what kind of belt

[Celtic Lady]

I was wondering what kind of belt does one wear with a middle class (or higher) dress?  My wedding dress fits this catagory and after the wedding I plan on wearing it to faire at different times. I had a very nice red fox pouch made for it and would like to know what kind of belt to use. Also, would a mug or some other drinking vessel be appropriate with the dress? Normally I wear a black leather belt with my wench garb (skirts, bodice, and chemise). On it I carry my mug and strap, skirt hikes, dagger, and a couple of pouches. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Hopefully I'll have a couple of pics of the dress.

[sealion]

Without pics of the dress I can only offer generalizations. For a middle or merchant class dress I would wear a narrow leather belt with one small pouch and maybe some keys and keep the mug and other paraphenalia in a basket. (When I *really* don't feel like using a basket I'll have the mug or goblet at the small of my back so it isn't seen from the front.) A very wealthy merchant's wife or lesser nobility might wear a beaded girdle belt that would not include pouches or mugs.

[Celtic Lady]

The dress is similar to this http://www.crimsongypsy.com/gallery5-1.htm# .

[Khaalis]

You could get away with a standard ring belt if you have a lot of things you need to carry. However, the higher class you wish to appear, the less you will wear generally. Most Ladies of court I have seen either wear no pouches/purses or wear a decorative purse of a complimentary or matching cloth to their gown that ies around the waist (via a cord).

[Lady Rebecca]

What is the best way to carry stuff if you're upper middle class/noble? I know the garb I usually wear is middle class, and I carry a matching drawstring bag, but I've been thinking of making some noble garb. I also have been wondering if I should be getting a belt. But now it seems like I don't need one?

[Tygrkat]

I have a small pouch that I tie around my waist with a heavy ribbon (that hides under my bodice) and then I carry a basket with a length of fabric in it to cover the contents...I've seen quite a few Ladies do the same 

[Casche]

For my nobles, I normally wear a belt at my waist, under my bodice, that I attach pouch, mug, fan, etc, to.  I hate carrying anything, I would most likely leave a basket laying around somewhere, so everything is worn somewhere on my body!  I've even safety pinned my pouch and fan to my skirt itself, which works great and nothing slides around.

[sapphireandsage]

I have been making beaded belts for eight years (I recently hit the 600 mark and thought, "Wow! That's a lot of belts!"), and I don't recommend that much more than a fan be hung from them.  My own belts can, with normal use, easily take the weight of a fan and maybe also light-weight cup....but I can't personally attest to the quality in workmanship and sturdiness of materials of someone else's work, so I just tell people who ask that, as a general rule, you want to keep a fancier belt safe by hanging your belongings from hooks and keyrings that are sewn discreetly to the underside of bodices. 

[dreamfarie]

There is also a ring and trim belt that I saw here http://www.pillagedvillage.com/~pillaged/cgi-bin/cart.cgi/LL_Decorated.html

This would be easy to make as well.