Do You Wear a Belt With a Cummerbund?
Cummerbunds are essential to black tie etiquette, giving formal suits a finished appeal. They cover the unsightly bunching that occurs when a shirt is tucked into trousers and provide an aesthetic benefit to your ensemble. Although cummerbunds are undeniably considered old school in today's anything-but-traditional landscape, they're experiencing a modern revival with celebrities like Bradley Cooper and Alan Joe Alwyn sporting them on the 2019 Oscars Red Carpet. They're also known for their love affair with James Bond.
With all the heritage associated with cummerbunds, they come with an established rule book backed by years of tradition. The number one rule of wearing a cummerbund is to never wear a cummerbund with a belt.
Belts and cummerbunds are two accessories that need to be fixed. They're both worn around the hips where your shirt meets your trousers, so some apparent friction will occur when you try to wear them together.
The benefit of wearing cummerbunds is their smoothing effect on your lower body, as they flatten out any unsightly bulging that occurs when you tuck your shirt into your pants. Trying to wear a belt underneath a cummerbund will undo all the magic cummerbunds employ: smooth out your lower body, provide a seamless transition from your shirt to your pants, and give your outfit an overall completed look.
How to Wear a Cummerbund
Rule 1
Cummerbunds are designed with rows of pleats that should be worn facing upwards.
Rule 2
Cummerbunds should be worn at your natural waistline. This means your trousers should be worn around the level of your navel, and half of your cummerbund should cover your shirt. If worn too low or too high, your cummerbund can make your body look out of proportion.
Rule 3
Cummerbunds are to be worn with bow ties, not ties, as is customary with black tie event attire. They are synonymous with tuxedo dressing, and bow ties should naturally be paired with them. A tie can make a cummerbund look overcrowded and untidy as it awkwardly overlaps.
Rule 4
Cummerbunds are to be worn over suspenders, not underneath. This makes your ensemble look neater and more refined.
Rule 5
Match your cummerbund with your jacket lapels. If your jacket's lapels have a satin finish, it will make the most sense to wear a satin cummerbund (or faux satin, at the very least).
Now that you're well-versed in old-school accessories, you'll be well-equipped to wear any tuxedo confidently. It certainly pays to perfect the small details, especially in an ensemble where every detail counts.
