Tighten One’s Belt
Mmmm . . . bring out roasted potatoes and pie (or not). The origin of this belt-related fashion idiom has a lot to do with food and the lack of it during the Great Depression. Scarfing up (we’ll get to that one later) food meant having a good meal “under their belt.” Hungrier—and therefore thinner—people were “tightening their belts,” on a mission to change the situation in their favor. Good times, bad times or any time in between, we can’t wait to wrap these around our waists:
Oh, gentlest of soles,
What elevates your beauty with grand detail?
Why, ‘tis the heel no doubt . . .
And always loveliest during a midnight sale.
OK, I totally made that up. But truth is, this may be from Shakespearean origin. The idea of scarfing something up (be it a shoe sale or a turkey platter) comes from Macbeth: “Come, seeling night, scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day . . . ” Seems that “scarf up” meant to quickly cover up something until it was out of sight (or memory) and gone for good. Hmmm. Kind of like how us fashionistas have a knack for emptying department store shelves. Check out these irresistible scarves:
Okay, ladies, any other interesting phrases and fashion idioms that knock your socks off?