I ordered this belt because I had previously bought an older Dickies belt that served me well (and still looks good). When I received this belt it looked like the outside of the leather was almost stained/covered black. I thought this might be a new way to make the leather more durable, but now I realize that this belt that was sent to me didn't have a real leather upper (it's more like suede on both sides, and one of the sides that outside, has been coated with something to make it look more like real leather). So either Dickies quality control let me pass and I'm unlucky, or there's a slim chance these aren't genuine Dickies belts. I just do not know. on the side it still works like a belt, it just looks like the skin is turning into mottled suede.