The Cummerbounds
The cummerbund’s use was introduced in India by the British military in the mid-nineteenth century during the colonial period: it replaced, in ceremonies and official dinners, the traditional vest worn under the jacket which, due to the high temperatures of the area, became oppressive.
This remained a military custom only for a short time: in fact, with the appearance, a few years later, of the tuxedo and the Black tie style, a series of accessories were developed to complete this kind of clothing. Thus, in addition to the irreplaceable black satin bow tie, matching with trousers’ stripes and covered buttons, the cummerbund was added, also in black satin.
The choice turned out to be immediately happy: the cummerbund, that completes an impeccable dress code, has the undoubted advantage, worn halfway between trousers and shirt, replacing the belt, to hide a little the roundness around the waist and giving more slenderness to the whole figure.
Due to it’s main destination, the evening event, the cummerbund is mainly worn in black, dark gray and blue but, we know, today we love to be more imaginative. You can meet newlyweds wearing a tuxedo cummerbund and bow tie in green, orange or other colors, to match a detail of the bride’s dress.
The right way to wear the sash is the one that allows the folds to become small, comfortable pockets to hold small items such as the cigarette lighter or the car key.
