Cummerbunds

Waistcoats may be > to cummerbunds but they are not interchangeable with the same outfit. A Jacket of a dinnersuit should be matched with its trousers and waistcoat, the cut is slightly different (three piece jacket buttons higher than its same style two piece equivalent) and the material of the jacket (lapels and the rest) should match the materials used for the trousers and waistcoat (if three piece), as it is part of a set. Due to the jackets cut a three piece suit used as a two piece with a cummerbund will look a little off, the same way a two piece suit with a waistcoat looks odd even if the materials are the same. Cummerbunds should match the bow tie and obviously shouldn't be used in combination with a standard tie.

So unless you have a two piece and a three piece to choose from or you are looking to buy a new suit, your decision is made up for you. Wear what you have or buy a new suit, don't mix and match two parts of a three piece suit with a cummerbund or a two piece suit with a waistcoat. Most people wont pick up on it and if it is an event where dressing up is just part of the fun, it doesn't matter but if the event requires dressing up, i would avoid any fashion faux pas for the sake of fitting in.
 
Avenged7Fold said:
Waistcoats may be > to cummerbunds but they are not interchangeable with the same outfit.
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They aren't "better" than Cummerbunds on the etiquette scale. And as for not being interchangeable? Of course they are, you simply have a Waistcoat and Cummerbund made by your tailor at the same time so that they both match the suit and accessories. If the tailor is good enough, the cut will be right.

You're right in that you don't just wear a random waistcoat with a two piece though.
 
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By waistcoats > cummerbunds i was going on the personal preference of people in the thread and general thoughts of current fashions rather than etiquette. Waistcoats in terms of etiquette can be worn for work for a work suit, where as a cummerbund is really only worn on black tie or white tie, so i agree with you on that sense.

Traditionally the shape of the suit jacket for a waistcoat normally ends higher up for a shorter 'V' compared with a two piece suit + cummerbund. Though there is a lot of variation due to trends over the years, so not many people pick up on it and assume it to be just a variation in style when they see a jacket buttoning that high up/low down, if you take three piece and two piece suits of the same style and era and not a cheapo job from M&S you can see the difference in teh suit jacket. The trousers are the same though.

Popular culture of today means you can walk into a store, buy a matching suit and trousers and call it a two piece or get the waistcoat as well and call it a three piece but if you went to Savile Row and asked for a three piece, a tailor would bring out examples of jacket shapes with a 'V' starting from higher up the body first unless you stated otherwise. I use to have dinner jackets tailored for wedding season every year when i was younger and corrected on what shape a suit should be by the gentlemen fitting me as i didnt like the traditional cut of a three piece over a two piece but preferred the waistcoat over a cummerbund. Obviously the choice was always up to me but having felt a bit silly and out of place, i just went with his suggestion.
 
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Ah well now we're talking at odds slightly, my bad as I never mentioned that I've never had a peaked lapel Dinner suit. My formal wear is a shawl collar, so with the fit/cut being ever so slightly different maybe it's easier for the tailor to fit a waistcoat and a cummerbund in the same ensemble? Obviously the defined V is still the centre piece.
 
I do suggest for anyone that has a slight belly and wants to wear a cummerbund to take up boxing twice to three times a week. You can really slim down within a couple of months if trying as hard as possible. And it's a good self defence for a pub fight if someone thinks your scrawny and just a lanky **** (that last bit was speaking from personal experience lol)
 
Cummerbunds are worn because they serve a purpose - they keep the waist area tidy, shorten the white shirt area, balance with the bow tie and create the illusion of a longer leg.

If the dress code is black tie, wear a cummerbund, a waistcoat or look like a tit.

Has to match the suit though, and I can't envision a situation where it would be desirable away from black tie.
 
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