I'm wearing that EXACT same mall belt in your first picture right now. Except mine was bough in a Denver Colorado USA mall, and is stamped "Made in Italy". They're probably all made in China and stamped with whatever country they think will bring the most sales.

And before this current belt, I had the EXACT same one too. Except that one was bought in Austin Texas USA. I don't remember what it was stamped though. Probably "Hand crafted by skilled Sasquatch craftsmen in a zero gravity environment" or something similarly intriguing.

Mine have all worn out in the exact same manner as your picture!