Re: Why no pant's belts in the west?
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2006, 03:14:39 pm »
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We've covered this before and there's more in the back pages - but once more - we'll re-visit.
Though 'belts' have been around - 'trouser' belts haven't, since there were no trouser loops.
They're essentially a turn of the century invention.
Braces, galluses, or suspenders - all were used during the time - as were the high-waisted trousers.
They were effectively 'hidden' - both from view and from entanglement - by vests and coats - and 'all' men wore those as working dress.
If you didn't like wearing a pair - for reasons best known to yourself - then the adjustment belt was available at the rear and could be tightened as needed.
Many men did this - using friction to hold their pants in place.
The sewn trouser loop wouldn't become a 'staple' of men's furnishings for many years - despite what's seen in the 'John Ford Reference Library'...
I 'do' like this quote from the Dodge City Live Stock Journal:
"A fashion item says that leather belts are in favor.
They were in favor here at one time.
Perhaps there was a difference in them.
Ours were studded with cartridges, and were very popular..."
Vaya,
Scouts Out!