Dating to the Bronze Age, history shows that both men and women wore fashionable, appealing belt buckles accessories.
The Chinese wore long tunics, adorned with belt buckles around their waists. Often times, the belt buckles were extremely ornate and considered a sign of wealth and status. Germanic people often wore belt buckles that represented animals engaged in mortal combat, depicting their violent way of life.
Many people collect belt buckles, especially those that are custom buckles made during a particular historic period. Some of the most valuable belt buckles can be seen in museums, though many collectors prize the American Civil War designs.
The Roaring Twenties saw a shift in men’s clothing. No longer were overalls and suspenders common. As waistlines fell on men’s trousers, they began to rest at a natural waistline. Men began to wear belt buckles as a way to hold their pants in place, keeping them resting comfortably against their waists. Additionally, Art Nouveau belt buckles are highly sought after by collectors, as these unique pieces date back to the early 1900’s.
Today’s modern society wears belt buckles as a form of self-expression. Belt buckles come in a vast assortment of shapes and sizes and have evolved into a must-have fashion accessory. For example, Inola Castings allows customers to create and design custom belt buckles.
Western belt buckle trends gained momentous popularity in classic, old Hollywood western movies, setting Audie Murphy and John Wayne apart from the run-of-the-mill crowd. Today, western-style belt buckle trends include colorful designs, such as the U.S. flag and the American eagle.
Often time’s military belt buckles denote a certain rank, proving that belt buckles are meant to be seen! Blending practicality with a fashion-forward sense of style, belt buckles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Inola Castings works with customers to create unique belt buckle designs. Shapes range from oval, rectangular to circular and even custom shapes. Their sizes include 2”, 2-1/2”, 3”, 3-1/2” and 4” belt buckles. Pewter and zinc-based materials are available, making these custom designs trendy and sturdy.
Belt buckles also afford a blank canvas for advertising. Inola Castings works with customers to create unique brand logos, personal messages, decals, product pictures or even business card-style buckles. This is also ideal for police and fire departments, so that their members can display their occupation with pride.
A simple, engraved belt buckle can emulate a fine piece of jewelry, making a simple, yet classic statement that is memorable.