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Revision as of 16:49, 13 July 2006 by Kafziel (talk | contribs) (merged content from cummerband)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with black tie. The cummerbund was first adopted by British military officers in colonial India and later spread to civilian use.
The name comes from the Persian for waist restraint (kumar "waist" and band "to close") and was borrowed into English from the Hindi word meaning "loinband" in 1616.
Cummerbunds should be worn with the openings of the pleats facing up to hold ticket stubs (e.g., coat check, theater tickets, etc.).
Cummerbands
A cummerband is an accessory to the dress uniform used extensively in the Indian Army, a holdover from the original use by the British military. It is generally worn during ceremonial parades and dinners. Similar to the cummerbund, it is a long strip of cloth (usually based on the regimental colours) which is tightly worn around a soldier's waist. Unlike the standard cummerbund, a leather belt is generally worn on top of this cloth piece.
Cummerbunds in Diving
Cummerbund is also an informal word used in SCUBA to mean a wide waistband on a diving stability jacket—Buoyancy Control Device—designed to provide more comfort to the user than a standard waistband and usually made of a stout fabric backed with velcro fastenings.
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