Belt

We use a belt to secure a fluffy dress, coat, voluminous blouse or shirt at the waist and hips. It is believed that this element of clothing makes the silhouette more elegant and the image complete. The belt is not a mandatory accessory, but people have been wearing it for centuries, and among many peoples of the world it is considered an obligatory element of the national costume. But why is this seemingly insignificant subject given so much attention?

@tati.tata.74

Story

From time immemorial, the belt was considered a kind of amulet, a protector from otherworldly forces and evil spirits. Moreover, it had purely practical significance. For example, travelers tied bags of money to it, some little things they needed along the way, and a knife to protect them from robbers.

In Rus', the belt was different: thin, which was called a harness, or wide and long, popularly called a sash. The belt is another variety, the characteristic feature of which was a noticeable, attention-grabbing buckle.

Our ancestors believed that a belt was not just a convenient item. Walking the streets without it was considered sinful.We all remember the expression “unbelted,” that is, insolent, which came to us from the times when this element of attire was mandatory.

@etnos.s

In those distant times, women always belted their undershirts. This rule was mandatory, even if it was a newborn girl who was tied with a so-called “harness.”

The belt is an element of the folk costume of many nationalities. It was made in different ways. The most famous:

1. Weaving. In ancient times, this method was exclusively manual. There are the following varieties: on a fork, on a knitting needle or on a needle, on a special block (it was also called a doll). The weaving could be square, round, twisted.
2. Weaving is a process that involves two threads: weft and longitudinal. Before the invention of the machine, women weaved only by hand.
3. Knitting. For this method, knitting needles or a hook were used, as well as yarn - thick threads obtained in a special way.
4. Embroidery. In the old days, the “tying-on” technique was popular, when embroidery was done with colored threads on a plain fabric. The drawing was divided into separate parts.
5. Sewing. For this method, various fabrics were used: cotton, linen, wool, brocade, satin.

In addition, in the old days, people made belts from leather and metal, decorating them with precious stones.

@fashion_shopvivi

Peculiarities

In modern clothing, a belt is used only in cases where it complements a similar style item of clothing. Most often it is sewn from the same material, and therefore it is impossible to use it when creating any other images.

Nowadays, the belt, which was so valued in ancient times, has almost completely faded into the background; it has been replaced by the belt that is popular today.

A modern belt, like hundreds of years ago, can be either very narrow or very wide. Often it is a beautiful lace that favorably emphasizes the waistline.

Today this item performs only one function - decorative. We have not used it for a long time as protection from the evil eye or as a means of storing small items. However, it can still perfectly transform almost any dress.