When it comes to clothing styles from the past, it's hard for me to choose a favorite decade. I love 50s and 60s silhouettes and the counterculture styles of the 80s. (Sorry, 70s. I just can't with the bell-bottoms and earth tones!)
One of my favorite accessory types is waist cinch belts from the 40s and 50s. Before I started making them myself, I found that it was easy to find many different styles of elastic waist belts on eBay or Amazon, but most were available in only one size. I personally prefer waist belts to be just small enough to stay put on my waist but not so small that they constrict, so I found it difficult to find a comfortable belt.
In 2023 I started searching for vintage style belt buckles and the wide elastic to fit those buckles. I wanted to make my own version of the simple vintage style belts as well as come up with more unique belt styles that would be available in many sizes from XS to 4XL. Below is a list of all my currently available belt styles:
Striped Elastic Belt, on sale for $16: This belt has a flat buckle and 3 inch wide black and white striped elastic. This is a limited edition belt and it will not be restocked once I run out of the elastic.
Black Elastic Waist Belt with Silver Buckle, $16: This belt has the 3 circle interlocking buckle that was on 40s and 50s nurse belts. Instead of plain flat elastic, I paired it with 3 inch wide elastic that has a wavy 3d texture. This belt is also limited edition as my supplier is out of this specific belt buckle.
1.5" Wide Belt ($18) and Black Mesh Belt Skirt ($38): This belt buckle might be my favorite of them all. It's small (1.5 inch wide) but it's very sturdy and has a good weight to it. I paired it with simple soft black elastic to make a belt that goes with everything. I was disappointed when my supplier doubled the price on the buckle earlier this year but decided it was worth it to restock. When it starts getting warmer in 2025 I plan to make more belt skirts since they work great as swim cover-ups or festival wear.
Faux Leather Grommet Lace-Up Belt, $28: This is one of my newest belt styles. I've had this thick faux leather double grommet trimming for ages but I didn't know what to do with it. Then I realized it was the perfect width for the 1.5 inch belt buckle. It doesn't stretch, so I made it lace up in back with stretchy elastic lacing that can be adjusted for the perfect fit.
Retro 1.5" Belt, $16: Another new style! this belt is made with a mini version of the vintage nurse belt buckle. It's 1.5 inches wide and uses the same soft black elastic as the first 1.5 inch belt I made.
Two more lace-up belt styles: Grommet Lace-Up Belt ($32) and D-Ring Lace-Up Belt ($29). Once I run out of this belt buckle I will switch to using my other belt buckle, the flat 3" buckle used for the striped belt. When I do that I'll make sure to update the photos so it shows the current product.
That's all for now. I added more photos below of different outfit ideas for the belts, in case anybody else wants to dress like a gothic 50s housewife!
Other items shown above:
Black Mesh Sleeveless Mini Dress, $56
Black Lace Crop Top, $34
Black Velvet Skater Skirt, $44
Black Nylon Spandex Chaps, $56
Custom Burnout Velvet Dresses
If you want to learn more about vintage belts, I recommend this site:
A History of Belts 1920-1960 for Women (Vintage Dancer)