Ladies Belts & Buckles: A Primer

Sears 1939

Montgomery Ward 1941

VB, thanks for all the work you've done!! it's so exciting to get to peek into your vintage catalogs and collections! my own belt collection is pretty pathetic. a lot of times i even use satin ribbon as a belt alternative, so i don't have much to offer to the thread.

Sears 1947

ShooShooBaby said:

VB, thanks for all the work you've done!! it's so exciting to get to peek into your vintage catalogs and collections! my own belt collection is pretty pathetic. a lot of times i even use satin ribbon as a belt alternative, so i don't have much to offer to the thread.

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Thank you! It really is a lot of work.

I'm sure your collection is beautiful, just like you! I'm a bit behind in responding to all the queries in this thread, but I hope you've posted your collection already so we can enjoy it with you.

Warmly,

Vintage Betty

La Mode Practique 1892

During 1892, belts were normally considered part of the outfit. Bult in exterior belts could be considered a ribbon or a length of beads attached from the hips as an embellishment falling towards the floor. Exterior corset-type cinchers or waist embellishments are also pictured below as well as the traditional buckles and belt pairings.

Note that all belts and ribbons were not centered but were also off-center as well.



September 24, 1892 Edition







October 15, 1892 Edition



December 3, 1892 Edition

National Bellas Hess Company Inc. 1930

Montgomery Ward & Co. 1931

1930 Montgomery Ward & Co.

A single study: A 1920's belt in detail

When purchasing an antique belt, one of the things you must consider is:

Is this actually an antique?

When I purchased this belt, I knew it was an authentic 1920's belt. How do you think I knew it was real? Guess the answer from the list below:

1. I purchased it from a reputable vintage clothing dealer
2. I knew that the Egyptian Revival fashion period was during the 1920's, since King Tut's Tomb was opened by Howard Carter in 1923.
3. I recognized the metal parts as being of the correct era.
4. All of the above

Before checking the answer at the bottom of this post, check your answer against the pictures below.

















If you guessed #4, you are correct! I purchased this from a long-time vintage clothing dealer who I've purchased from for years. I knew that this was part of the Egyptian Revival fashion during the 1920's, due to the Egyptian detail of the artwork. I took a look a careful look at the back of the belt to look at the nails, and confirmed the metal was antique.

The style is unusual, but was probably made at the height of the Egyptian Revival period or as an item in honor of the Tomb.

I actually put this on ebay for sale, but decided to keep it and cancel the auction because I enjoyed looking at it so much. [huh]

Now one item I haven't mentioned so far is the leather. Is it possible to tell the age of a leather belt as a consumer? Unfortunately, for a belt that is unembellished, the answer is usually no. But you can look for some tell-tale clues about age:

Is the belt new or used?
Is the belt thick or thin?
Are the belt edges worn? (Mine is! Look at the pictures.)
What type of leather was used?
Is it a type of leather that is rare or unusual in today's marketplace?
How was the back of the leather finished? Does the leather show hand-tool marks or is it professionally finished?
Does the leather smell new? Old leather doesn't typically smell.

These are some of the tips and tricks you can use to determine the age of the belt in this post. What other signs of the art deco era do you see in the photographs that I haven't mentioned yet?

What belts do you enjoy in your closet and why?

1936 Montgomery Ward

Lovely, lovely belts....

I need to step back in time to get me some of those belts!

I need a white and a cream/bone coloured 1930s one. Sigh!

If anyone can help me, let me know!

Vintage Betty, thanks for all your hard work on this. It's a great resource.

1940 Montgomery Ward

1943 Montgomery Ward

Miss Sis said:

I need to step back in time to get me some of those belts!

I need a white and a cream/bone coloured 1930s one. Sigh!

If anyone can help me, let me know!

Vintage Betty, thanks for all your hard work on this. It's a great resource.

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Miss Sis what type of belt did you need? Do you have a picture or can you show us which belt you are looking for? There just happen to be a few belts shown.

And you're welcome!

Betty, I just need plain belts to go with several outfits. I usually like thin leather ones to tone with shoes.

I know lots of people cut strips off the bottom of dresses to use to make a belt with an original buckle but I don't usually have enough fabric for that as I am tall and it would make my dresses too short for me. Ribbon looks too shiny and 'new' for my liking.

Whenever I see original I snap them up! Just haven't been able to find white or bone coloured ones yet.

1855 Godey's Lady's Book

Note that belts and buckles were not commonplace on the ladies during this period, due to the fashion. I have included girls and boys and house fashion to this post, as belt and buckle illustrations were limited in this particular book.



The first illustration shows a nice bow treatment on the lady on the right side.


The second illustration shows a repitition of the above treatment on the little girl; the lady is wearing a faux bow/belt combination on the bottom of her bodice, which is pulled in and out of the fabric.


The third illustration simply shows a standard bow on a dressing gown.

Miss Sis said:

Betty, I just need plain belts to go with several outfits. I usually like thin leather ones to tone with shoes.

I know lots of people cut strips off the bottom of dresses to use to make a belt with an original buckle but I don't usually have enough fabric for that as I am tall and it would make my dresses too short for me. Ribbon looks too shiny and 'new' for my liking.

Whenever I see original I snap them up! Just haven't been able to find white or bone coloured ones yet.

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Miss Sis, what era are you looking for? Have you thought of going to a leather store for the treated leather and buying a buckle to attach to the leather?

I'm after 1930s belts, Betty.

I hadn't thought about buying leather but that might be an option if I can find a shop. Just to be difficult, I like the buckle covered in leather too!

Miss Sis said:

I'm after 1930s belts, Betty.

I hadn't thought about buying leather but that might be an option if I can find a shop. Just to be difficult, I like the buckle covered in leather too!

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There are a number of methods you can use to cover a modern belt and make it look antique. Have you considered wrapping a buckle with leather lace or else a spare piece of leather?

Vintage Betty