Needlepoint is a longstanding preppy pastime and very much a part of the traditional Ivy League look. The handmade character of needlepoint has provided a means of self-expression for generations of preppies. For gentlemen, the needlepoint belt is often one of the most beloved items in their wardrobes. It is sentimental and nostalgic. It celebrates interests and hobbies. And best of all, it may be a one-of-a kind creation.
Ivy Style has chronicled the iconic needlepoint belt and its vaulted place of honor. Back in 2018, Ivy Style contributor BC shared a love letter to his needlepoint belt titled She’s Kept My Pants Up For 36 Years.
The article describes how “back in the day, preppy girlfriends would make needlepoint belts for their beaux.” BC writes:
When we met in the fall of 1981, M. had left Georgetown, where she had been studying nursing, and was working as a salesperson at Brooks Brothers at 19th and L Street in Washington, DC.
She had five siblings. Her father graduated from Yale, as did all three of her brothers.
This old belt is a treasured memento. It still fits and I wear it occasionally. It’s held up after all these years, with some patina. We both enjoyed sailing. She spelled my name in nautical flags.
I don’t know how or why M. learned to needlepoint. It was something that nice girls once learned to do, I suppose.
The Official Preppy Handbook (1980)
The Official Preppy Handbook (1980) has several references to needlepoint in general, and needlepoint belts in particular. I especially like how this passage mentions the needlepoint belt alongside other very important things like cars, boats, and mothers:
The charmed life of the Preppy leads to a disproportionate use of superlatives, expressing a seeming limitless enthusiasm.
For girls, especially, “cute” is the supreme accolade.
Anything can be cute: a boat, a boy, a set of directions to Westport, a campus, a politician (George Bush).
Boys show a marked preference for “great” as in, “Hey, you’ve got a really great car/boat/mother/ needlepoint belt/beer can display!”
Recently Fish Creek launched their new Belt Studio, an online tool which allows users to design their custom needlepoint belts.
Here are the steps:
Step 1
Belt size – Add 3 inches to pant size.
Step 2
Custom background color – Pick any thread color for your belt background.
Step 3
Select icons – Options include:
Letters & Signal Flags
Boats & Transom Text
Dogs & Pets
Hunting & Fishing
Coastal & Nautical
Food & Drinks
Flags & States
Sports
I love my sailing belt, so I decided to use the Belt Studio to design two new belts.
Collegiate Belt
Since I work in higher education, it seemed entirely fitting that I should have a belt to honor my educational journey. This best features the shields of the following academic institutions:
Trinity College – Where I earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies.
These shields are in various shades of dark blue (Trinity, Oxford, Yale, and Salve) and red (Fairfield red and Harvard crimson). I decided that these shields would look best on a light blue background, reminiscent of the blue sky on a Commencement Day in May. I love the way these collegiate shields look together and can’t wait to see how this belt looks in needlepoint.
Dog Belt
The design for this belt features images of my two beloved girls, Bella and Gigi. I uploaded their photos in the Belt Studio and added a couple of graphics for fun, a yellow sun and a pink paw. The two puppies and the soft pastel colors of the graphics look great on a navy blue background. In the true spirit of The Official Preppy Handbook, my wife says that this belt is very “cute” and I think it will look “great” in needlepoint.
Once I completed my designs in the Belt Studio, I submitted my order to Fish Creek. I received this reply:
Thank you, Matthew! Your belt is in good hands.
Here’s what happens next:
Within 72 hours, our designers email you a digital proof of your design from support@fishcreekbrands.com.
Request any edits you like. They’re free, and nothing is stitched until you approve.
Once approved, your belt is hand-stitched and ships in about 12 weeks.
Needlepoint belts make great gifts. I am already thinking about Christmas and who among my family and friends might appreciate a custom-designed needlepoint belt. I have some ideas about that, but for now I will keep that between me and Santa.
Of course, since it takes approximately 12 weeks to produce a hand-stitched belt, these gifts won’t be wrapped under the tree. However, I can certainly print out images of the designs and include them in Christmas cards with the message “something special is coming your way.”
After all, what could be more special than a customized gift like a needlepoint belt?
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