Cummerbunds are an essential part of black tie etiquette and they give formal suits a finished appeal. Cummerbunds are used to cover the unsightly bunching that occurs when a shirt is tucked into trousers and they also provide an aesthetic benefit to your overall ensemble.

What is the point of a cummerbund?

The primary purpose of the tuxedo cummerbund is the preserve the immaculate presentation expected when wearing formal attire. Serving as a waist covering, a tuxedo cummerbund prevents your shirt from showing below the buttoning point of your jacket, maintaining a much neater appearance.

Is a cummerbund necessary?

Wearing a cummerbund isn't obligatory, but if you're going to wear a tuxedo and forgo the waistcoat, we strongly encourage you to wear a cummerbund. This is particularly true in warm weather, when even a backless waistcoat may be impractical.