Editing Stable belt (section)

{{Short description|Military belt}}
[[Image:Stablebelt.png|300px|thumb|A pre-2007 stable belt of the Royal Air Force. Newer versions feature a metal decorative buckle.]]
A '''stable belt''' is a striped coloured belt worn at times by the [[armed forces]] of the United Kingdom, other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries, and a few other countries including Denmark, Brazil and Lebanon. The stripes vary by [[regiment]] and [[corps]], identifying the wearer's unit. In Brazil and Lebanon they are known as '''gymnastic belts'''.

The term "stable belt" originates from when UK [[cavalry]]men would place the [[surcingle]] around the waist when cleaning the [[stable]]s and tending to their [[horse]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Henthorne|first1=Stephen E.|title=The Origins of the Stable Belt|url=http://www.stablebelts.co.uk/stablebeltorigin.html|website=Stablebelts|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref> In the 1950s they spread to all branches of the armed forces, adding a splash of colour and individuality to the drab [[khaki]] working uniforms. Initially they were resisted by many senior officers, who saw them as too individualistic, but they soon became accepted throughout the UK forces, and spread to the forces of a number of other countries. The "gymnastic belt" of some countries has a similar appearance and purpose, with a name reflecting its origin in physical training equipment. [[Sword belt]]s of similar appearance are used on ceremonial occasions by some military forces.<ref>{{Cite report|url=https://rmhistorical.com/files/content/RAF%20Dress%20Regulations%202004.pdf|title=UNIFORM DRESS AND APPEARANCE REGULATIONS FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE|year=2004|edition=6|id=AP 1358|publisher=Ministry of Defence|pages=9–16 - Ceremonial Sword Belt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/documents/reference-library/br-3-vol-1/chapter-39.pdf|title=Royal Navy Book of Reference|id=BRd3(1)|chapter=39. ROYAL NAVY OFFICERS AND RATINGS, Annex 39A: RN Dress Tables|date=October 2018|edition=9|page=39A-1,39A-33}}</ref>