Belts

I think we take things for granted everyday - not just the basic utility or usefullness in our lives, but the very evolution or existence of certain items in their current form. Next time you're at a clothing store, take a step back and really look at things around you - and when you find yourself in front of belts, take a hard look at the different styles, widths, fabrics, buckles and assorted acoutremantes accompanying them. Belts aren't just belts - they are fashion statements for the positive and sometimes the negative as well as an important decision making process in clothing yourself on a regular basis. Do I really wear my giant Superman buckle to that presentation today? How many rhinestones are "too many" (the answer is = one. One is too many. Zero is perfect)? Why don't they make more pink belts for men?

I have no doubt that the need for people to keep their pants on became quickly apparent - if for no other reason than it makes it more difficult to run with your pants around your ankles (just ask doodi). But the way in which to keep them up sure didn't happen overnight. It makes me wonder what our daily lives could look like should a different path been taken. Maybe Mr Belt, the inventor of the device, had good marketing - but what if society chose bows to hold up pants instead? Or, more attainable to us that remember Mork, suspenders? Safety pins, velcro, large helium balloons, kittens? While we take belts for granted, it could've gone any direction...

My main point is: function is function, but there's still a reason behind it and I don't know that we consider the reasons and history behind things often enough for full appreciation. I'm glad we have belts.

Do you think there really is a Mr. Belt? Maybe he came up with a device to hold up pants and his cross-town rival, Mr. Maggniole-jim, both came up with pants-holding-up leather strips but Mr. Belt's sold so well that his last name became synonymous with the device itself and now he's like Kleenex to the belt world.

For those curious about the real history of the humble belt, check out the wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_(clothing)