One of the most iconic attires is the one from american cowboys. Popularized and exaggerated over and over again by the powerful cinematographic industry, Far West cowboys clothing has become part of a popular archetypal with a serie of indispensable articles. We could consider three basic elements: western hat, the item of clothing that virtually defines a cowboy; the cowboy boots, required to ride and ressist the tough conditions of Far West; and the classic jeans, indispensable element worn together with leather chaps.
There are many other elements that are part of cowboy’s image: bandanas, gloves, spurs, guns… But there is another accessory that in the Western movies was usually unseen, but, certainly very important: the cowboy belts.
In fact, despite they had not much relevance in the classic movies from Hollywood’s golden age, those leather belts with big buckles have standed out in cowboy’s image.
A bit of history about cowboy belts
Western belts haven’t always been bounded to cowboy’s image. In fact, to be honest, first cowboy’s look had little to do with the idealized image that the cinema gave us. During the major part of 19th Century, cowboy’s attire was basically something functional. Due that no mass clothing production systems existed, second hand clothing was usually worn for working, to grab the pants, they just used regular suspenders.
During the American Civil War, between 1861 and 1865, soldiers from both sides started wearing belts with friction buckles. Brass buckles where you pull back the belt and kept it firm. As the war prolonged, their production was increased and some cowboys started to wear those belts. But they weren’t yet the classic western belts we all imagine.
In reality, it was more a marketing question. At beginnings of 20th Century Hollywood started to produce the first Western movies, so the creation of a unique image was necesary to identify this character. Cinema producers developed the image of cowboys as we nowadays know and that, with the time, has idealized. They needed an image with unique elements and the look of a worker with distressed clothing and suspenders didn’t look good for the camera.
In the beginning, in the first movies, cowboys hold they pants with buckles of regular size but during 50’s decade, the belts started to be more rude with bigger buckles: the genuine western belts had born.
The curious thing is that, despite how uncomfortable might be to wear those big buckles when working, cowboys started copying that idealized image that Hollywood gave from themselves and, short time later, the idea became reality. (In a future article will explain you more about he buckles).
The best western belts for sale at Corbeto’s Boots
Deffinitively, the western belts are now indissoluble part of cowboy’s image. It is impossible to figure out the cowboy “uniform” without its pertinent leather belt. By other side, as we told you short time ago, the western look is revealing as one of the most powerful fashion trends for the next autumn/winter. Specially focused on the little details. Of course, one of the most combinable details are the western belts.
So if you are looking for authentic cowboy belts, you have found the right place. At Corbeto’s Boots, we not only sell boots, we also offer the best belts for men and women made with genuine cow leather and skane skin, all with removable buckle, attractive designs of hand tooled leather, horse hair, metal conchos , rhinestones or decorative turquoise stones.
As with the rest of our catalog, in our cowboy belts section will only find the best brands:
- Sendra: we have already talked about this spanish brand that stands out for the excellence and quality of their boots. Their line of leather belts, that includes styles made with genuine snake skin, keeps the same exceptional quality and, we even have styles specially designed to match with boots from the same brand.
- Mayura: the quality of their cowboy boots continues in the brand new western and biker belts collection that the andalusian company just presented. Their highlights are the use of genuine snake skin with elaborated designs for an affordable price.
- Nocona Belts: this is the division in charge of producing western belts for one of the most important Texan bootmakers brands, Nocona Boots. A great assorment of different styles for men and women from the simpliest to the most elaborated ones, including the mythical Ranger’s belts with matching metal buckle, belt loop and tip. All of them with a great value for money.
- Ariat Belt: another important american bootmaker that also produces its western belts. They stand out for their toughness and genuine western designs.
- Stars & Stripes: Handcrafted in Mexico, the belts from this prestigious western fashion brand are durable, inexpensive and have a very good finishing.
Finally, it’s worth to say that we also sell plain leather belts without buckle. They are made in Spain with a great quality and value for money. These unisex belts made with genuine cow leather are available in diverse colors and feature snaps rivets so you can easily change your preferred buckle.
And if what you need are belt buckles, at Corbeto’s will also find more than you can imagine: biker buckles, western buckles, rockabilly buckles, with rhinestones… Take a look at our belt buckle section!!! We will soon explain you more about this mythical part of the cowboy attire.
Sendra Boots black cow leather belt with cow head buckle
Nocona unisex cognac embossed leather belt
I have read almost every blog and watched every video on YouTube regarding belts. Your blog has given me a little more knowledge about your making and design of different wester belts. Thank you for sharing. And your website is the only one with a section of HELP AND TIPS. That’s amazing.