I finally got my handmaid belt today and I'm a bit disappointed that it has elastic in it. I think the description really should have mentioned the elastic, and the photo should have shown it. Upon really close inspection, I can see a bit of fabric that isn't leather in the photo of the red belt, but you can't see that on the brown belt.
I got mine the other day as well and am sending it back for a refund since it has the elastic. I'm really surprised that they 'failed' to mention that detail in the description.