This belt is pretty good. Shiny gold beads that others don't like aren't THAT noticeable (and will likely fade over time). The buckle can be removed and replaced, which I did. However, I followed the advice of other buyers and ordered a size larger - WRONG! With the original buckle, I had to use the very last hole to get even a slightly loose fit. With my spare buckle I got the right fit down to the last hole. On the off chance that my waist gets smaller I guess I'll have to drill another hole.