When to replace a belt?

As I stepped in the dojo tonight, wrapping my belt around my waist, it hit me that my belt is starting to look a little scruffy. Not that homeless bum level look where the belt is as thin as your grandma's 30-year-old panties, but used enough to make me notice.

Scruffy

Anyway, so when do you think it is time to “retire” your black belt? I’m sure there a ton of overly serious-karateka out there with deep, spiritual thoughts with the belief of how mandatory it is to wear the belt until it frays back to complete white, symbolising a return to humility and the beginner’s mindset zen circle blah blah blah. Additionally, for many karateka, I bet there is a kind of pride in wearing a busted-up belt. Every tear, every faded spot, that blood stain or shit stain, every loose thread screaming, “Yeaaah, I’ve been through some serious ossssu training biatchesss!” That beloved battered belt proving you've truly earned your ranks. At some point though, it does start saying, “Oi mate, you look like a clown.” Hmmm, so where to from here?

Thinning like Gran's pants (Not mine)

Option 1: Wear it proudly without a care in the world. Think of all those people who wear Crocs with white socks.

Option 2: Retire it and crack open a few coldies to celebrate the end of an era.

Option 3: Keep the old one for sentimental days and get a fresh spanking new one for events where you don’t want to look like a bum.

Anyway, in the end a belt’s just a belt… unless it’s long enough that it almost touches the ground. But hey, I’ll save that for another blog OSSSSSSSSSSSU.