Posted on April 22, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Fashion | Leave a Comment
A recent Detroit Free Free Press article touts exotic skin belts and rock star belt buckles as the current “it” items in Menswear. As one interviewee explained, “There’s not a lot for men to do or change when it comes to fashion.” A cool belt buckle provides a solution, mixing easily into a ready-made ensemble and spicing up the standard suit/jeans/tee trifecta that is the typical man’s work week to weekend wardrobe.
Among the best ideas the article put forth was the favorite rock band belt buckle. Specifically, it suggested wearing buckles with the insignias of Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd. I couldn’t agree more, although I’d restrict these to weekend wear only. Pair with casual denim, colorful sneakers and a well-fit tee shirt for day and crisp, dark denim, leather boots and blazer for night.
Posted on April 21, 2008 by admin Filed Under Celebs, Collecting Belt Buckles, Pick of the Week, Quotes, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment
I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So trust me when I say that one of the coolest belt buckles I’ve seen so far has got to be the Scarface belt buckle. It features a photo of Pacino centered, Caesar-like, between four laurel leaves with a scroll reading “Money, Power, Respect” beneath. The silver buckle measures a little more than three inches wide and is so well detailed you can see the pinstripes in Pacino’s suit. Make way for the bad guy.
Posted on April 16, 2008 by admin Filed Under History of the Western Belt Buckle | 1 Comment
The 80’s were fun, weren’t they? In addition to great leaps in technology–remember beta max?– the 80’s played host to some seriously wacky fashion. Observe the Apple Belt Buckle.
Ok, so not all the cool kids were wearing one then. But if you work in tech, it might score you some points with your boss. And who could resist spouting one-liners like “ever been to the big apple?”
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.
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.