Fashionable belt-attached key chains

[supershaver]

I've been trying to figure out a way to have my keys attached to my belt, but still be relatively classy and professional, since I work in a professional environment and have meetings.

I used to use a carabiner, but that obviously looks a little too rugged. Then I got a leather loop that goes around my belt and is snaps closed with a button, but the problem with that is that it looks like a policeman's utility accessory. But it's better than the carabiner.

Now, I've found this leather belt loop on amazon and it looks pretty good:

That one's the best I've found so far. It looks clean and classy, and the button snap is hidden in the back rather that the front like most belt loops, including the one I currently have.

Now, the next problem is that I need an extension that reaches down a few inches so the keys are actually in my pocket. After all, I can't have a bunch of keys hanging off my belt like a janitor! I've looked around and around and can't find anything. I need something like a thin leather strip with two loops at the end. No more than half an inch wide or so at least 4 inches long so it goes inside the pocket. This is the piece I can't find anywhere.

Many of you wonder why i do this. If the keys are attached to me, I will never lose them or misplace them. I was made fun of it years ago, so I took it off. Within a week, I went to a concert and my keys slipped out of my pocket while I was sitting and fell out without me knowing. So, I immediately went back to attaching it.

Also, some people are the type that take everything off when they go to work. They remove their wallet, keys, watch, everything. I'm not like that, and frankly, I think it's ridiculous, but I don't want to sound insulting.

So, any suggestions? What do you guys do with your keys?

 

[dsheppard]

I guess these are ok, but if you're going to have your keys in your pocket anyway, why not just use a pocket watch chain? Those look classy and understated and are built for the purpose.

http://www.amazon.com/Tech-Swiss-Pocket-Watch-Chain/dp/B000F93094

 

[valmara1971]

Do you have a desk at work? If you do why not "strip out" like others do into your desk draw then lock it and place desk key into your shirt pocket and if there is a button close it down. Easy one small flat key that can't slip out of your shirt and won't attract any unwanted comments.

 

[r_w]

NEVER strip out while at work, unless you want to get kicked out of the building without your keys when you have a firedrill (or the real thing).

 

[supershaver]

Do you have a desk at work? If you do why not "strip out" like others do into your desk draw then lock it and place desk key into your shirt pocket and if there is a button close it down. Easy one small flat key that can't slip out of your shirt and won't attract any unwanted comments.

I just hate the idea of it. I know eventually I'll forget something. I'm also in and out of the office a lot. It's just another thing to worry about which I don't need. My keys and wallet will be with me at all times. The only time they are removed is when I'm in my own home.

 

[supershaver]

I guess these are ok, but if you're going to have your keys in your pocket anyway, why not just use a pocket watch chain? Those look classy and understated and are built for the purpose.

http://www.amazon.com/Tech-Swiss-Pocket-Watch-Chain/dp/B000F93094

I never thought of that. Where would I attach it to my pants? On the belt loop? I'd want a clasp that's a little more strong, but not janitor like claws.

 

[leighton]

I use an Oakley "carabiner."

 

[citizensoldierny]

Not as fancy and best not to keep visible but for a decade plus I've kept my keys on a kubaton and stick them in the top of my pants. Keys are easily accessible, and it's an item that could save your life.

 

[rickboone1]

Keys:

Tacky on the belt and tacky as a bulge in your pocket. Leave them elsewhere.

 

[airplanedoc]

Honestly, I don't think there is such a thing, unless you want to look like a biker or a janitor.

 

[bradyarz]

what about something like this, but worn in the pocket with just the clip showing?

*edit* sorry, the link didn't point quite where i wanted. i was referring to the double-hook type, second from the top.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I've been trying to figure out a way to have my keys attached to my belt, but still be relatively classy and professional, since I work in a professional environment and have meetings.

No offense but if I saw someone with keys attached to their belt while at a meeting I would not be able to take them seriously...very unprofessional. No matter how you try to dress it up, it will not look classy or professional.

 

[leighton]

I guess the only solution is to keep your house keys in the car and your car key as low-profile as possible?

 

[supershaver]

No offense but if I saw someone with keys attached to their belt while at a meeting I would not be able to take them seriously...very unprofessional. No matter how you try to dress it up, it will not look classy or professional.

Interesting. What do you do for a living? I understand what you are saying, but I would never be so foolish as to judge someone that way. It's important to remain rational no matter what your instincts tell you.

Now, I am torn on this issue. I just don't like the idea of my keys not being with me. I'm going from place to place a lot, I just don't see another option. One option is to keep my keys in my messenger bag, but that's risky. Just last week, I accidentally left my bag at work.

I think if I keep it subtle and classy, it should be ok. After all, people walk around with their cell phones attached to their hip, and that doesn't look any better.

 

[airplanedoc]

Where I work I could never get away with my keys hanging on my belt in the office enviornment. When I was out on the factory floor, as a Supervisor I had to carry a radio, work cell phone, personal cell phone, work keys, personal keys etc. Even then I would not carry my keys on my belt. At least when I worked on the factory floor, someone would have just come out and said "you look like a janitor" In the office it just gets said behind your back.

No offense ment to anyone who is a janitor


Another thing to remember is anything you hang on a belt or the waist of our pants will wear thru the fabric pretty quickly. The clip that held my radio wore more holes in pants than I care to count.

Honestly if you have as much trouble loosing things as it sounds, I would figure out some way to better remember things, or check for them when I get up.

 

[supershaver]

Well, I don't think I have to worry about what others think too much. I may have keys in my pocket, but I am infinitely better dressed and professional looking than the majority of those around me who haven't the slightest clue about fitting clothes, matching colors, etc. But I used to be in the same boat. The keys will stay.

I think the best solution is to get the leather thing in my first post, and for the extension, maybe a nice silver chain. That's not too bad.

 

[Jack-in-the-Green]

They make watch chains that have a belt clip on them.

And, btw, I totally get where you're coming from about the keys. Better to risk looking like a janitor than to lose them in a snow bank, or having them locked in your desk when you need them someplace else, IMO. Not worth the hassle. If anyone has a problem with it, it's their problem, not yours.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Interesting. What do you do for a living? I understand what you are saying, but I would never be so foolish as to judge someone that way. It's important to remain rational no matter what your instincts tell you.

Now, I am torn on this issue. I just don't like the idea of my keys not being with me. I'm going from place to place a lot, I just don't see another option. One option is to keep my keys in my messenger bag, but that's risky. Just last week, I accidentally left my bag at work.

I think if I keep it subtle and classy, it should be ok. After all, people walk around with their cell phones attached to their hip, and that doesn't look any better.

I work in the political arena...I understand what your saying but as my father told me, "whether they're right or wrong, first appearances are everything". I could definitely understand a professional working at a manufacturing plant needing a key ring but why do you need so many keys? Do you have a desk you could lockup your work keys? How may keys are we taking about that you cannot put them in your pocket?

If it were me, I would attach a key ring to a pocket watch chain and keep the keys in my pocket not dangling on the outside of my pocket.

All of my work keys are electronic, so I only carry a house key, locker key, and desk key.

 

[supershaver]

Thanks cuttingboard, but I think I may not have made myself clear despite my attempts.

I definitely do not have the keys hanging off my belt visibily (ha), that would really look bad. They are completely in my pocket all the way at the bottom. I just want to make sure they are also somehow connected so that even if they slip out somehow, they'll still be attached to me. So yeah, if you guys here actually thought my keys were visible, I can see your point. The only visible parts are the belt attachment and whatever extension I'm using between that and my keys.

I'll look for one of those pocket watch chains that connect to the belt.

 

[Cuttingboard]

No worries SS, there's a guy in my office, young guy (late 20's), who wears a pocket watch chain connected to his belt loop. I have no idea what's on the other end, but I assumed it was a pocket watch since he's kind of a throwback type of guy (likes older movies and jazz).