South Beach Leather pants belt loops mod

[MFP 2020]

The SBL Max pants are the best ones out there, but the belt loops are standard size (like those on jeans) and are too small to take a garrison belt without excessive stress. I took my pants and the excess leather I cut off the legs to my tailor and had her replace the loops with more movie-accurate ones. I originally wanted a 7/8" width but she talked me into 3/4", and about 2" of loop. Removing the original loops left holes in the leather so instead of movie-accurate placement, I used their original locations. (Only us freaks will notice, and only after a careful study of screen grabs. On the movie pants there is a loop at the back seam, one at each of the outseams, and one each about halfway between the outseams and fly; the SBL pants have a loop at the back seam, one each behind the outseams, and one each closer to the fly.)

DSC05481.JPG (201.02 KiB) Viewed 2668 times

DSC05482.JPG (211.05 KiB) Viewed 2668 times

maxloopsHD.jpg (120.77 KiB) Viewed 2668 times

I'm going to contact SBL and see if they'll modify their design, or at least offer their Max pants without loops. My next pair will have belt loops that are screen-accurate in size, width and placement. No one will ever see them because the jacket covers them, but I'll know.

Related: I dropped a few pounds since last year so the fit isn't quite as snug. Sorry, ladies.

[Max Replica]

Nice. Thanks for doing the research and legwork on this one. I may do that with mine at some point as well. So far mine haven't broken from my garrison belt, but I haven't worn them much. I guess it's likely I'll bust a loop at Wasteland Weekend. We need new pictures now that you and I have the two most accurate MM1 belts out there. You know, the belts that are rarely visible underneath the jacket...

[MFP 2020]

I'm glad I did the loops, but no one saw them at the event. But I knew...

That belt sheds dye like crazy.

[Max Replica]

I was so busy that I forgot to investigate the loops. Next time.

As for the dye, I use a cheap water based dye so that I can easily weather it with acetone. I guess what I need to do is put some sort of sealer over it once I've got it looking the way I want. I'll ask my leather guys what I should use. I can easily spruce your belt back up next time I see you.

[MFP 2020]

FYI, I forwarded photos and info to South Beach, asking whether they'd modify their Max pants or just offer them without belt loops (which, I suppose, has always been an option, considering their willingness to do custom orders). Here's what they said:

HI,
We are very much thank full to you for your feedbacks, Sure we will modify style & will make pants with or without loops as you want next time,
Your links & pictures are perfect & I am sure you have forwarded my web address www.SouthBeachLeather.com to all friends
Thanks for advice & cooperation
Regards
St

So there you go, all you screen-accuracy freaks.