 One of the best known texts to become a girdle book is Boethius's "Consolation of Philosophy", although it is the only surviving philosophical/theological girdle book.Women especially wore the girdle book out of convenience since it was already fashionable, at least in the 15th century, to wear a girdle belt above the waistline.A book secured on the girdle belt served both the utilitarian function of enabling hands-free carrying and protecting valuable books from theft and the elements.