Clockwise from top left: Club Monaco – $29.00, Brooks Brothers – $148.50 w/FNFBB6
Brooks Brothers – $51.00 w/FNFBB6, Tucker Blair – $55 (yes, that’s an elephant holding a martini)
Top Photo: Lands’ End – $19.99
Anybody want to take a stab at why a bunch of small accessories and belts from various brands are starting to look like Grandma’s preferred medium for decor?
Pretty sure more than a few of us don’t quite “get” this one. Has ultra-prep developed into nerd chic which has since mutated into Grammy/Auntie/Mama/Mammy– Mod?
And. Would you? In a tiny dose? Leave it all in the comments.
Girlfriend made me a needlepoint belt with my monogram, the Porsche Stuttgart shield, and a red 930 on it. I wear it constantly because she spent so much time making it. And I have a UGA key-fob on my house keys just because I enjoy bragging about my southern roots/my parent’s alma mater. That said, I’ve seen it WAY over done
I think it has to do with girls who knit and want to try something else. Also I think a lot of pieces are nostalgic of the video games of my youth. Would I wear it? If a girl made me a belt with scenes from Duck Hunt and Contra – Yes.
On an accessory like a business card case? Yeah, I think so. Just to have something a little whimsical
No, I would not wear it. They look ridiculous.
You’re not demanding enough. My belt would have to be the map from The Legend of Zelda, laid out horizontally. Nothing less would do. And I want complete detail. If she couldn’t deliver, I’d definitely break up with her (assuming I was already dating her, but if I wasn’t, I’d pre-break up with her).
I’m just gonna go ahead and blame Macklemore for this one.
You must be single.
This is most certainly common here in the South and I quite like it.
Never.
Is this better than the leather beaded belt I wore when I was younger? Yes, definitely.
Would I go out of my way to wear one of those? Not likely. I’ll stick my cotton surcingle belts – just enough color to stand out, but they don’t become a conversation piece.
A keyring fob or a flask cover? I wouldn’t go out of my way to hunt one down but I wouldn’t necessarily pitch it in the trash if it showed up under my Christmas tree either. But a belt or a pair of slippers? No thanks, I’ll pass.
Most of this needlepoint makes me physically ill. However, on vacation that belt with the right pants…
Looks like fashion by Atari from here…
Maybe not those items, per se, but yes, I find it to be quite dapper, as long as it’s done tastefully.
Though they’re not terrifically common, needlepoint belts are nothing new; they’ve been a preppy staple forever. With the right outfit, I think they look great, and I like that they’re having “a moment.” Most of the other accessories are also good, IMO. However, that flask is just plain silly. Maybe I take my drinking too seriously.
Small doses….
Highly unlikely.
Well, it automatically screams casual, so it’s hard to imagine anything like this not sticking out like a sore thumb in a professional environment. But even in a casual environment, there’s a real danger of this leaning towards a combination of artsy-craftsy, young (in an immature way), and tacky. There are other ways to add a little flare of creativity and still look like an adult. Gun to my head, the one thing I’d pick from above is the belt. Pair it with some madras plaid shorts so it blends in, and then wear an untucked OCBD to cover it up for the most part.
Also, I’m pretty sure the flask above is about as polar opposite as you can get from the copper one from the elimination challenge last week!
but the moment you get it…
None of those are 99 cents.
I someone I love made it, I’d save it and might wear it a time or two. I wouldn’t buy or wear it otherwise.
I have needlepoint pieces framed and hanging at home. As a craft it’s pretty cool, and I like the “feel” and the colorfulness. I’m really not sure about wearables/accessories in general though. Like Marshall says below, the artsy-craftsy vibe is high and tacky potential strong.
If someone significant made me a (pick your archetypal metal band- Slayer, Maiden, Venom, Bathory, whatever) patch I wouldn’t be able to sew it onto something fast enough, though…
Ha! I would LOVE a needlepoint patch that reads “Hellbent for Leather” to sew on the arm of my jean jacket.
I agree with Serge’s comment, needlepoint is big within Southern fraternity culture. I own and wear several Smathers and Branson items and even had a custom belt created for our wedding in August. I believe it takes a great deal of craftsmanship to produce a nice needlepoint item and when worn tastefully, can convey a little bit of personality about the person wearing it.
My flask should not need its own accessories, unless you count a funnel.
“haters hate, playas play”