Why do people wear belts?
A belt is a necessity in today’s modern world. While many people possess pants, trousers, and bottoms that fit them perfectly without a belt, their outfit doesn’t look complete without a supporting belt.
For those whose body shape makes it difficult to obtain perfect-fitting clothes, a belt might be required to help them prevent an embarrassing incident.
As fashion has evolved, the belt while retaining its role as a support act, has developed into a star in its own right. Like Paisley shirts, Paisley ties, and all of the different types of Paisley jewellery out there, a Paisley belt, worn with the right outfit, might see its name further down the billing, but everyone knows its little cameo could win the main award.
We have all worn a belt at some time. Show me a person who says they never wear a belt and I’ll show you a person who says they never wear a belt (lyingly).
No doubt belt history will tell you it was the Romans who popularised wearing a belt. It’s always the Romans, isn’t it? Of course, in the whole previous history of mankind, not one human – not one - thought about tying a piece of rope, or string, or dried reed and tying it around their torso to secure a knife-like flint weapon to their body as they swung through the trees, swam down a river or raced through the undergrowth.
No, they would always hold them in their hand or mouth – thereby establishing the roots of modern dentistry (yes, that was deliberate). Mouths bloodied and widened, not one of them would fathom out that it might be possible to strap them to their body – until the clever Romans came along. And of course, not using belts to strap items to their body, would mean they would not be thinking about personalising them – making them more beautiful to impress a potential future partner. No, of course, it would be the Romans who would think of that.
I am just waiting for it to be claimed that the Romans started Tesla. I have nothing against them – I am sure they were responsible for lots of what we take for granted today – TV, air fryers, nuclear power, etc., but they seem to get the credit for everything. I am no scholar of Roman history – and I am sure Caligula was a nice guy – but perhaps we should give a little more credit to the people who came long before. Surely, they came up with something – the belt, the toothbrush, the toothpick, the horse halter.
What do we know about the Paisley belt?
Let’s not get too hung up on the history of the belt – except, of course, for the history of the Paisley belt. My extensive research has found nothing on the Paisley belt’s history, so if you need to find the definitive account of it – you are on your own. Please feel free to drop me a line if you find anything – I’ll update the article and give you the credit for your finding.
Meanwhile, I can only speculate. I suspect the Paisley belt goes much further back than most would imagine. While Paisley, Scotland became the main producer of Paisley Pattern products in the nineteenth century and thereby gave the pattern its name, Paisley belts likely predated this period by at least a couple of centuries.
The unique teardrop-shaped pattern is thought to have originated in Persia (now Iran). It was then exported to Kashmir before the East India Company started exporting it to Great Britain in the nineteenth century.
With Persian royalty and elites wearing expensive and detailed Paisley pattern robes, dresses, and accessories, including Kamar band belts (from which we now have the English cummerbund), it is almost certain the belts also featured the Paisley design.
The Paisley design, once it came to the fore, was never going to go away – and never will go away. Its uses have become more practical over time, particularly when holding up pants, but its adornment aspect remains as vital as it did in ancient Persian times.
Fashion being fashion, even with the limited opportunities associated with a strip of material, the belt has evolved considerably since ancient Persian times. But, let’s face it – it is a belt! It can only change its width, length, material, buckle, number of holes, colour, and pattern. Come to think of it – that is quite a lot!
Given the possibilities, it has taken advantage of these - not to the extent that we have seen 5-foot wide belts, 20-foot-long belts, belts with 37 holes, or indeed belts with 4 buckles. Maybe this shows we are not as far along in our belt journey as we thought.
Unlike some of its more versatile relatives, the belt has only a couple of other uses, apart from its key uses of adornment and support.
What else can we use a belt for?
Tourniquet or sling
To stem gushing blood, the belt simply needs to be moved up a notch or two. Depending on the limb being staunched, the belt might need some new holes drilled in it. After its use in an emergency, the newly drilled holes might diminish the belt's appearance, as might the blood stains ingrained into it.
This potential wasting of the belt means that if you find yourself in an emergency, you might need to make a big decision. (You don’t! You sacrifice the belt, you moron! It is only a belt!)
Lifesaver
No, we don't mean fashion lifesaver! A belt can be extended to someone struggling in the water and at risk of drowning. If used for this purpose, remember to tell the person you are attempting to save that they should not be trying to tie the belt. Their job is solely to hold on to it, and your job, as far as your strength allows, is to pull them to safety.
Key point: If you are not strong, then there is every likelihood that you, the person you are attempting to save, and your Paisley belt will disappear into the raging torrent, that is the water. What a waste of a Paisley belt!
One final point about protecting your Paisley belt. When wearing a shirt or blouse that is not tucked in, you are effectively silencing your belt. That is your choice, of course, but if it was me, I would consider tying an old bin bag around your waist and saving your Paisley belt for another day.