Cummerbund. The Suit Accessory With A Funny Name.

What in the world is a cummerbund? This is a question I hear some people ask. Typically worn with a dinner suit, a cummerbund is a piece of material, usually made of silk that is wrapped around the waist. It is put on for vanity purposes only and was originally used by top ranking British Army Officers who were on duty in the colonies.

The main purpose of wearing a cummerbund currently might be just to hide an increasing waistline. It will always make your legs appear longer, but it was considered a leftover piece of clothing from a past time period.

However, some of the more fashion-forward men of our era can make a cummerbund look modern and sophisticated. Soccer star David Beckham created a temporary fashion resurrection of the cummerbund by wearing one to accessorize his suit as his celebrated his birthday.

Lately even the Italian fashion houses have been experimenting with adding the cummerbund to their men’s collections. Gucci and Galliano offered cummerbunds with some of their suits in their new collections in recent runway shows.

Always associated with the most formal of occasions, the cummerbund has now been given a makeover and is appearing everywhere as a casual accessory. Indeed, the aforementioned Becks wore no tie and an unbuttoned shirt. The reviews voted it a big hit and so the look was made.

Its not a feeling shared by all though. As with any fashion there will always be those who disapprove. Something as radical as a cummerbund is likely these days to make too provocative a statement for many.

Some people may think that instead of concealing the waistline, it really brings attention to the waistline. This would definitely be the case for someone who is overweight, specifically if someone has on a cummerbund of another color. Maybe this nonconformist just doesn’t have any regards for what someone else thinks.

Cummerbunds can often be bought in sets with a matching tie. These are available as gift sets which is testimony to their increased popularity. Of all the occasions they are often worn, the wedding party is probably the most popular. Nothing quite beats the sight of the groom and his entourage in matching outfits. Whether or not that includes a cummerbund is up to the groom himself. If so, some of the party may be finding themselves wearing one for the first time. They may just like the style.

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