You may not realize it but belt buckles play a huge part in our fashion ensemble today, it may seem like such a petty little detail, a belt buckle, but we can assure you that it can make or break your outfit. Belt buckles have been around since the Iron Age and they were primarily shield and tongue styles with the shield being elaborately decorated. The oldest buckle to be found was from a 7th century grave and it was in Finglesham, Kent; so that should tell you that these little trinkets were sought after. There are SIX types of buckles that are in production today, some are more popular than others but we're sure you've seen all the styles at some point or other.
Frame-style: These are the oldest design our of the four, they sport a frame-and-prong buckle where the prong attaches to one end of the frame and extends "away" from the wearer through a hole in the belt where it anchors on the opposite side of the frame. The oldest styles have a loop or "D" shape but "double-loop" and "center post" buckles whose prongs attach to a fixed center section made their appearance in the 8th century.
Plate-style: Found commonly on western military belts of the mid-19th century, they feature a three-hook clasp: two hooks fitting into one end of the belt and a third into the other. Officers might have a similar but more intricate clasp-style closure that featured two interlocking metal parts. When you hear the term "belt plate" it often refers to any flat, decorated surface on a clasp. These precede modern "western-style" buckles, which feature a hinged frame affixed to one end of the belt and a simple hook clasp which enters the belt hole toward the wearer but leaves most of the buckle which provides an ample surface for decoration.
Box-out: These styles are the traditional belt seen today, usually made with an enduring leather or other synthetic material as the band, these belt buckles are less functional but more fashionable. These belts became hugely popular after Hollywood began using them in movies for a "fresh, new look." They dominate belt production and are viewed as a more attractive belt than the other styles.
Box-frame: This is another 20th-century style of military friction buckle, common on web/canvas belts. The box-frame buckle consists of three parts: front, back and post. An adjustable captive post sits perpendicular to the belt to press it against the outer "box" which completely surrounds the webbing and minimizes accidental adjustments should part of the belt get snagged or caught. There may or may not be a metal tip on the opposite "tongue" end of the belt.
Western-style: Something that is more synonymous with Rodeos, these belts have the most decorative shield, and usually depict anything relating to a rodeo or western atmosphere. They are commonly collected as trophies and are given as awards during Rodeos and other Western-styled events. Most commonly, though, the picture depicted on the shield is an engraving of a Longhorn skull with some elaborate markings around it.
O-Ring: You've seen it before on braided leather belts, webbed belts, canvas nautical belts, and aviator inspired belts. That's because it's easiest to adjust the length of the belt based on the double 'o' ring styled buckle. Two circles that overlap, it gives the wearer ease of use and you may not have to buy your exact belt size in order to wear one of these types.
Frame-style: These are the oldest design our of the four, they sport a frame-and-prong buckle where the prong attaches to one end of the frame and extends "away" from the wearer through a hole in the belt where it anchors on the opposite side of the frame. The oldest styles have a loop or "D" shape but "double-loop" and "center post" buckles whose prongs attach to a fixed center section made their appearance in the 8th century.
Plate-style: Found commonly on western military belts of the mid-19th century, they feature a three-hook clasp: two hooks fitting into one end of the belt and a third into the other. Officers might have a similar but more intricate clasp-style closure that featured two interlocking metal parts. When you hear the term "belt plate" it often refers to any flat, decorated surface on a clasp. These precede modern "western-style" buckles, which feature a hinged frame affixed to one end of the belt and a simple hook clasp which enters the belt hole toward the wearer but leaves most of the buckle which provides an ample surface for decoration.
Box-out: These styles are the traditional belt seen today, usually made with an enduring leather or other synthetic material as the band, these belt buckles are less functional but more fashionable. These belts became hugely popular after Hollywood began using them in movies for a "fresh, new look." They dominate belt production and are viewed as a more attractive belt than the other styles.
Box-frame: This is another 20th-century style of military friction buckle, common on web/canvas belts. The box-frame buckle consists of three parts: front, back and post. An adjustable captive post sits perpendicular to the belt to press it against the outer "box" which completely surrounds the webbing and minimizes accidental adjustments should part of the belt get snagged or caught. There may or may not be a metal tip on the opposite "tongue" end of the belt.
Western-style: Something that is more synonymous with Rodeos, these belts have the most decorative shield, and usually depict anything relating to a rodeo or western atmosphere. They are commonly collected as trophies and are given as awards during Rodeos and other Western-styled events. Most commonly, though, the picture depicted on the shield is an engraving of a Longhorn skull with some elaborate markings around it.
O-Ring: You've seen it before on braided leather belts, webbed belts, canvas nautical belts, and aviator inspired belts. That's because it's easiest to adjust the length of the belt based on the double 'o' ring styled buckle. Two circles that overlap, it gives the wearer ease of use and you may not have to buy your exact belt size in order to wear one of these types.