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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

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.

Battlefield Belt Buckles

Posted on May 14, 2008 by admin Filed Under Collecting Belt Buckles, History, History of the Western Belt Buckle, Special Buckles, Vintage Belt Buckles | 1 Comment

Anyone into vintage, military or just plain collecting belt buckles has gotta check out John Gawne’s incredible collection of 20th century military buckles. The author of Finding Your Father’s War has collected more than a dozen buckles from World Wars I & II and all are used or “have seen action”, as he puts it.

Gawne’s collection includes belt buckles recovered from battlefields as distant as Estonia and familiar as Pottsdam. The above buckle is a WWII German military buckle that features the notorious Gott Mit Uns (God With Us) signature logo. Gawne found it at Gorp en Roovert, a remote battlefield on the Dutch-Belgian Border.

These buckles aren’t made for wearin’. They’re made for admiring. And for reflecting.

Raising the Bar for Western Belt Buckles

Posted on April 23, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Vintage Belt Buckles | Leave a Comment

Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR’s most popular driver, has opened his very own watering hole in Charlotte, North Carolina that features a bar rimmed with vintage western belt buckles. Not only is it gorgeous but it’s one of the finest recycling efforts I’ve seen in a while. I just hope they’re affixed with more than superglue. Creative collectors might get sticky fingers after a few beers.

For What It’s Worth

Posted on March 28, 2008 by admin Filed Under Special Buckles, Vintage Belt Buckles | Leave a Comment

There are many ways to honor loved ones who’ve passed. I once wrote a blog about all the memorable things my Grandpa said and the country music he loved so much. One young woman keeps a piece of her Father close by wearing his favorite belt buckle. She doesn’t know where he got it or what it’s worth, but it is invaluable to her. What a beautiful way to honor the memory of someone dear. For the full story, click here.

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.

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