Whilst belts nowadays are a fashion statement mixed with practicality, this has not always been the case. Ever wondered about how our belts evolved? Well, keep reading to find out.
Ancient Origins of Belts
Belts have been a staple in an outfit for a long time, however, in ancient history they served to be more functional than fashionable, and the ancient Romans are the catalyst for what we wear around our waists today. Whilst the first report of a belt being worn was in the bronze age (between 330 and 1200 BC), in the Roman empire military belts served the purpose of carrying knives and swords to ensure soldiers were ready for combat, they became standard military equipment for battle, providing armies the upper hand.
Leather belts became popular among Greek and Roman soldiers for their flexibility and durability, this granted them freedom of movement and also a bit of extra protection (which I’m certain didn’t go unappreciated).
Whilst belts primarily served for practical reasons, their purpose varied in different cultures. For example, in the Mongolian culture belts were honoured so highly that upon their exchange this was used as a way to seal alliance. In addition, the Franks believed that a man seized power over his enemy once capturing his belt. Belts remain significant today, for example in boxing where the champions are crowned with a belt, and in other fighting sports such a karate where the colour of a belt is symbolic of a person’s skill rank.
Belts as Fashion Accessories
By the 19th century, the belt had developed into being a decorative accessory as well as a utilitarian part of military uniforms. In the past, officers had won very tight and wide belts around their waists on the outside of their uniform, this was to hold a Saber and for aesthetic reasons, it was discovered that belts had the power to give the wearer a trimmer-looking physique, which was idolised and desired back in the day. During the Crimean Wars, this effect was further exaggerated with a small corset worn underneath the uniform. It is quite amusing that the today’s popular waist belt for women was originally invented by male soldiers; for some reason, it was deemed necessary and important for officers.
Even though men in Europe had started wearing pants in the 16th century, it took until the middle part of the 19th century for trouser waists to fall to a lower line and belt loops to be created. The belt finally transcended its application as a military tool turning it into an essential accessory.
Did Women Always Wear Belts?
Women started wearing belts much later than men but they did so for the same utilitarian reasons. Women in the Middle Ages carried their purses and fans on their belts; In a way, the belt was the predecessor of the modern bag as we know it. However, with the invention of the handbag and the popularity of blouses and long skirts, belts were free to lose its utilitarian character and become more of a style statement. Waist belts remain popular to this day, but ladies have also been using belts for trousers since the 1930s.
For women, belts have transformed into an essential fashion piece with the potential to be beautiful, sophisticated and elegant. Long gone are the days when belts were limited to just holding a piece of garment in place: nowadays, it can harmonise an entire outfit when combined or contrasted with other accessories like handbags and shoes, add class or colour to a casual outfit, flatter figures or draw attention to a waist. The latest example of a woman fully integrating belts into her style is Michele Obama who wore various widths of belts over dresses, cardigans and even coats and looked good doing it.