subject: Western Belt Buckles are Not Just for Cowboys! [print this page] Western Belt Buckles are Not Just for Cowboys!
It has been established by American Cowboy Magazine the Levi Strauss designed and created the first bespoke western belt buckle for rodeo winners in the 1930s. Prior to this date, the western-style belt buckles weren't really worn by anybody but those associated with the cowboy way of life. However, after this date, people whose origins were outside the old west and the related American states of Texas, Florida and California slowly began to adopt this fashion as well. Now, in the second decade of the new millennium, people are just crazy for them and the craze is still growing.
As the individual styles of today become more unique and garish, demand for the proud, 'in your face', original western style is becoming more widely adopted. However, the styles of these belt buckles aren't just that of the original huge size and shiny metal, they can range down to the plain bronze or pewter with a slight western flare that are more subtle and classy.
Western belt buckles range from really big Texas state-seals and giant guns to simple, smart silver buckles. They are also highly valuable collector's items, particularly those actually worn during the age of the old west in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Despite their surprising range in boldness of design, the bottom line is that you buy them because you want to make a statement, or at least start a conversation and they can look as cool and uniquely interesting as you want. They also range hugely in price to suit anybody's price range.
There are so many thousands of western belt buckles in so many online stores that it is often overwhelming to choose one. The mostly appear in traditional silver and occasionally gold and tend to be designed based on motifs relevant to the old west such as rifles, revolvers, stars, American flags, skulls, bullets, lassos, spurs, cowboy boots & hats, playing cards, horses & horseshoes, longhorn bulls, eagles and combinations to make literally countless quality designs. There are also a huge range of designs depicting the ancient Native American tribes such as the Navajo, and their many symbol and emblems such as headdresses, feathers and bows and arrows.
Western belt buckles are often commissioned as custom belt buckles for traditional occasions such as for rodeo competitions as trophies or for group affiliation with clubs. Many Americans also wear them as patriotic devotion to their country with buckles that sport the American flag or quotes from the constitution. These traditional uses of western belt buckles are still very much alive today except now people also use them for general purpose fashion accessories to bring their outfit together in a unique and original way.
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