Big for Boys, Thin for Girls: Summer Belt & Buckle Trends

Posted on May 30, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion, Fun, Vintage Belt Buckles | Leave a Comment

stevenspwns buckle collection Shoulder pads are back. High waisted trousers are back. Even grunge is back. Ugggh…remember grunge? Growing up, my family didn’t have a lot of cash so I’ve never understood looking intentionally broke and dirty. But that’s another story. The point is retro, old-school, whatever you dub it, is in and belt buckles play a big part in the revival. Fashion mags and style blogs are touting vintage belt buckles for men and slender, waist-accentuating belts for women this summers go-to accessories.
I’m a believer. Memorial day weekend was the first actual summer-like weather we’ve received in New York and I got a glimpse of what summer fashion will look like. A friend hosted a BBQ wherein I counted no less than 17 uber-cool belts/belt buckles on attendees. Most of the gals wore cotton floral dresses with gladiator sandals (I don’t get this combo but, again, another story) and cinched their waists with multiple thin belts. The fellas–surprise, surprise–diversified. One cool cat paired madras shorts with a pewter “Don’t Mess with Texas” buckle and white polo, a la Anthony Kim (see previous posts on the PGA/western belt buckle connection). Another went Williamsburg ironic with jeans, tee and and an “I heart Jesus” buckle. When I asked him about religion he told me he was Jewish. I heart New York.
Whatever your take, sift through Mom and Dad’s closets, stop by a stoop sale or log on to my personal fave, amazon, for second-hand belts and belt buckles with patina and a past.

**photo courtesy of Stevenspwns at Flicker.

Resin: Another Reason to Love Belt Buckles

Posted on May 29, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Collecting Belt Buckles, Fashion, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

resin buckle Anyone into collecting belt buckles must see those by Brooks Salzwedel. What was, at first, a fluke–Salzwedel was working on an art school project when one of his assignments looked very much like a belt buckle–has turned into a full-fledged business. His buckles are now carried in stores from New York to LA.
Salzwedel’s buckles are, indeed, art. Reminiscent of the plastic buttons and baubles that adorned the lapels of well-dressed women in the 40’s and 50’s, the resin buckles range in design from bold and graphic to cloudy and scenic and can be worn with equal ease by guys and gals.

Riddle: What Do Belt Buckles and Belvedere Vodka Have in Common?

Posted on May 22, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fun | Leave a Comment

belvedere ad Answer: Both are products representing a “luxury lifestyle”. Of course, to buy that line of thinking you’d have to define luxury as drinking red bull and vodka and performing public fellatio. Perhaps Paris Hilton is the target audience? It would probably not be the definition of luxury if you were a reader of Wired, the magazine in which the ad first appeared–seriously flawed marketing, as Freddy Nager points out in his Cool Rules Pronto column.

But ad placement and overtly sexual innuendo are not the problem with this ad. The problem is in the styling. Seriously, folks. The “satisfied” chap with the belt buckle is not a jet-setting hipster, he’s a cowboy and when have you known a real cowboy to drink Belvedere? And how do I know he’s a cowboy? Well….
1. His shirt is bright white and entirely tucked in. Hipsters buy withered second-hand shirts and tuck them in only behind the buckle for that disheveled, “I’m not trying too hard” look.
2. His denim is crisp, lacks stretch and pulled taut around the family jewels. No low-rise, skinny jeans for this guy.
3. He’s erect…er, standing up straight. Hipsters slouch.

So, I’ll ask again. What do Belt Buckles and Belvedere Vodka Have in Common? Answer: Aside from the fact that they’re both nouns, nada. Long live cowboys who work a full day, tuck in their shirts and respect women. I’m off now for a quick game of tennis and a relaxing shiatsu massage…just as soon as I finish drinking my Schlitz on the rocks.

Flower Power: Femme Belt Buckles for Spring

Posted on May 13, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion | Leave a Comment

hibiscus buckle
Everything’s coming up roses…and tulips and orchids. According to a recent Pittsburgh Tribune article, scarves, dresses, blouses and, of course, belt buckles are all subject to fashions’ current flower frenzy. It may have something to do with the return of Sex and the City–recall Carrie’s wonderfully wacky outfits and huge flower pins–but it may also just be Spring. Six months of black wool trousers, snow boots and an insulated overcoat that makes you look like the Michelin Man would drive even un-girly types to don pink rose petals.
outer rebel floral belt

But you don’t have to be Elle Woods to pull off these looks. The buckle at left follows the trend without taking it too far. Etched in plastic and reminiscent of bakelite, the tattoo-like design is simultaneously vintage and rock star. Clip on thin black belt, wrap around waist of pencil skirt, step into 3 inch croc heels and, voila! Up-to-the-minute fashion without having spent a fortune. As one online clothes hound noted, the best way to keep apace with trends is via accessories. And what better accesory than a beautiful belt buckle?

Double Barrel Belt Buckle

Posted on May 7, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Collecting Belt Buckles, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

b/w illustration of mardaga bb Behold the Mardaga belt buckle. Albert Mardaga, inventor and artist with 30 plus years in the gunsmithing biz, created a belt buckle with a clasp based on the break-action of a double barrel shotgun. What gun collectors find most interesting, he explains, is not the actual firing of the gun. Rather, it’s the “quality of the gunsmithing, which can be as fine as watch and other clock making skills”.
Hence the idea to create a belt buckle. Shotguns break at a hinge where they are loaded. Mardaga engineered and patented its design for use as a belt buckle. Belgian master engravers added the exquisite decoration.
Not surprisingly, the “Royal Armouries Museum” purchased the first Mardaga belt buckle on the market at Bonhams London.
For additional photos and information, click here.