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Turquoise Belt Buckles Revisited

Posted on May 8, 2008 by admin Filed Under History, History of the Western Belt Buckle, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

Last week I highlighted a gorgeous J.W. Cooper turquoise belt buckle. Today I’m posting a few interesting facts on turquoise and its historic roots as a gift given to represent adoration and love. Did you know that Napoleon presented Empress Marie Louise with a crown of diamonds and turquoise on their wedding day?
As for belt buckles, turquoise was worn by American Indians as a means of carrying and indicating ones wealth. The concho belt buckle they favored is still popular, worn low on the hips over pants and skirts for women or affixed to a well-made leather belt and worn with jeans for men.

Belt Buckles that Inspire…Riots

Posted on April 15, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Collecting Belt Buckles, History, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

Collecting vintage belt buckles is a popular endeavor. Archaeologists and historians often chronicle their finds in books focused on buckles of a particular type. Some books, however, are bound to be controversial. Confederate Belt Buckles and Plates, a compendium of Civil War relics, is one such book.
It may have historic value–so does a Confederate flag but I wouldn’t buy one of those either– but for anyone considering wearing a Confederate Belt Buckle, well, let’s just say it’s probably best not to stroll through any neighborhood within walking distance of a MLK Boulevard.
Wearing the wrong belt buckle can get you in a tight spot. Witness the flap over Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2007 Time Magazine cover. His pinstriped suit looked nice. Mayor Mike appeared shell shocked. The article was interesting. But what people were talking about was The Governator’s belt buckle. The silver skull buckle is a hand-me-down from his Father, an alleged member of the SS–there is much disagreement about whether he was a member of the SS, SA or German Military Police–and it has been suggested that the buckle is a Third Reich original. Before solving that mystery, the question that comes to my mind is ‘Doesn’t Arnold have a publicist or a stylist or Maria Shriver to keep him out of trouble’?
Collecting artifacts is one way to honor human history. Just be advised, your belt buckle may advertise and if the message you’re sending could get you shot, reconsider.

For other, less controversial books on collecting vintage and western belt buckles, click here.

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.

900 Year-Old Belt Buckle Found in Sewer

Posted on March 7, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, History, History of the Western Belt Buckle, Special Buckles, Vintage Belt Buckles | Leave a Comment

This medieval belt buckle was found in a collapsed sewer in Perth. The sewer water prevented the buckles copper alloy construction from decomposing. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy it on ebay but it’s nice to know the fashions we follow are so deeply rooted in history. For the full story, click here.

How to be a “Man of Style”

Posted on February 26, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Fashion, Fun, History | 1 Comment

Fashion vs. Style: It’s like comparing apples and oranges. A fashionable man changes his taste according to mid-month deliveries of GQ. But the “Man of Style” is timeless. In terms of clothing, he knows what he stands for and what he just can’t stand. Think Robert Redford, George Clooney. These guys trandscend trends and top-sellers and dress according to their own personal panache.

But what is fashion, really? Seasonal must-have’s are, often, not seasonal at all. A 1990 New York Times article touted belt buckles the “new jewelry” for women. A 2002 Golf Digest article explained Tiger Wood’s frequent donning of a rodeo-esque belt buckle and it’s soon-to-follow pervasive appearance on golfers young and old. Today, rappers are sporting iced out belt buckles with their initials in diamonds. All this leads me to believe that fashion doesn’t really fluctuate all that much.

My advice: If you like belt buckles–western belt buckles, modern belt buckles, blinged-out belt buckles or leather belt buckles–buy one and wear it often. That way, if you commit a crime against clothes and wear blue when the fashion Gods deem brown the new black (confusing, no?) you’ll still be a Man of Style. At least, that’s what The New York Times, Golf Digest and P. Diddy say. And they are the authorities.

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