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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.

Pick of the Week: The Cadillac of Belt Buckles

Posted on April 14, 2008 by admin Filed Under Fun, Pick of the Week, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

I’ve kinda had a car theme going lately–Mustang and Ford seatbelts refashioned as belt buckles–and have, in the past, highlighted funtional belt buckles. Well, here’s the cadillac of cool belt buckles…literally.
Part hood ornament, part bottle opener, the caddy belt buckle is all class. Of course, you must unhook the buckle to open your Michelob–not so classy–but, it’s a great icebreaker at dull parties.
The above photo, courtesy of Amazon.com, is the back of the belt buckle. Front detail photo available here.

Top Five Green Belt Buckles

Posted on April 11, 2008 by admin Filed Under Fashion, Fun, Special Buckles, Top Fives | Leave a Comment

Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Bring your own shopping bags to the supermarket. Separate paper from plastic from coffee tins in the trash. Here’s another easy way to minimize your carbon footprint and look good doing it.

Below, my five fave belt buckles composed of recycled parts:

1. The skate deck belt buckle. Skateboards have come a long way since Nash. Graphic images and vibrant colors make old boards ideal for recycling.
2. Book cover belts. Where do books go when the orphanage turns them out? On your belt buckle, of course. Great for dinner parties, where you can play “stump the pretentious literati” seated next to you.
3. Bike part belt buckles. Perfect gift for bike messengers and the CEO who wants the bike messenger that delivers his specs to think he’s cool.
4. Elk and Antler Shed buckles. In the western wear tradition, these buckles are inspired by the great outdoors and are just plain beautiful.
5. The Seatbelt belt buckle. Mentioned this one the other day but it’s worth repeating. Ask any hipster; irony=cool. Hence the leg warmers and Members Only jackets the kids are wearing.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle!

Pick of the Week: Obvious Genius

Posted on April 9, 2008 by admin Filed Under Fashion, Fun, Pick of the Week, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

Sometimes innovation is so obvious as to be invisible. Take this million dollar idea, for example: Convert a buckle into a buckle! That’s precisely what Automate did when it re-fashioned a seatbelt into a proper belt buckle. Why didn’t I think of that?

I prefer the Mustang buckle–the insignia is just so cool–but Amazon.com offers the Ford version of the same. Just don’t forsake an actual seatbelt for this faux version whilst driving. It may save you from getting a ticket–”but Officer, I am wearing a seatbelt”–but it won’t save you if you’re in a fender bender. Buckle up!

An Ace That I Can Keep

Posted on April 2, 2008 by admin Filed Under Fashion, Fun, Special Buckles | 1 Comment

High-rollers, low-rollers, poker tourney playas and poker tourney posers, this buckle is for you. Simple, iconic and buffed to a highbeam finish, the mystique of the Ace of Spades makes for a perfect belt buckle.
For a taste of your whiskey, I’ll give you some advice: This belt buckle is not a fashion gamble. Find it, buy it, wear it, and watch their eyes shift when you sidle up to the table.

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