The Beginning of The Buckle
The belt buckle that we know today has evolved over two millennia. It was first created in places like China and Rome, and served a functional purpose. As the centuries progressed, belt buckles became more intricate and made use of many types of materials, including bones and antlers.
The first belt buckles used by the Romans were D-shaped and square-shaped, and were created by blacksmiths from iron. Fast forward a few centuries and iron belt buckles were replaced with cast bronze buckles. Throughout the entire fifth century, belt buckles became extremely popular in Europe. By the 13th century, they had gone from simply being utilitarian to also being decorative.
An American Influence
The Civil War in the U.S. had a huge impact on the way belt buckles currently look. Navajo silversmiths and blacksmiths played a large role in designing the Western buckle look. Before the 1900’s, most cowboys either used belt buckles that resembled those used in the Civil War, or they used suspenders. However, by the start of the 20th century, dozens of manufacturers were making high quality belt buckles.
Today: The Stretching Belt of the Future
While belt buckles remain popular to this day, women now have more options when it comes to fashion and comfort. In fact, there is a new trend in belts that do not have a buckle. The InfinityBelt, for example, is a stylish way for women to keep their pants secure while avoiding the bulge that belt buckles produce under a shirt or blouse. The InfinityBelt allows their clothing to maintain a chic and smooth appearance.