Belt is not just a piece to keep your pants up, but it quietly whispers about your style sense as well. Even the cowboys, Roman soldiers, and Chinese nomads are known to have worn belts around their waist. Earlier, most people used to take belts just as a functionality, and not as a fashion accessory. This is the item that most people bought without giving due thought to the belt buckles. But keeping at par with today’s fashion needs, buckles are now available in a multitude of sizes, types and materials. Some are even embellished with attractive designs, crystals, pearls, and adornments. Here is a guide to select the right buckles as per your requirement.
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| Belt Buckles |
Choosing the Right Material
Belt buckles can be made up of different materials. Most common ones are:
- Brass: Buckles made of this material look classic and match perfectly well with western wear. Brass develops a layer called patina, that makes the buckle look even better as it ages.
- Steel: Buckles made of steel or stainless steel look elegant on black belts, and match well with dark business suits. Some of them even come adorned with some turquoise and other adornments.
- Pewter: These buckles have a darker shade than steel and brass and are heavier in weight too. Some of them come with engravings too. They last long and do not get scratched easily even after several years of use.
- Iron: Iron belt buckles are strong and sturdy, but over time, they develop a layer of rust that does not look that good.
- Wood: Wooden buckles are cheaper, and they can be given impressive designs with the help of manual tools or simple machines. Their dull appearance can be enhanced with plasterwork or painted designs, but they tend to come off easily if exposed to moisture.
- Pearl: Buckles made of pearls are usually designed for women’s dresses. However, the colour may vary, ranging from white and grey to brown and yellow. The quality may also vary. The better the quality, the more you will have to pay.
Choosing the Right Type
Apart from the material, you also need to consider how the belt buckle would open and close. This depends on the ease of use you expect from your belt. Some common types include:
- Frame style: This kind of buckle has a square frame and a prong at one end. ‘D’ shape is a common one for these frames, but they are also available in square, rectangular, circular, heart, oval or other shapes. They look good with both casual and formal ensemble.
- Plate-style: These belt buckles have a 3-hook clasp with one hook at one end and two hooks at the other. This kind of buckles go very well with casual outfits.
- Box style: This kind of belt buckles have a back, post and front, due to which they are most commonly installed on web belts. Some of them also contain a metal tip for easy operation. They are often worn with casual clothes.
- Snap style: Belts with this kind of buckle have one end fixed with the buckle and the other end left loose to be adjusted as per the requirement.
- O-ring style: Usually made up of metal or plastic, this buckle does not have any prongs. It can be easily secured just by loosening or pulling the strap of the belt. These buckles look well with formal, casual and semi-casual dresses.
Now that you know the different styles and materials of belt buckles, choose one of the best belt buckles as per your outfit needs and suit your personality.