I bought one of these belts a few years ago. The black top was genuine leather while the brown bottom was faux leather. First the brown faux leather cracked, then the black genuine leather. But in general I was satisfied with the belt and bought another. However, the new belt does not look like real leather. Previously the belt was made in China. This belt says "Handmade from Guatemalan faux leather". Due to the look and feel of the black, leather-like substance on the upper, it's actually synthetic leather. Revain should correct its (conflicting at the time of writing) product description.