A cummerbund is a wide pleated sash worn at the waist with a tuxedo, covering the join of the shirt and trousers. Historically the cummerbund came from the East (the Persian kamar-band — 'waist band') via British colonial officers and became an elegant alternative to the waistcoat in summer formal dress. The pleats of the cummerbund traditionally face upward (by legend, to hold tickets or small things). A classic cummerbund is black, matching the bow tie, and together they form a harmonious evening ensemble. It is a detail of strict etiquette and refined formality. A cummerbund is a wide pleated sash for a tuxedo, in which Eastern roots combine with the role of an elegant alternative to the waistcoat in formal dress, giving an evening look a finished, refined harmony by the strict rules of etiquette.
