Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I have a black tie event and had to rent a tux, I went classic style, black tux, white shirt, black bow-tie. Do I need to wear the cumberbund that comes with it? not such a fan. If I decide not to do I need to get suspenders instead or something to not look retarded?

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

no need for suspenders or a cummerbund. in fact def dont wear suspenders

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I think a tux requires a cumberbund or vest and I think they are generally paired with a bow-tie or tie respectively. In other words, yea, stick with the cumberbund or switch to a regular tie and wear a vest.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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no need for suspenders or a cummerbund. in fact def dont wear suspenders

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Usually guids is right about these things, but if it's a formal black tie event, yes, you need a cummerbund.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

i was thinking like white suspenders instead if that was an option ok...

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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no need for suspenders or a cummerbund. in fact def dont wear suspenders

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Usually guids is right about these things, but if it's a formal black tie event, yes, you need a cummerbund.

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If a tux sans cummberbund is good enough for James Bond, it is good enough for me.


OP, if you are a younger dude, you can pull a lot of with a tuxedo that older dudes probably cant.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Drop the cumberbund and get a vest.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

cumberbunds are the ghey.

go for a vest. consider a straight tie instead of bowtie. depends on the event though.

also, if you are fully grown, consider buying a tux instead of renting. go for peaked lapels instead of notched. brooks bros has nice stuff.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Cummerbund and suspenders are not related at all. Whether or not you wear one has nothing to do with whether you wear the other.

Traditionally speaking, you wear a cummerbund with a shawl collar jacket and a vest with a peak lapel jacket. You do wear one or the other because your waist band isn't supposed to show with a tux. Also, traditionally speaking, you don't wear a long tie with a tux.

Suspenders are appropriate, as are white suspenders. But a rental will usually have side adjusters on the pants, rendering suspenders superfluous. You don't wear a belt with a tux, though.

Whether or not you wear suspenders, no one should see them as there's no reason to take off your jacket while attending a formal event.

Whether or not you want to follow the traditional rules is a different question, of course.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Cumberbunds are way out of style. Vests are the way to go these days.

I recently went to buy a tux. I asked the lady there if anyone actually wore a cumberbund anymore. She said no, and said she doesn't understand why they even offer them at all since no one every picks them.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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also, if you are fully grown, consider buying a tux instead of renting. go for peaked lapels instead of notched. brooks bros has nice stuff.

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Yup. Buying a basic tux with all the accessories is only 2-3x the cost of renting one. Plus, since it's a tux and they all look essentially the same, you don't need to go all out and buy some expensive brand.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I too recommend buying one if you can ever have reason to wear one more than once. Rented tuxes are generally pretty bad, a nice one fitted to you is definitely the way to go.

No to the cumberbund. I don't like the vest idea either, unless you're thin. Suspenders are fine, you generally don't take the jacket off, so no one will see them. You can wear a standard (solid color) tie with a tux as well, this has been in style for some time, but there is definitely a way to do it correctly. (I've done my tux with a black shirt and silver tie, but my tux allows for that. Some classic styles don't.)

Consult someone locally who knows what they're doing.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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no need for suspenders or a cummerbund. in fact def dont wear suspenders

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Usually guids is right about these things, but if it's a formal black tie event, yes, you need a cummerbund.

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If a tux sans cummberbund is good enough for James Bond, it is good enough for me.


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He was wearing suspenders, though. (At least he was in Casino Royale).

But Bond also has worn notch lapel tuxedos, which is not considered proper by most traditionalists. Just because Bond wears something doesn't mean it's correct.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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Consult someone locally who knows what they're doing.

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He is consulting someone, the rental place.

From the OP, he seems to want to wear his tux in a traditional manner. Meaning no long tie. No black shirt. No silver tie.

Since he wants to be tradititional, then the answer is that he has to wear either a cummerbund or a vest.

If he wants to mix things up a bit, that's fine. But it's not traditional.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I go very simple - no cumberbund, no vest, just suspenders. it's a classic good look, and can be very formal.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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no need for suspenders or a cummerbund. in fact def dont wear suspenders

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Usually guids is right about these things, but if it's a formal black tie event, yes, you need a cummerbund.

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If a tux sans cummberbund is good enough for James Bond, it is good enough for me.


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He was wearing suspenders, though. (At least he was in Casino Royale).

But Bond also has worn notch lapel tuxedos, which is not considered proper by most traditionalists. Just because Bond wears something doesn't mean it's correct.

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He was? I knew he was w/o cummberbund, but I couldnt remember if he had no suspenders, the only time I can remember seeing him w/o jacket is this scene:

http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/im...1163730149.jpg

but, I cant really remember.



PS...if Bond does it, of course it is correct... Although, I will say that this is a situation where being able to pull a certain thing off is going to make all the difference.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Yeah.

I'm not going to wear the cumberbund, I've thought about buying a tux, but I'm not sure if I can justify it. The last time I wore one was for HS prom... I entertained the idea, and I was going to just go classic style. I did the vest thing in HS and all the crazy colors and [censored]. That stuff is fun I guess when you are in high school but now just seems kinda lame. I'd rather go with a classic and clean look. Same idea there with the tie vs. bow tie... I think the bow tie is classier, now I just need to learn how to tie my own.

How often do you find yourself wearing your tux? Until I become Bond I can't see myself wearing it enough to justify buying one...

Also side note, what are inverted pleats? I normally have only known dress slacks to have pleats or straight hem... what's an inverted pleat, what body types wear this? Is this for fat people? skinny people? Tall? Short?

Thanks.

Edit: Also the tux shirt should or should not be done french cuff style?

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

BTW, if you go with a vest, go with a full vest, not that backless vest thing. It looks stupid if you take your jacket off.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I think I remember seeing him wearing white suspenders when he is sitting at the table. Is it also customary to not wear an undershirt with dress shirts? I sweat like a pig so I've always worn one, also most of my shirts were bought pre-poker so the fabric is pretty thin.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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I think I remember seeing him wearing white suspenders when he is sitting at the table. Is it also customary to not wear an undershirt with dress shirts? I sweat like a pig so I've always worn one, also most of my shirts were bought pre-poker so the fabric is pretty thin.

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Actually, I sweat more with an undershirt on, but no, I doubt it matters much. He may have been wearing suspenders, but like soneone said earlier suspenders and cummberbunds have nothing to do with eachother. Its not like the belt/suspender relationship.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I'm curious as to this too. I've seen it described as something only hillbillies do, but never having known any hillbillies, I have no idea what they do with t-shirts or whether it's right or wrong.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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Edit: Also the tux shirt should or should not be done french cuff style?

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Shirts for formal should always be french cuff. Wing collar or traditional collar is up to you, with traditional collars being more popular today.

As for his suspenders, he was definitely wearing white suspenders. Made by Albert Thurston.

http://www.albertthurston.com/pics/C...ls/evening.jpg

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Ah, ya, I like that look, honestly I thought that was the cut of his shirt.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

in uk, suspenders = stockings and men wear braces. confusion.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Ha. I was looking up the suspenders thing and came across this:

http://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/index.php?m=home

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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in uk, suspenders = stockings and men wear braces. confusion.

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Actually, suspenders = garters in UK. That's the stuff that holds up a woman's stockings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_(stockings)

Braces are the UK word for suspenders.

They also use the word "waistcoat" instead of vest. And the phrase "dinner jacket" instead of tuxedo. They're weird.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

AZK,

Buy a sweet shawl collar tuxedo. Once you own a nice tux, you find enough reasons to wear it, because wearing a tux rules.

TT may chime in here to let everyone know that belts w/ tuxes are the new trend.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

I think nothing looks worse than the vest + tie.

Seriously. Its a tux...wear a bow tie for the love, its classic.

I agree the cumberbun is awkward but as mentioned, if you keep your jacket on, it looks good.

Also, I bought reasonable tux after going to a few frat/sorority formals (dont hate) and have loved the investment. Renting sucks b/c its a hassle, more expensive after a few uses and fits worse.

AZK: Im in Dental school so we have dental prom and also our campus wide formal so thats twice a year minimum i use it...Does your med school have similar?

-JP

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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AZK,

Buy a sweet shawl collar tuxedo. Once you own a nice tux, you find enough reasons to wear it, because wearing a tux rules.

TT may chime in here to let everyone know that belts w/ tuxes are the new trend.

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I have a really nice tailored tux that I can wear to special occasions, and the jacket, and in rare occasions the pants can be worn with other clothes to less formal events, ie:

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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I think I remember seeing him wearing white suspenders when he is sitting at the table. Is it also customary to not wear an undershirt with dress shirts? I sweat like a pig so I've always worn one, also most of my shirts were bought pre-poker so the fabric is pretty thin.

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Most people wear undershirts. Both to hide body hair and to prevent sweat from ruining the shirt. But others think that undershirts are unnecessary. If you're an undershirt guy, just wear one with your tux.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...ents/Waist.htm

OP hasn't mentioned shoes yet. The most formal is supposedly the opera pump. But I think a lot of men have issues with wearing a shoe that has a giant bow on it. Thus, most men choose the patent leather plain toe oxford. I say go for the pump, though.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...s/Footwear.htm

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

French cuffs are definitely the sexy way to go for the shirt; get a real shirt with french cuffs and stud holes instead of buttons. If you're wearing a bowtie, get a real one and learn how to tie it.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...ents/Waist.htm

OP hasn't mentioned shoes yet. The most formal is supposedly the opera pump. But I think a lot of men have issues with wearing a shoe that has a giant bow on it. Thus, most men choose the patent leather plain toe oxford. I say go for the pump, though.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...s/Footwear.htm

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This reminds me of a thread I was wondering if I should start on shoes. They say good ones can last for decades. I tend to get pretty crummy ones, so of course they don't last long. So I'm probably losing money, plus not getting as good a shoe while doing it.

Does anyone here have custom shoes made? If so, can you recommend a maker? I'm in Orange County, California, so someone here or in L.A. I suppose would be ideal. But I can't spend a grand on a pair of shoes, even custom. Can I get custom shoes that are less spendy but still a great investment I'll be happy with?

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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I think I remember seeing him wearing white suspenders when he is sitting at the table. Is it also customary to not wear an undershirt with dress shirts? I sweat like a pig so I've always worn one, also most of my shirts were bought pre-poker so the fabric is pretty thin.

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Most people wear undershirts. Both to hide body hair and to prevent sweat from ruining the shirt. But others think that undershirts are unnecessary. If you're an undershirt guy, just wear one with your tux.

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A drycleaner told me that the most common stain guys come in with is green armpits from using cologne there.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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French cuffs are definitely the sexy way to go for the shirt; get a real shirt with french cuffs and stud holes instead of buttons. If you're wearing a bowtie, get a real one and learn how to tie it.

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Yes, yes, yes. Tying your own bowtie is definitely worth the effort.

I'm a little older than the average here, but I still think the cummerbund is the way to go. The tux is a classic look, stick to the basics.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

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http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...ents/Waist.htm

OP hasn't mentioned shoes yet. The most formal is supposedly the opera pump. But I think a lot of men have issues with wearing a shoe that has a giant bow on it. Thus, most men choose the patent leather plain toe oxford. I say go for the pump, though.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...s/Footwear.htm

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This reminds me of a thread I was wondering if I should start on shoes. They say good ones can last for decades. I tend to get pretty crummy ones, so of course they don't last long. So I'm probably losing money, plus not getting as good a shoe while doing it.

Does anyone here have custom shoes made? If so, can you recommend a maker? I'm in Orange County, California, so someone here or in L.A. I suppose would be ideal. But I can't spend a grand on a pair of shoes, even custom. Can I get custom shoes that are less spendy but still a great investment I'll be happy with?

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Depends on how much you're willing to spend. I've never heard of custom shoes for under $1000. All the "name" manufactures who do custom charge about twice that.

Here's a good summary of ready to wear shoes:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/T...seyOnShoes.htm

Summary: the cheapest you can get for "good" shoes is Allen Edmonds at about $300 each. I have a pair that I bought about 7 years ago that still look great (I've had them resoled twice, though). Next step above that is Alden at about $400. Then you get to the more expensive, foreign brands. Crockett & Jones is pretty well respected and you can get them cheap at http://plal.com/crockett.htm (the prices are in Malaysian dollars, the exchange rate is 3.50 = 1 US dollar, so the "bench grade" shoes start at about $428 and the other line starts at $342.

Here's a thread about custom shoemakers:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=49889

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Thanks!

You know, I read about getting custom shoes for like 500, but that was probably ten years ago, and I guess maybe more of a best-case scenario than I had hoped.

Can you tell me why Alden is a "next step above" Allen Edmonds? I mean, if I'm going to pay $300, I might as well pay $400 unless the difference in quality is negligible or I hate the style on the more expensive shoe.

What I'd really like is just a plain-toe black oxford that can go with anything from business to formal, and then if I like what I get, maybe add another pair in later.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

There was a good thread comparing Alden and AE:

http://askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/sho...n+edmonds+alden

No real consensus on why (or even if) Alden is actually better or just perceived as better.

BTW, looks like you'd be comparing these two:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pro...mp;occasion=189

http://www.aldenshoes.com/DrawOneShoe.asp?CategoryID=37

I have the perforated cap toe of version of the AE (which they no longer make) and it still looks really good after 6-7 years. In comparison, I have a 3 year old Johnston & Murphy wingtip that no longer holds a shine.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

Why would you not wear the comberbund? It's like getting a hug the entire time you're playing dress up.

Re: Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?
 

If I were to buy a tuxedo, how much should I drop on this thing?