Belt buckles have been around for ages. In 1822 Albert Thurston first introduced belt buckles to the world. Although people associate belt buckles with the west and their western wear, it was the Roman soldiers who embraced them as part of their accessories in the middle ages. It was during the civil world when buckle belts were introduced to the military that many blacksmiths started their mass production, leading to the falling of prices that even cowboys could wear them.
In early 1930-1950, we could also witness Hollywood stars gracing the screen wearing the modern buckle belts. To cite one example, in the 1969 movie True Gift, John Wayne was wearing buckle belts and completing his overall cowboy look. Today, wearing sterling buckles is more like a trend. They are also available in different styles and designs. Below are a few types of sterling belt buckles you should know.
Animal belt buckle.
Having a piece of animal belt buckle can help you express your style and personality. If you are looking for beautifully hand-crafted ones, you can consider choosing those made in Texas. Some of the designs you will get include fish, reptiles, and horses. And all of them are constructed with solid sterling silver.
Dress buckle.
For women pitching for a chic country girl look, a dress buckle can be a perfect option. They are also great to wear to any occasion. When you go to church, formal parties, or any ranch event. When looking for sterling buckles, be sure to look from a store where you can get smooth polished and engraved buckles. You can also choose between a classic or western style belt buckle or create a custom option to meet your needs.
Ranger belt buckles.
As the name suggests, these belt buckles can be found in a wide range of ranger style, and it was named after the famed Texas Rangers. The demand for rangers to carry pistols while riding horses, inspired some of the ranger style belt buckles. The best part is that you can choose the one that fits you from a variety of options. So be sure to look for sterling buckles.
Engraved belt buckles.
Engraved belt buckles are mostly those having specific designs. They are custom-made and are excellent if you want to add a personal touch. You can add a logo, name, or any promotional tagline. They can also make perfect gifts to give any cowboy or country girl.
Here are a few functionalities you can consider.
The auto-grip buckles: The auto-grip buckles have a stylish grip feature and they are created in a way to give more power to hold, and these types of belts are often worn casually.
The tongue buckles: These buckles are mostly designed with metal loops and pin. There are two types of tongue buckles- the classic ones that have a prong attached to a bar and the conventional buckles that comprise the bar, prong, and frame.
Auto press buckle: This is another type of a locking buckle but it is designed without the teeth. It has a lock mechanism that can loosen or tighten any time as and when required.
There is no denying that sterling cowboy belt buckles are stylish and versatile. We also remember most Hollywood wood actors by their cowboy look and style. If you want to pay tribute to Hollywood actors of the early or mid 20th century, you can look for sterling silver buckles.