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Fashion Lingo: where does the cummerbund get its name from?

9.2.2023

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

A handbag is a bag for your hand, shoulder pads are pads for your shoulders and a cummerbund is, erm ... What is it even for and where on earth did it get its name from?

More often than not, words speak volumes or are self-explanatory. Not so in the case of the cummerbund. Barbie’s Ken wore one. Even back then, the term was a mystery to me. I think the mini version of me can be forgiven for not knowing. But even now, some 30 years later, I can’t make sense of who or what the fancy belly band owes its name to.

What’s the origin of the word cummerbund?

Why do you call it that and why don’t you just wear a waistcoat under your tuxedo jacket? Here’s why: for thousands of years, bodices or waist bands have been part of many national costumes in South Asia and the Middle East. They’re used for decorative purposes or even to store small weapons such as daggers. In the 17th century, the bands made their way from the common people to the upper class. This meant new, luxurious materials such as silk brocade or cashmere and a shift to a merely decorative purpose.

In the colonial period, the British also took a shine to the kamarband. In high temperatures, it was much more comfortable to wear under a suit or uniform jacket than a waistcoat. Hang on a minute. Kamarband? Yep, that’s a Persian word made up of kamar = waist and band, which is the present stem of bastan = to bind. And there it is, that self-explanatory word.

What happened next is pretty obvious in terms of etymology. The British not only appropriated the traditional accessory, but also butchered kamarband by turning it into cummerbund, before exporting it to Europe. In this country, the fashion item truly boomed and was given an even clumsier and germanised name with Kummerbund. It became a must-have to look the part in a tuxedo. By the way, with the sole purpose to hide the waistband of your pants.

However, anyone invited to a black tie event today will probably go for a waistcoat. But we all know: it’s just a matter of time for fashion trends to resurface a second, third or fourth time. Whenever that time may be, please remember to colour-coordinate your cummerbund with your bow tie and pocket square. Got it? Good.

In the series «Fashion Lingo», I try to shed light on obscure realms of communication. If you occasionally end up lost in translation, I’m sure I can help – drop me a line in the comments field.

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Laura Scholz

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Fashion Lingo: where does the cummerbund get its name from?

What’s the origin of the word cummerbund?

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