| Revision as of 00:33, 24 November 2006 edit202.124.221.42 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 13:06, 11 January 2007 edit undo193.34.231.232 (talk) Added to description of use. Included key designers. Included UK and USA availability.Next edit → | ||
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| A '''cummerbund''' is a broad waist sash, usually ]ed, which is often worn with ]. The cummerbund was first adopted by ] military officers in colonial ] and later spread to civilian use. | A '''cummerbund''' is a broad waist sash, usually ]ed, which is often worn with ]. The cummerbund was first adopted by ] military officers in colonial ] and later spread to civilian use. The modern day use of the cummerbund is as an elegant fashion accessory to complement the wearing of a tuxedo during formal evening occasions. | ||
| The name comes from the ] for ''waist restraint'' (''kamar'' "waist" and ''band'' "to close") and was borrowed into English from the Hindi word meaning "loinband" in 1616. | The name comes from the ] for ''waist restraint'' (''kamar'' "waist" and ''band'' "to close") and was borrowed into English from the Hindi word meaning "loinband" in 1616. | ||
| Cummerbunds should be worn with the openings of the pleats facing up to hold ticket stubs (e.g., coat check, theater tickets, etc.). | Cummerbunds should be worn with the openings of the pleats facing up to hold ticket stubs (e.g., coat check, theater tickets, etc.). | ||
| ==Designers and retailers of Cummerbunds== | |||
| Many of the top fashion houses offer formal cummerbunds in their annual collections however leading designers of cummerbunds include ], ] and Robert Charles. Robert Charles is particularly renowned for silk cummerbunds with interesting and colourful designs (mostly floral). | |||
| Within the UK cummerbunds are available from leading men's apparel and accessory retailers including the likes of ], ], ], ], and ]. Within the US retailers include the department stores ] and ]. In addition, a gentleman wishing to purchase a cummerbund can visit a local traditional men's formal eveningwear store. | |||
| == Cummerbands == | == Cummerbands == | ||
Revision as of 13:06, 11 January 2007
A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with black tie. The cummerbund was first adopted by British military officers in colonial India and later spread to civilian use. The modern day use of the cummerbund is as an elegant fashion accessory to complement the wearing of a tuxedo during formal evening occasions.
The name comes from the Persian for waist restraint (kamar "waist" and band "to close") and was borrowed into English from the Hindi word meaning "loinband" in 1616.
Cummerbunds should be worn with the openings of the pleats facing up to hold ticket stubs (e.g., coat check, theater tickets, etc.).
Designers and retailers of Cummerbunds
Many of the top fashion houses offer formal cummerbunds in their annual collections however leading designers of cummerbunds include Thomas Pink, Turnbull & Asser and Robert Charles. Robert Charles is particularly renowned for silk cummerbunds with interesting and colourful designs (mostly floral).
Within the UK cummerbunds are available from leading men's apparel and accessory retailers including the likes of Charles Tyrwhitt, KJ Beckett, John Lewis Partnership, House of Fraser, and Selfridges. Within the US retailers include the department stores Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. In addition, a gentleman wishing to purchase a cummerbund can visit a local traditional men's formal eveningwear store.
Cummerbands
Similar to the cummerbund, a cummerband is an accessory to the dress uniform used extensively in the Indian Army, a holdover from the original use by the British military. It is generally worn during ceremonial parades and dinners. Like the cummerbund it is a long strip of cloth (usually based on the regimental colours) which is tightly worn around a soldier's waist. Unlike the standard cummerbund, a leather belt is generally worn on top of this cloth piece.
Cummerbunds in diving
A cummerbund is also an informal word used in SCUBA diving to mean a wide waistband on a diving stability jacket—Buoyancy Control Device—designed to provide more comfort to the user than a standard waistband and usually made of a stout fabric backed with velcro fastenings.
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