Do not buy a size larger; buy the correct size. I bought my size and I am dead center on hole 4 out of 7 holes. Thank you everyone else that reviewed it.

The reviews about this having a smell are correct, there is some kind of smell. I believe this is due to what appears to be that plastic that is put on the side of the belt. If I am not mistaken, this is one piece of leather folded in half and then bound. The plastic is only located on the bottom and tip of the belt. I guess this is what they meant by tubular belt or "Uses one piece of leather wrapped around the belt". Normally I look for that plastic to see whether it is bound leather that will split. I probably would not have bought this if I saw it before hand for this reason.
The smell could also be from the dying process or leather treatment, I feel something on my fingers after touching the belt, and the smell carries over faintly.
The smell is not severe or that bad; it is a light faint chemical smell. It will only bother you if you are looking for it after reading reviews. This is not like a pvc shower curtain that will stink for days 10 feet away. The smell should not be your concern at all, I only bring it up because everyone else mentions it but does not fully describe it. If you are 2 feet away you will not detect it, so when you wear it you will be fine from day 1.

The buckle is sewn in so it will not come off like those screwed/glued on buckles on reversible belts. It is not as shiny as the picture shows. Mine looks more like oxidized silver, not stainless steel as the picture. Personally, I rather have the color in the picture, but this is just a few shades darker.

The leather feels very soft but stiff. My guess is that this is probably because it is one piece of leather folded over. It does not feel bad at all, it feels pretty good, feels rich.

It is nice and thick. It is ~1.25 inches wide so this is a 30mm belt. I wish it were 40mm.

Bottom line. I like it. I am on the fence on quality because that bonded bottom worries me into thinking that maybe one day this belt may actually split. If this is the type of belt that will split then this should cost only ten dollars. If the price was cheaper by twelve dollars I would take the risk and buy two more. I believe it is overpriced at twenty seven. At its current price, I do not think it is worth buying more than one even if it is inconvenient to switch pants everyday and use the same belt. A fair price for this belt is 15-20. If it were not glued, $27 is fair.