Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A two-part metal buckle whose halves slot into each other is a fastener with no prong and no holes in the belt. One half ends in a round disc, the other in a ring that receives and holds the disc. When fastened, the buckle looks like a single round plate, with the two ends of the belt on either side. Polkom is a manufacturer of metal accessories and offers two-part interlocking buckles in rose gold, gunmetal and nickel colour – all our metal products are nickel free.
In this article you will see how the buckle is built, which garments it suits, how the strap is sewn on and what to include in your enquiry. If you need a fastener that locks with a click or a lever, see also the article on metal buckles with a locking mechanism.
How a two-part interlocking buckle is built
The two-part buckle consists of two separate metal pieces, each with its own bar for the strap:
- Disc half – a flat plate with a rectangular slot for the strap and a round disc that acts as the “key”.
- Ring half – a plate with a strap slot and a round ring with inner tabs that hold the disc.
To fasten it, the disc is inserted into the ring and sits inside it. The front stays smooth and symmetrical with no visible mechanism, which is why this type is also called a “round interlocking buckle”, a “medallion buckle” or simply a dress belt buckle. Unlike a classic prong buckle, it needs no holes in the belt – the length is set when the strap is sewn.
Colours: rose gold, gunmetal and nickel
Two-part metal buckles are available in three finishes. The choice depends on the other metal accessories in the garment – buttons, rings, cord ends – and on the colour of the fabric.
| Colour | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rose gold | Warm, soft pinkish-gold tone | Dresses, summer collections, pastel and beige fabrics |
| Gunmetal | Dark, graphite metallic | Black and dark fabrics, coats, a sharper urban style |
| Nickel colour (nickel free) | Bright, silvery shine | Cool colours, white, grey, blue, denim |
“Nickel” here refers only to the colour of the finish – the buckle itself is nickel free, like all Polkom metal products. You can read more about safe finishes in the article nickel-free accessories for clothing, and about combining metal tones in metal button colours: nickel, gold, gunmetal.
Which garments use a two-part buckle
Dress and tunic belts
The most common use is a narrow or medium-width belt for a dress. The round plate sits right at the centre of the waist and acts as a decorative accent without weighing down the silhouette. A self-fabric belt finished with a rose gold buckle is a classic choice for formal and summer styles.
Coat, trench coat and cardigan belts
On coats, the buckle has to fasten quickly and lie flat. The two-part design has no prong to catch the fabric and works well with soft belts in wool or gabardine. For the general rules on choosing a coat buckle, see buckles for coat and dress belts.
Elastic belts
Elastic belts for dresses and skirts are very often made with a two-part buckle: the elastic is sewn to both halves, and its stretch lets the buckle be fastened and opened without any adjustment. Wide elastic for such belts can be found in our elastics category.
Bags, accessories and uniforms
The buckle can also serve as a decorative fastener on a shoulder strap, a bag belt or a uniform detail, wherever a clean, symmetrical front matters.
How to sew the strap to the buckle
- Measure the strap – the inner width of the slot must match the width of the strap or elastic. A strap that is too narrow twists, one that is too wide will not pass through.
- Set the length – since the buckle has no adjustment holes, the belt length is fixed when sewing. Test it on a dress form or a sample garment.
- Thread and fold – pass the strap through the slot, fold it inwards and sew it with a box or cross stitch.
- Check the orientation – both halves must be sewn so that the disc enters the ring with the front facing out.
- Test the fastening – before a production run, sew a few samples and check that the seam does not get in the way of inserting the disc.
A detailed guide to fitting other types of buckles is in the article how to attach a buckle to a belt, and for strap widths see belt buckle sizes.
Two-part buckle or locking buckle
An interlocking two-part buckle is first of all a decorative fastener: it holds the belt in place and gives the garment a finished look. When the strap has to carry weight, however – on a bag, a backpack or workwear – a metal buckle with a locking mechanism that clicks shut or locks with a lever is the better choice. For an overview of all mechanisms, see types of buckles.
Advantages and what to watch out for
The main advantage of the two-part buckle is its clean front: no prong, no holes in the belt and no visible mechanism. It fastens with one hand, and the round plate can become a recognisable element of the collection. What to watch out for: the length cannot be adjusted after sewing, so the belt size must be tested, and with very thick or stiff fabric it is wise to test a sample to make sure the strap passes freely through the slot.
What to include in your enquiry
- the width of the strap or elastic that will pass through the slot;
- the finish – rose gold, gunmetal or nickel colour (nickel free);
- the type of product – dress, coat, elastic belt, bag;
- the approximate quantity and whether you need a sample before production;
- whether you want a logo on the disc – see metal buckles with logo.
Two-part metal buckles from the manufacturer – Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags with over 30 years of experience. All our metal products are nickel free, and our products are covered by an OEKO-TEX® certificate. Browse our metal buckles and send us an enquiry with the strap width, colour and quantity – we will suggest the right model and send a sample.
