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History of the Western Belt Buckle

Today, the western belt buckle is popular as a fashion accessory. From the president of the United States to Texas oil millionaires to well dressed businessmen and women, the belt buckle represents a way to set off an outfit with flair and style. But like many fashion items, the belt buckle started out as a practical invention.

A belt buckle is a clasp used to fasten two ends of a belt. An Italian blacksmith in the sixteenth century, Tomaso Kellioni, is often credited with the “invention” of the belt buckle as a way of fastening belts, boots and shoes. Actually the history of the belt buckle is much longer and buckles have been found from the Asian Bronze age, thousands of years before the birth of Christ.

We are told that belt buckles made of silver and gold were common on the Asian continent during the second and third century BC when they were worn over long tunics by semi nomadic Chinese people. These buckles were lavishly decorated and were considered a sign of high status. Only the rich and powerful could afford such fine belt buckles. Belt buckles were even the spoils of battle in those ancient days.

The Belt Buckle as fashion statement
But before they became fashion accessories, belt buckles served the very practical purpose of holding up their owners trousers! Once belt buckles were an accepted part of dress, the next step was to expand their design so that the buckle was designed to enhance the look of the leather or cloth belt and finally to serve as its own fashion statement.

Today, belt buckles are more popular than ever. They are an important fashion accessory for both men and women. This is true for traditional business dress belt buckles but it especially true for the category of belt buckle known as “Western Belt Buckles” or “Cowboy Belt Buckles” or “Rodeo Belt Buckles.” The Western Belt buckle is part of American folklore. And like most folklore, its origins are surprising.
You might think that if you could go back in time to the Old West, that you would see the cowboys and sheriffs walking around proudly showing off their big fancy belt buckles. You would expect to see Silver Belt Buckles and Gold Belt Buckles and Belt Buckles with fancy metal designs. But if you could go back in time to the old west, you would discover that the cowboys didn’t have belt buckles because they didn’t even have belts. The cowboys of the old west wore suspenders.

So where did the Western Belt Buckle come from? Like many of the cultural and fashion trends in America, western belt buckles came from the movies. At the time in Hollywood when the Cowboy movies were popular, the costume designers wanted their stars to look stylish and distinctive. Belt buckles set them apart. The movie people were not trying to start a fashion trend but that’s what happened. Today Western Belt Buckles are worn proudly by our own president, the governor of California as well as celebrities and movie stars and also my millions of others who want to add a distinctive touch to their wardrobes.

Western Belt Buckles: an unlimited variety
Western buckles are highly prized and some custom designed buckles sell for thousands of dollars. On the other hand, these buckles are so popular that they are also available in virtually thousands of affordably priced versions. Buckles today come in all sizes and are made of all kinds of materials such as plastic, silver, wood and even gold. Buckles are made to be seen. Some are covered with costume jewelry and some are covered with diamonds or other precious jewelry. There are even belt buckles that light up and others that transmit digital messages.

In every case, the belt buckle has become the fashion accessory that proves individuality.

From the beginning of history, belt buckles have been created and used to denote a person’s profession and status. Military buckles may denote rank and specialty of service. Various professions have decorative buckles that signify their association, for example: fireman, military, police. The most dramatic and ornate example of belt buckles can be found at the rodeo where riders go to great expense to create the most impressive and individual buckle.

As more and more people seek individuality in the way they dress, it is safe to assume that we will see more and more distinctive belt buckles becoming available. There will be designer belt buckles that will cost thousands of dollars and more affordable belt buckles made form every conceivable material. If you want to show your individuality in your dress, you can’t go wrong by choosing a unique belt buckle.

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