History Main / TooManyBelts

* Parodied in [[http://www.adventurers-comic.com/d/20020228.html this]] ''Webcomic/{{Adventurers}}'' strip.

* [[ChivalrousPervert Cross Marian]] of ''Manga/DGrayMan''. Have you seen that man's [[http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/silverfang2/29185537/600903/600903_original.png pants ]]?

* ComicBook/GhostRider2099's outfith under his leather jacket was a criss-cross [[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/ghostrider20997.jpg of belts]].

* Inspired by the Stephanie Brown example above, the new Batsuit worn by [[spoiler: Melanie Walker]] as Batgirl in the final two chapters of the Batman Beyond fic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10676847/16/BATMAN-BEYOND-The-Second-Rebirth "The Second Rebirth"]]'' incorporates a leg-mounted utility belt. Its purpose is mentioned during the [=Chp25=] fight against the Royal Flush Gang.

* In the mid 70s a reader of ''Magazine/TVGuide'' noticed that a cover illustration [[https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/6f/3f/ce/6f3fcee52ea4488a407b03dd22ca912e.jpg]] of Buddy Ebsen as ''Series/BarnabyJones'' had the detective (one would think mistakenly) drawn with both a belt and suspenders. As they wrote in a letter to the editor pointing out the error - 'How can I trust this man to catch a crook if he can't even trust his suspenders to keep his pants up?'

* [[Wrestling/TheGreatMuta Keiji Mutoh]] has been known to wear several belts as a suit of armor, one example of which can be found [[http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VeoGB5Zdnh0/0.jpg here.]]

** Squall, in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', deserves special notice. Because while he already had a few excess belts around the time of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', when he was the star, every subsequent game that features him seems to add more. Compare his [[http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/5/5d/Squall_Sketch.jpg first]] design, to his later re-design in ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' as [[http://kingdomhearts.wikia.com/wiki/File:Leon_%28Art%29_KH.png Leon]], and finally his ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' [[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/File:Dissidia_Squall.png update]], which goes back to his original design and ''still'' finds room to throw some more belts on. One can only wonder how many more belts he could get if they do a sequel...

* Virginia of ''VideoGame/{{Wild ARMs 3}}'' may be wearing [[http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/wildarms3/art-char-04.jpg too many belts]] for a western setting. For that matter, Clive's [[http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/wildarms3/art-char-03.jpg jacket]] pushes overkill with the belts in place nobody would ever want to buckle, and Janus seems to have that problem and also the problem of [[http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/wildarms3/art-char-05.jpg trying to use a belt in place of a holster]].

* In early seasons of ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'', Henchman 21 refused to wear his utility belt because it made him "look fat." After [[spoiler: the death of Henchman 24]], even his ''boots'' have their own utility belts.

* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanker_boot Tanker Boots]]. Good idea for tankers, bad idea for infantrymen.

* Japan's obsession with belts can be traced back to the ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi_(sash) obi]]'', which dates back centuries. The highly visible waist ribbon that is the ''obi'' proper is actually the decorative piece. The actual parts that hold a kimono together is the ''datejime'', one or more belts worn under the obi (since they're not seen, even a Western-style belt can be used for this). Since ''kimono'' are worn in layers, and you need at least one ''datejime'' per layer, you're probably wearing multiple unseen belts. Then there's the ''obiage'', a little belt which peeks out the top of the ''obi'' and holds its bow up. Then there's the ''obijime'', an even smaller belt (sometimes nothing more than a thin cord) that helps hold the knot in place and is decorative. The ''obi'' system is a belt with belts hiding other belts.

* Lest you believe Japan's obsession with belts is a modern invention ([[OlderThanTheyThink it isn't]]), take a look at the ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi_(sash) obi]]'' which dates back centuries. The highly visible waist ribbon that is the ''obi'' proper doesn't do a whole lot for actually keeping your kimono closed; it's just very pretty. The job of actually keeping you covered belongs to the ''datejime'', one or more belts worn under the obi (since they're not seen, even a Western-style belt can be used for this). Since ''kimono'' are worn in layers, and you need at least one ''datejime'' per layer, you're probably wearing multiple unseen belts. Then there's the ''obiage'', a little belt which peeks out the top of the ''obi'' and holds its bow up. Then there's the ''obijime'', an even smaller belt (sometimes nothing more than a thin cord) that helps hold the knot in place and is decorative. The ''obi'' system is basically a belt with belts that hides other belts.

* [[SarcasmMode Famous auteur director]] Creator/TommyWiseau, director of TheRoom is known to wear more than one belt (occasionally asking fans to count them at midnight showings). In Greg Sestero's book he says that Wiseau does it because 'it feels good' and 'keeps his ass up.'

* Lest you believe Japan's obsession with belts is a modern invention ([[OlderThanTheyThink it isn't]]), take a look at the ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi_(sash) obi]]'' which dates back centuries. The highly visible GiantWaistRibbon that is the ''obi'' proper doesn't do a whole lot for actually keeping your kimono closed; it's just very pretty. The job of actually keeping you covered belongs to the ''datejime'', one or more belts worn under the obi (since they're not seen, even a Western-style belt can be used for this). Since ''kimono'' are worn in layers, and you need at least one ''datejime'' per layer, you're probably wearing multiple unseen belts. Then there's the ''obiage'', a little belt which peeks out the top of the ''obi'' and holds its bow up. Then there's the ''obijime'', an even smaller belt (sometimes nothing more than a thin cord) that helps hold the knot in place and is decorative. The ''obi'' system is basically a belt with belts that hides other belts.

* Golden Darkness from ''Manga/ToLoveRu'' has five belts wrapped around each leg (including one pair hidden by her boots), and another pair of belts wrapped around each ''foot'', that do not seem to serve any actual purpose beyond... well, [[ShesGotLegs making you stare at her legs]]. She also has a belt at each sleeve, and two more on her abdomen for good measure.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has one horrific example with [[HorsemenOfTheApocalypse Apollyon]]. The reason his entire body's covered in belts is because ''it's the only thing keeping his rotting skin attached to his body.''

* Dante from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' is has several belts on his vest and pants. The latter would ''appear'' to be a holster for his guns, but there's only the belts...
** Trish has only one belt, but it does have ''two'' buckles. "Too many buckles"?

* Wrestling/MattCardona adopted his own "belt collector" gimmick in 2022, though presumably in deference to Omega he didn't use that phrase. In May 2022, he held the NWA [[InsistentTerminology Worlds]] Championship, the Wrestling/{{Impact|Wrestling}} Digital Media Championship, his self-proclaimed "Internet Championship", and four belts from indy promotions.

* The [[ContemptibleCover cover art]] for ''[[http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fromtheabyss.jpg From The Abyss]]'' has a girl wearing three belts... but no pants.

* Anything Creator/TetsuyaNomura has worked on is likely to invoke this. His work on ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has the most belts, particularly [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX Lulu]] who has a skirt composed ''entirely'' of them as you can see in the above picture. The outer dress is lovely and creative by itself, so it didn't really need the belt-dress. In an interview, Nomura explained Lulu's design by saying that he wanted to provide "a challenge" to the character model and CG departments: namely, having to reproduce the exact layer order of every belt worn. [[AuthorAppeal Of course, there's probably more to it than that, but who can really say?]] (Or maybe he really hated someone in the CG dept). Oh, and the animators got around the problem by showing Lulu from the waist-up in most of the CG scenes, and leaving her entirely and inexplicably out of others.

-->'''Yugi''': I have a feeling today is going to be super-special-awesome. Now, if I could just find the right outfit.
-->'''Yami''': Yugi, you look like a bondage slave.
-->'''Yugi''': Perfect! Girls love bondage slaves. *''beat''* Don't they?

-->''"I'm wearing lots of belts! ...For no reason at all!"''

* Wrestling/SarahStock has set of ring gear that has five superfluous belts. Sometimes TagTeam partner [[Wrestling/TaylorWilde Shantelle Taylor]] has a set that ''requires'' five belts to keep up and has two more around her boots just for show. Taylor also has variations that use buttons and such instead of belts. Radiant Rain has the same belt gear as Taylor, but with [[EvilCounterpart skulls]] and [[ForeignWrestlingHeel USA flag designs]] woven into it.

* Hailey Hatred wore five different Japanese title belts she defended in 2011 while holding a sixth in her hands. The Japanese origin belts fell to four in 2012 but she picked up a USA belt and a joint Japan-Mexico belt in 2012, keeping the number at six.

* Wrestling/KennyOmega began a phase (in 2020-2021) where he called himself "The Belt Collector". C. March 2021 he holds four belts: The [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] World Championship, the [[Wrestling/{{AAA}} AAA]] Megacampeonato, the [[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling Impact]] World championship, and the TNA Heavyweight title. And he claims more will come.

* Jotaro Kujo wears two belts as part of his delinquent attire in ''Manga/{{JoJosBizarreAdventure}}'' The number only increases in later parts, with additional [[{{Zipperiffic}} zippers]] to boot.

* When the ''[[Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle Tsubasa]]'' gang visit [[Manga/{{Clover}} Infinity]], it seems like this is the general fashion.
* Yugi from ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' wears a multi-belted shirt during Duelist Kingdom. After that arc, he changes to a black sleeveless shirt, but he keeps the two belts around the cuffs of his jacket and the one around his neck, while adding another belt around his waist. Kaiba dons eight belts, two on each of his arms and legs, from the second season on, in addition to the normal belt on his pants.

** though that may, in fact, be meant to evoke the sense of the straitjacket without actually having him wear one.

* [[EvilIsCool Unsurprisingly]], the clothing textures in ''[[VideoGame/CityOfHeroes City of Villains]]'' included many distinct types of belts, zippers and chains at varying degrees of overkill.

* In ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'', Starkiller's starting outfit has about five belts, maybe more.

* Haseo from ''[[Franchise/DotHack .hack//GU]]'' Serves as the rare [[SubvertedTrope Subverted Trope]] on this matter. He has ''[[http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h245/DRCEQ2/Dot%20Hack/52belts.jpg Numerous]]'' belts (or rather, buckled leather straps) densely clustered across his body in his first form (his following forms however lose most of them). However, unlike many examples on this page, the design is actually a case where it's [[VindicatedByHistory Vindicated by History]] when one researches how armoring an individual has evolved; as the *ACTUAL* pattern of how the straps are distributed and layered atop and next to one-another so densely matches the pattern and placement of where actual REAL light leather armor would serve a place in existing to protect the body, even if the design is for a person that is existing inside of a video game. Likewise, they aesthetically match that of real historical leather armor made from interwoven straps for lightly-armored individuals. As this is from before Haseo Multi-classes and gets to be shown wearing heavier armor, his first form was supposed to be a lightly-armored speedy and agile fencer, and the game-world the character exists in being one where this type of interwoven-leather-strap armor would've been historically appropriate for the setting, This is one of the few cases where it's actually (relatively) [[JustifiedTrope justified]] as having a purpose in looking like this, and not just as a silly aesthetic.

* [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/raynie_7391.png Raynie]], from ''VideoGame/{{RadiantHistoria}}'' wears a belt on her left thigh, on her waist, on her left arm, one holding her boobs, one strapping a turtle-neck, and lastly... a belt tying her ponytail.

* The Dawnguard armor from the ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' DLC appears to use belt straps and buckles to secure every possible connection, and then adds a few more just for good measure.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

[[quoteright:225:[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ffxlulu.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:225:She doesn't just wear belts ''with'' her petticoat. She wears belts '''''as''''' [[PimpedOutDress her petticoat]].]]

* Similar to the DKR example above, when [[ComicBook/{{Azrael}} Jean-Paul Valley]] took over as Batman, his original [=AzBats=] uniform had an additional utility belt on his leg. He dumps it with his first costume redesign. Again, no purpose to them.

* Mizore in ''Manga/RosarioToVampire'' has a couple of garter belts which connect her waist to...nothing whatsoever.

** The non-Nomura made [[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Image:FFTA-MarcheRitz.jpg Marche Radiuju]] of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTacticsAdvance'' has what appears to be two belts in perfect orbit around his thighs without actually coming into contact with his pants.

* Yue of ''Franchise/LapisReLights'' wears four belts for her stage outfit. One is actually helping hold her short shorts up, the other three are purely for aesthetics especially the one on her bare thigh.

* Jack from ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' uses belts to make a bra. [[http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen/92374/Mass-Effect-2/ It looks about as comfortable as it sounds]]. If asked, she'll state that it's because while she was in prison, she didn't want to show off her breasts [[PrisonRape for obvious reasons]], but that doesn't explain [[FridgeLogic why she didn't just put a shirt on]]. Her unlockable and purchasable alternate outfits gives her slightly more normal clothes.

* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'':
** The outfit Diana switches to for heroics after ComicBook/{{Artemis}} becomes the new Wonder Woman at the conclusion of ComicBook/TheContest includes two belts around her waist, a belt holding up her strapless top like a halter neck and belts on the ankles of her boots.
** When Circe returns to being Circe her outfit includes a belt around her waist and two belts around her upper thighs one of which has a pouch on it.

** Also it can be an optimization trick to have a character that wears several of the magic item called the belt of battle to get extra actions, which avoids the usual magic item restrictions by being a charged item.

* Haseo from ''[[Franchise/DotHack .hack//GU]]'' has ''[[http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h245/DRCEQ2/Dot%20Hack/52belts.jpg Numerous]]'' belts (or rather, buckled leather straps) spread across his body in his first form (his following forms however lose most of them). However, unlike many examples on this page, the design is actually a case where it's [[VindicatedByHistory Vindicated by History]] when one researches how armoring an individual has evolved; as the *ACTUAL* pattern of how the straps are distributed match the placement of where actual light leather armor would serve a place in existing to protect the body (even if the design is of a person that is existing inside of a video game), and aesthetically matches that of real historical leather armor made from interwoven straps for lightly-armored individuals. As this is from before Haseo Multi-classes and gets to be shown wearing heavier armor, his first form was supposed to be a lightly-armored speedy fencer, and the game-world the character exists in being one where this type of interwoven-leather-strap armor would've been historically appropriate for the setting, This is one of the few cases where it's actually (relatively) [[JustifiedTrope justified]] as having a purpose in looking like this, and not just as a silly aesthetic.