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Fashion or Faux Pas…Following in Fred’s Footsteps?

Posted on March 24, 2008 by admin Filed Under Celebs, Fashion, Fun, History | Leave a Comment

I adore Fred Astaire. Like most people, I see him as dashing, dignified and debonair–words not often employed by women describing their contemporary, nay courtly, loves. He wasn’t the hottest or most hulking film star but he had panache and his fashion IQ has earned him a spot in the 20th century style icon compendium compiled by nearly every individual with a TV and the AMC Channel.
But here’s the rub: Not everyone can follow in Fred’s footsteps, dancing or dressing. A blogger who noticed Fred’s penchant for wearing his belt buckle at his hip asked readers to comment on his appropriation of the look (click here for photo). My opinion? No. Most people would not understand the irony of being purposefully disheveled; rather, you’d be considered (ironically) sloppy for wearing your buckle in a manner it was not intended.
Another of Fred’s faves was tying heavily patterned, brilliant silk scarves through his belt loops. Sorry, but I wouldn’t recommend this either (unless you’re a mannequin at The Gap). It worked for Fred because a) he did it first, b) hot pink polka-dot neckerchiefs worn as belts look ok in black and white and c) he’s Fred…he can do whatever he wants. Style Guy, one of my oft-quoted, authority-who-agrees-with-me links, agrees with me on this.
Fred is sipping champagne in Heaven with Coco Chanel and Jackie O. He’s earned the paisley cravatte wrapped round his waist and the belt buckle at his hip. Dance to a new tune and make a new belt statement.

Wierd Science: The Five Coolest Geek Chic Belt Buckles

Posted on March 18, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion, Fun, Special Buckles, Top Fives | 1 Comment

High school nerds unite! Former AV team members, FBLA Presidents and anyone teased, taunted and tormented for their smarts and tech know-how rejoice. Fashion is finally on your side. Where football captains and prom queens once mocked your pocket protectors, they will now be googling online electronics stores and searching ebay for the five coolest belt buckles out there…the ones you already knew about. Clap your hands everybody, and everybody clap your hands. Revenge of the Nerds hath arrived.
1. The Scrolling LED Belt Buckle. Say what you want without saying anything at all.
2. The Search Engine Belt Buckle. People are entering some strange queries on google. Your belt buckle exposes them.
3. The NES Belt Buckle. Pretty cool but a bit awkward to actually play with. Check out the photo of the girl on the pay phone, though. She’s savvy enough for a NES belt buckle but doesn’t have a cell phone?
4. The Ajoka Camcorder Belt Buckle. Be on your best behavior if your pal wears one of these, lest your drunken dance at Coyote Ugly ends up on youtube.
5. The Hard Drive Belt Buckle. Doesn’t actually do anything but looks awesome.

Reboot your Wardrobe

Posted on March 9, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion, Fun | Leave a Comment

Cowboy boots, like big belt buckles, are hot. Frankly, I never thought they weren’t–see 1999 article on the popularity of line dancing and its attendant wardrobe in the UK and 2005 blog on summer must-haves in NYC–but I’m of Southern heritage and am, therefore, a bit biased. I now live in Williamsburg–a Brooklyn neighborhood whose residents are known for their wacked out clothes and permanent state of ennui–and am fascinated by the tendency among city folk to appropriate southern style.
Witness the number of twenty-something trendies kicking up their heels in vintage cowboy boots. They’re on the catwalk, on the red carpet, on a bikini-clad Britney Spears at the beach (I wouln’t recommend this look).
Urban guys and gals eager to go a little country should follow one basic rule: don’t overdo it. Vintage cowboy boots look great on women in skinny jeans and a whispy blouse. For men, dark denim and a fitted, tucked-in-only-at-the-belt buckle tee are great complements to well-worn cowboy boots. Saddling up in western wear suggests a cowboy lifestyle, so unless you’re herding cattle or bailing hay, leave the boot, belt buckle, big hat combo to the originals.

My Belt Buckle Made the Dean’s List….

Posted on March 7, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion, Fun, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

Ok. This is too much. A recent eHow column on “How to Buy a Belt Buckle”–umm, find one you like, retrieve wallet, pay cashier, leave store??–advised that shoppers look at functional belt buckles as one option when choosing a buckle: “A new trend is buckles that serve a purpose other than holding your pants up.” The author goes on to explain that many belt buckles “hold small flasks, pocket knives, throwing stars or even very small firearms.”
What? Very small firearms? Who came up with this?..a vocal group of high-fashion criminals concerned that carrying a gun the old-fashioned way, in their pockets, made them look fat? I guess “Don’t Mess with Texas” is more than just a slogan on the wall at DFW.
Despite the articles misguided examples, the suggestion that “functional” belt buckles are gaining popularity is dead on. Target sells a bottle opener belt buckle and buckles that hold the wearers ipod are sure to be a hit among young’ns. Just steer clear of the belt buckle/concealed weapon combo. Lockdown at Folsom Prison no longer includes a free Johnny Cash concert.

Cowgirls are Indians

Posted on February 28, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion, Fun | 2 Comments

This one’s for the ladies. A February 29th article in The Times of India reports that rhinestone, metallic and beaded belt buckles are the new it items when accessorizing everything from jeans and tees to sundresses. Tunics and daishikis come to mind when I think of India but, apparently, Bollywood has gone Hollywood when it comes to fashion. Goa figure.

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