Crazy cummerbund!

[AlanC]

One never knows what will turn up in the random bin at the thrift store. Today was the weirdest cummerbund I've ever seen. A silk paisley brocade from S. Fisher of Burlington Arcade cut to look like the bottom of a waistcoat!

Has anyone ever seen anything like it, and just how would you wear such a thing?

 

[Jovan]

Looks as if someone severed the bottom of a waistcoat. I don't see how it would be useful, myself. [huh]

 

[AlanC]

Here's a somewhat better pic:

 

[Marty M.]

You could catch a cold wearing that.

Never seen anything like it. It's like the complete opposite of the infamous "Dickie" :eusa_doh:
Marty

 

[Feraud]

That could be from the 50's. I recall seeing a catalog page that featured a man wearing a pink shawl collar tux with a cummerbund like that.
It looked amazing!
Either Marc Chevalier or Baron Kurtz posted the catalog picture.

 

[Dashing1]

Alan--

The item is referred to as a "cummervest." Check the link below...

http://www.blacktieguide.com/History/1950s/1954_05_Esq_p34.gif

 

[AlanC]

Fantastic--thanks!

 

[Tomasso]

Alan--

The item is referred to as a "cummervest." Check the link below...

http://www.blacktieguide.com/History/1950s/1954_05_Esq_p34.gif

Nice get. :eusa_clap

 

[Orgetorix]

Hey, Alan, you can give it to your dad for Father's Day!

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

I've seen those before. :/ I wouldn't wear it. I think it looks too queer. Waistcoats are much better, in my opinion.

 

[Jovan]

Agreed there.

 

[AlanC]

Hey, Alan, you can give it to your dad for Father's Day!

Ha ha--clearly you don't know my father! He would be much more interested in a new pair of Dickie's overalls. Good man, doesn't care about clothes.

Well, would I wear it? Hmmm. I can't say I'd rule it out. I mean, considering the crazy things people wear with semi-formal these days, that's downright tame. Plus there clearly is 50+ year precedent for it and it comes from an old Burlington Arcade firm. That's got to count for something. So...

 

[Jovan]

Tell me about it. Some of the pictures my friends who are still in high school have been bringing back from prom... outright tacky suits and accessories going on. It seems the thinking is now, "If we put anything satin on any coat, it's formal wear."

 

[ArrowCollarMan]

"If we put anything satin on any coat, it's formal wear."

Heh, I guess that is sort of true. I kinda like the variety of tuxedos they have these days. Before, it was, virtually, one type of tuxedo for all men. It was like a uniform. They only thing I find tacky are when people wear their pants too low and there is a gap between the pants and the vest.

 

[Jovan]

Well, I still can't wrap my head around the numerous Matrix-extra and notched lapel coats. :-/ To say nothing of the awful NECKTIE and waistcoat sets. Or the gaudy shoes.

 

[DanielJones]

Very funky looking.

Cheers!

Dan