Though certain accessories are just as much of a cult buy as their arm-candy counterparts, it’s natural to assume that purses are on the table when the subject of designer accessories comes up the Traditional Designer. I’m focusing on designer belts today, as my headline may have suggested.
Lorna dresses up her pant and shirt ensemble with a Celine Triomphe belt.
Belts with designer labels have always been popular. Despite the fact that it could seem like a relatively new trend, Gucci’s GG belt dates back to the early 1970s. The allure of these belts is their unquestionable traditional appeal combined with a current trendiness. We could argue about how affordable they are all day, but I think we can all agree that designer belts are less expensive than designer shoes and bags in general.
Hannah pairs a basic t-shirt, pants, loafers, and a checkered blazer with her Celine Triomphe belt.
The Traditional Designer
Despite having its roots in fashion history, I contend that the urge to buy a designer belt has reached an all-time high in 2024. Additionally, I’ve noticed that one particular style seems to be becoming more and more well-liked in style circles. Celine’s Triomphe belt has suddenly gained a lot of attention in the fashion world and is always following me on social media, which I don’t mind at all. My feed is definitely becoming more stylish as a result.
Prisca accessorizes her oversized suiting with a Celine Triomphe belt.
The belt was unveiled in 2019 alongside the remainder of Hedi Slimane’s first collection for the brand, which coincided with the reissue of Celine’s Triomphe bag. What about the history of the Triomphe? It’s really endearing. The founder of the company, Céline Vipiana, had her car break down in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in 1972. She was inspired, when stranded, by the intricate chain detailing of the famous monument, the contour of which forms the central portion of the Triomphe clasp. The founder of Celine instantly selected it as a house insignia, flanked by two Cs.
Lorna wears a camel knit sweater and black pants with her Celine Triomphe belt.
Prisca wears a black woolen coat over her Celine Triomphe belt.
The Celine Triomphe belt is a subtle yet effective approach to lend your outfit designer status. It is sufficiently adaptable without being overtly noticeable. In addition to the small dose of style advice I’ve sprinkled throughout, I’ve done the legwork for you by compiling the chicest Celine Triomphe belts into one convenient location. Scroll down to view them if you’d want to possess a piece of fashion history that you can keep with you forever.
Although designer belts have become much more commonplace recently, the legendary Gucci belt’s appeal dates back to the 1970s. The capacity of designer belts to balance fashion and tradition is one of its main advantages. And how well they can dress up an ensemble? superior to none. In the YouTube video I’ve included below, I compare four designer belts from my collection. While I don’t think belts are particularly good value for money, there is a case to be made for their general affordability compared to designer handbags and shoes. These are my main reasons for not being a big fan of belts.
I can declare with confidence that I’ve found belt peace with my collection now that I have the Celine belt in it. The belt comes in two width options: 2.5 cm and 1.8 cm. Since I went with the thicker version, which is 2.5 cm wide, it achieves the ideal middle ground between being too thick and too thin. The width of the other belts I possess is 3 cm, so even with this slight reduction in breadth, I can still see it.
The Medium Triomphe Belts in Tan or Black were the winners in the end. I have mostly black and chocolate brown belts in my collection, and I really wanted to adore the tan to give some diversity. In the end, I decided that the tan was too warm and that the adaptability of black was too much to pass up. (I made my choice after just four trips to the boutique!) I chose size 75 since it has enough holes to belt my jackets and tighten in my dresses in addition to fitting my high-waisted denim.
The logo design for Celine Triomphe
Following the reissue of the Triomphe Bag when Hedi Slimane debuted his debut collection with the company in 2019, Celine introduced the Triomphe Belt. When Celine Vipiana’s car broke down in front of the Arc de Triomphe in the 1970s, she came up with the concept for the Triomphe emblem. Celine was inspired by the elaborate chain decoration of the Arc de Triomphe, which serves as the focal point of the Triomphe clasp, and she merged the two Cs on either side to create the house insignia in a story that has a lot of meet-cute feelings.
Remarks regarding deterioration following six months
After wearing this belt virtually every day for almost six months, I feel confident enough to share my opinions about how well it has held up against wear and tear. Let’s start by discussing the leather, which has a shining finish—not quite patent, but definitely not matte—at least on the black edition. Moreover, it has a thicker leather component than the more conventional, flatter calfskin belts I own. The leather has held up really well in terms of durability.
The fact that there are no scuffs or blemishes to indicate wear is impressive. However, the hardware tells a different tale. There are a few little scuffs and scrapes on the buckle, and upon closer inspection, the gold finish is shinier than the brushed vintage appearance. As I mentioned in my YouTube video linked above, I actually noticed these after wearing the belt for a few times. However, some of you suggested using a jeweler’s cloth to smooth these out, so I haven’t tried it yet but it’s on my to-do list.
Since this is the most expensive belt I own, I was first a little let down by it, but to be honest, I’m not as upset about it anymore. You can see how exposed the hardware can be because of how easily fingerprints can be left on the buckle due to the nicer surface of the hardware. However, I use the towel that comes with my glasses, and that’s sufficient to occasionally give it a little TLC.
The verdict
Even with the peculiarities in the hardware, this belt has proven to be one of my better purchases. Unquestionably, the Triomphe logo’s timeless elegance makes the belt instantly recognizable, but the black belt’s understated style also shows that it is adaptable. I always wear it since it’s the ideal way to dress up even the most basic ensembles. Indeed, belts possess that enchanted ability!
Even while I don’t think it’s a good value for the money, if you’re interested in this belt, I doubt that’s your primary concern. It really depends on how devoted you are to the brand and whether you can envision the belt working with your current wardrobe—which, of course, it will!—because it’s such an apparent splurge purchase.
