Alex Aillon

Question:  Is A Cumberbund proper any longer, or is it just for formal attire?
Answer:  The cumberbund, or cummerbund, became a fashion of dress of gentlemen in England when it was imported from India during British rule.  Actually, Cummerbund (Kamarband: India) means 'waist - band' and was something worn for all occasions in India.  The British adopted this and slowly the 'sash' developed into a pleated waistband looking thing you see at The Tux Shop.  The cummerbund used to be worn for function, preventing bread crumbs and whatnot from slipping inside ones trousers during dinner, just make sure the pleats face up and not down.  I would assume that is where the connection developed for wearing a cummerbund for dinner event, and slowly it became more of an accessory versus a necessity and then moved from status symbol to mindless tradition.  Anyway, I say wear your cummerbund whenever you feel like it, and if anyone gives you any ’guff’, throw your nose up in the air and give them a brief history of the cummerbund with a fake British accent.