Posts with tag belts

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.

If you long for the days of the mixed tape and prefer a well-loved boombox to the ubiquitous iPod, then today's featured indie designer is right up your alley. Meet Debbie Kelly of Custom Ink, an Edinburgh, Scotland based line of cassette tape belt buckles, kitschy accessories and original artwork perfect for the 80s child in you.

This is an odd pairing of belts. One says "I'm non-threatening and fun, even if perhaps behind the times" and the other says "I'm into random pieces of metal." Why Fairiesupthecreek is selling these together, we can't say. We can say we don't think you want either of them.

First of all, there's the issue of the picture: Belts hanging from a tree by a dirt road. What does that say about their wear and tear? May have been damaged by grazing deer? May have slight imperfections due to nearby frolf?

Here's what the listing says about the Blair Witch belt formation.

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Every so often, while we are browsing through t-shirts (and YouTube videos) we come across a company that offers other accessories that simply cannot be ignored. Such is the case with Jon Wye. Not only do they make some great t-shirts, but they also create some very awesome goods for the midsection.

We love cruise lines! They're so fun and glamorous and totally over the top. And nobody does cruise/resort collections better than Badgley Mischka, kings of fabulous jaw dropping gowns.

If you're a) particularly thin, b) the most self-confident person in the universe or c) a masochist, this is the fashion accessory you've been waiting for!

The Weight Belt does just what you'd think -- estimates your weight based on the size of your waist. That way you can broadcast your beefiness to the entire world every time you wear it. Which is...good?

Here's the thing: the only people I can see wearing this belt are those who are trying to loose weight (and there has to be a better way to do that than public humiliation, right?), or people so obsessed with their skinniness that they feel compelled to inform me of their poundage -- even though I had no intention of asking.

That said, you can pull off anything with the appropriate amount of irony. So if you really feel the need to give the Weight Belt a test drive, I'd recommend wearing it with an outfit that says: "I'm too cool to care about how I look." Then maybe people won't think you're a douche bag.

$18,000 isn't a lot if you're buying, say, a car. You could even get a small boat with that chunk of change. However, $18,000 sure is a lot for a belt.

The belt is made by Kale Miles, a boutique accessories designer out of New York. Most of the belts run in the range of $248-$380, which is still pretty pricey for a leather belt, but none of those compare with the platinum-buckled belt that's $18,000. Yes, it's the platinum buckle that gives the belt its hefty price tag, though the leather isn't cheap either. Kale Miles gets its leather from an unidentified English tannery that is supposedly the oldest in the world, and manufactures its belts as a single layer of leather taken from thousand-dollar cowhides.

We're not sure what to make of Kale Miles' belt. On the one hand, we're disgusted with such gross luxury, but on the other hand, we like to think that men see an $18,000 platinum buckle on a leather belt as a long-term investment the way women see their diamond engagement rings.

Remember how awesome it was when you first played Zelda, and the world was so mind-blowingly huge that you had to track your progress on a map?

Now you can relive your gaming glory days with this new belt from NerdyShirts that's totally geekchic. The belt depicts the map from the original Legend of Zelda game, complete with Link (the game's main character), holding his sword. Plus, it comes in a tin case fashioned after an old Nintendo cartridge -- awesome!

This will go great with your other uber-hip retro-gaming gear -- like the joystick belt, Mario Bros underwear, or NES controller cellphone.

Admit it, you love being a dork.

Earlier, I noted Britney Spears' recent foray into cowgirl hooker fashion. Given her new taste in clothing, and her tendency towards drinking like a fish, I think I've found the perfect gift for the fallen star: the Booze Belt.

Not only is this device highly practical, it adds a fun Western flare to any wardrobe choice. I think it'd look especially nice with a pair of Wranglers and some kitschy cowboy boots. Plus, on the rare occasion you're not drinking, I'm sure you could put guns in there, which is handy.

Unfortunately, alcohol is not included, but the belt does come with all the shot glasses you'll need. So grab some tequila, hit the range, and get your drink on!

Special bonus: the belt seems to be held together not by a buckle, but by a cheap plastic clasp -- awesome!

I know I'm supposed to list five trends in keeping with my theme this week of Spring trends, but this one deserves an entire post unto itself: metallic. Apparently, designers have gone the way of Midas and everything they touch turns to gold. Or silver. Or bronze. Shiny shiny is the look of the season, and we're looking at how you can add it to your wardrobe in little -- or big -- ways (but we can't guarantee that it won't break the bank).

Handbags - My favorite place to see metallic this spring is the handbag, and we're not just talking about the hardware and adornments. Kooba's Mini Small Satchel comes in both silver (my choice) and bronze. $295 at Neiman Marcus.

If you thought that the ultra wide belt was hard to get used to these past few seasons, wait until you have to strut up and down the avenue with a serving platter strapped to your abdomen.

Ok, so I exaggerate a a little. The belts that were featured as part of Topshop's runway show at London Fashion Week are not quite serving platters, but of course, on those rail-thin runway models, they still looked as big as dinner plates! As ridiculous as they look, I'm even more concerned about how comfortable these things would be if you sit down. If that model in the picture were to take a seat, it seems like the top of the disc would cut right into her diaphragm. Ouch.

Hellooo hotness. The Ivy Sterling Silver Skull and Sword Buckle just screams "filthy-rich rocker." Of course, the price tag of $850 screams it even more.

The buckle is hand made, featuring sterling silver skull with Swarovski crystals on the crown, and swords. The entire buckle, along with a stardust-like stone frame kicks back on a brown crocodile skin background. The belt itself has crocodile "patches" that are fastened on with studs, and the loop also has a sword. I think this is a belt made for a man, but since it's adjustable, I'd totally rock it with a pair of jeans and dark brown knee-high boots. That is, if ever I won the lottery.

The Ivy Sterling Silver Skull and Sword Belt is available online at J Ransom.

As the buyer for a clothing boutique, it is tempting to snatch up every tunic dress, skinny pant, opaque stocking, and ballet flat I've seen at market this season. However, I have learned that less is more when it comes to super-trendy clothing.

The fashion industry does not always seem to be in touch with real life wearability, and never does this seem more true than with the semi-annual change of fabrics, colors, and proportions the fashion media demands. The long, boho-style skirt we just learned how to wear and accessorize will, of course, be banned for the spring, instead replaced with monochromatic fabrics and sleek silhouettes.

"Fashions change biannually" writes Alexandra Shulman in London's Telegraph, "but most individuals' tastes do not, despite wanting to buy something new. It often takes a few years for a trend to be accepted...Stores that slavishly buy only the newest looks generally appeal to a tiny – albeit high-spending – clientele".

My customers continually remind me that there is nothing more frustrating than feeling as if you have to completely overhaul your wardrobe every 6 months. It can be quite embarrassing, as an owner, to lavish praise upon a hip-hugging, draping belt, and then have to explain what happened when the customer comes in and wants to know why all she sees now are thin, high-waisted belts.

So, as usual, the moral is to wear what you like. Find classic pieces that fit your personality and body style, and accessorize as you see fit with trendy items. That way you'll be guaranteed to have fun with the new styles but ultimately always have something polished to wear.