What The Heck Is A cumme*rbund?
The cumme*rbund is a classic piece of black tie attire worn around a man’s waist. Despite it’s longevity in the world of formal wear, there is a lot of mystery surrounding the cumme*rbund. How do you wear it? When do you wear it? What do you wear it with? Let’s dive in and solve the mystery of the cumme*rbund.
History and Origin
The cumme*rbund isn’t new. It originates from colonial India in the 1850s. British military officers were stationed in India during this time and, despite the hot temperatures, wore full formal uniforms, including waistcoats, to dinner. The British saw Indian soldiers wearing kamarbands (waist sashes) and adopted this look at a cooler alternative to the waistcoat.
The cumme*rbund made its way back to England and became a popular formal accessory in the Victorian era among civilians. By the early twentieth century, the tuxedo was extremely popular among New York’s social elite. Accessories to pair with the tuxedo were trending, and the cumme*rbund was soon a staple of black tie attire in the United States.
The cumme*rbund became popular in the United States in the early twentieth century when New York's social elite began pairing accessories with their tuxedos.
Purpose
As we just touched on, the original purpose of the cumme*rbund was to keep men cooler than wearing a full waistcoat. This still proves true today, of course. You’ll be cooler wearing a cumme*rbund under a tuxedo than a vest.
However, today the purpose of a cumme*rbund is mainly to cover the waist. It keeps your dress shirt looking smooth in an area that sometimes looks a little funky when your shirt untucks or puffs up slightly. When you wear a cumme*rbund, you won’t be constantly tucking your shirt back in every time you stand up or sit down.
You also may have heard the cumme*rbund’s nickname: The crumb catcher. You always wear a cumme*rbund with the pleats facing up, and sometimes those pleats do in fact catch crumbs. (Just remember to clean those crumbs out as soon as you get a chance.)
Going back to the Victorian era, the small pleats of a cumme*rbund were used as ticket holders in an age that people dressed formally to attend the opera and symphonies. Yes, those pleats can be used as pockets for small, flat items.
Popularity
The popularity of a cumme*rbund comes and goes. Nowadays, vests and suspenders are definitely more popular than cumme*rbunds. However, that doesn’t mean the cumme*rbund is out of style. Like a bow tie, a cumme*rbund will never look outdated at a formal or black tie event. Rather, more people will be wearing vests, suspenders or simply a dress shirt and jacket than cumme*rbund.
Spelling
cumme*rbund or cumberbund? The correct way to spell this men’s accessory is cumme*rbund, no letter b. According to dictionaries, cumberbund is an alternative spelling, but we personally think people just pronounced the word incorrectly enough times that it became commonly used in the United States.
How To Put On A cumme*rbund
The cumme*rbund is worn around the waist, placed on top of a shirt and pants. It does not attach to the clothing. Before you put on your cumme*rbund, always turn it so the pleats are facing up. (Remember, you won’t catch any crumbs if the pleats are down.) The cumme*rbund then secures in the back. Don’t worry, there’s no new knot you need to learn how to tie to keep it closed. (Could you imagine?!) Usually, the back of a cumme*rbund consists of elastic or fabric straps that easily attach or buckle. Elastic straps typically adjust and secure with a hook and eye type closure. Fabric straps usually buckle and then have a hidden pocket to hide any excess material. (Here at TieMart our cumme*rbunds have elastic straps and are really easy to put on.)
Placement of a cumme*rbund
Wearing a cumme*rbund too high or low can look awkward, so it’s important to get the placement correct. The cumme*rbund should be worn at the natural waist. This might require wearing your pants slightly higher than you’re used to. When putting it on, place it so about half of the cumme*rbund covers your pants and the other half covers your shirt. It will fully cover the waistband of your pants.
Tie Style
cumme*rbunds should be worn with bow ties, not neckties. Really, it’s about the length. A properly fitted necktie hits at about the belt line, so right where the cumme*rbund sits. It’s just too much going on if you’re wearing a necktie and cumme*rbund. Stick to bow ties for a cleaner look.
As far as bow tie styles go, take your pick. Etiquette says to wear a self-tie bow tie to black tie events. If you can’t tie a bow tie or prefer a perfectly tied bow, pair your cumme*rbund with a pre-tied band collar or clip-on bow tie. As long as you’re wearing a bow tie with your cumme*rbund (versus a necktie) no one will comment otherwise.
For black tie events, pair a black cumme*rbund with a black self-tie bow tie.
Do The Bow Tie and cumme*rbund Have To Match?
For black tie events, your black cumme*rbund should match your black bow tie. For less formal occasions, there are a lot of different options about whether your bow tie should match your cumme*rbund. Some say it’s okay to wear a colored cumme*rbund with a solid black bow tie. We’ve seen solid color cumme*rbunds look great paired with pattern bow ties. It’s really up to you whether you match your bow tie and cumme*rbund. If you’re not the most stylish person and just not sure, stick to matching bow ties and cumme*rbunds. If you want to mix and match the accessories but nervous to do so, look for a different color bow tie and cumme*rbund that are made from the same material (satin finish, etc.). The items will still look like they are meant to be worn together, even if they are different colors.
There are a lot of different options about whether your bow tie should match your cumme*rbund.
When Do You Wear A cumme*rbund?
Today, a cumme*rbund can be worn for any formal occasion that you would wear a tuxedo. Black tie events, weddings, prom, galas. These are all appropriate times to wear a cumme*rbund. Stick to these formal occasions for the cumme*rbund. It’s not appropriate to wear a cumme*rbund to a funeral, the office or casual wear.
Can You Wear a cumme*rbund Without A Tuxedo?
If you’re attending a black tie event, your black cumme*rbund should be worn with a single-breasted tuxedo, (plus a white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie and white pocket square). However, you can wear a cumme*rbund without a tuxedo to events less formal than black tie. We see this look most at prom, weddings and formal uniform wear. Paired with a dress shirt and slacks, the cumme*rbund and bow tie is a more affordable formal wear option than renting or purchasing a full tuxedo.
cumme*rbund And Vest? Suspenders?
cumme*rbunds should not be worn with a vest. In fact, the cumme*rbund is a cooler (temperature-wise) alternative to the vest. So, pick one accessory to wear, the cumme*rbund or vest.
Suspenders, however, can be worn with a cumme*rbund. The suspenders should be put on first, followed by the cumme*rbund on top. As far as suspenders colors go, black is always an option. If you’re wearing a colored cumme*rbund (pink, purple, green, etc.), the suspenders can match your bow tie and cumme*rbund.
Suspenders can be worn with a cumme*rbund. The cumme*rbund goes on top of the suspenders.
Belts And cumme*rbunds?
You do not wear a belt with a cumme*rbund. You want your cumme*rbund to fit tight, and a belt will look bulky underneath. If your pants are slightly big and you feel like you need a belt, we suggest a pair of suspenders instead.
Now that you’re a cumme*rbund expert, try out the look. TieMart offers a selection of affordable cumme*rbunds, including black cumme*rbunds for black tie events, and many other solid colors.
About TieMart
TieMart is an online retailer of men’s neckties, bow ties and other accessories. A wide selection of pattern ties are available at TieMart, including popular paisley ties for weddings, traditional plaid ties for the office and collegiate two-color striped ties for graduation or school uniforms. Send in a picture and you can even create a custom photo tie. TieMart ties are affordable and ship quickly from their Midwest location.
As a seasoned enthusiast in men's formal wear and accessories, my expertise extends to the nuanced details of items like the cumme*rbund. I've delved deep into the historical origins, purposes, popularity trends, proper spelling controversies, and the intricate art of wearing and pairing cumme*rbunds. Allow me to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article.
Historical Context and Origin:
The cumme*rbund traces its roots back to colonial India in the 1850s, where British military officers, stationed in the hot climate, adopted the Indian soldiers' kamarbands (waist sashes) as a cooler alternative to the waistcoat. The trend made its way to England and became a staple of formal wear during the Victorian era. In the early twentieth century, the cumme*rbund gained popularity in the United States, particularly among New York's social elite.
Purpose:
Initially designed to keep men cooler than a full waistcoat, the cumme*rbund still serves this function today. However, its primary purpose has evolved to cover the waist, providing a smooth look to the dress shirt and preventing it from untucking or puffing up. The small pleats of the cumme*rbund were historically used as ticket holders in the Victorian era, and they can also function as pockets for small, flat items.
Popularity and Spelling:
The popularity of cumme*rbunds has varied over time, with vests and suspenders currently more favored. Despite this, a cumme*rbund remains a timeless accessory for formal or black-tie events. The correct spelling is "cumme*rbund," with "cumberbund" being an alternative, possibly arising from common mispronunciation in the United States.
How to Put On and Placement:
Wearing a cumme*rbund involves placing it around the waist, on top of a shirt and pants. The pleats should face up, and it typically secures in the back with elastic or fabric straps. Proper placement is crucial, with the cumme*rbund worn at the natural waist, covering about half of the pants and half of the shirt.
Tie Style and Matching:
cumme*rbunds should be paired with bow ties, not neckties, for a cleaner look. The length of a properly fitted necktie coincides with the cumme*rbund, creating a balanced appearance. For black tie events, it's advisable to match a black cumme*rbund with a black self-tie bow tie. Matching bow ties and cumme*rbunds is recommended for those unsure about mixing and matching.
When to Wear and Dress Code:
cumme*rbunds are appropriate for any formal occasion where a tuxedo is worn, including black tie events, weddings, proms, and galas. However, they are not suitable for casual wear, the office, or funerals.
cumme*rbund Without a Tuxedo:
While traditionally worn with a single-breasted tuxedo for black tie events, cumme*rbunds can be worn without a tuxedo for less formal occasions such as proms, weddings, and formal uniform wear, paired with a dress shirt and slacks.
cumme*rbund and Vest? Suspenders? Belts?
cumme*rbunds should not be worn with vests, as they serve as a cooler alternative. Suspenders can be worn with cumme*rbunds; they are put on first, with the cumme*rbund on top. Belts are not worn with cumme*rbunds, as they can create bulkiness; instead, suspenders are recommended for a secure fit.
As a cumme*rbund expert, I emphasize the importance of understanding these nuances to achieve a polished and sophisticated look for any formal occasion. Whether it's about historical significance, proper wear, or style coordination, mastering the art of the cumme*rbund adds an extra layer of finesse to one's formal attire.
