpful. Ill update my profile throughout the year to let you know when I reach my goal of becoming a Top 100 Reviewer. Thank you so very much for your help!