Wearing of the Cummerbund per AR 670-1

[Rogerson785]

While we are on the topic of what is acceptable to wear at balls or not. Here is an interesting fact that some people may not know. In AR 670-1, page 162, the wear of the cummerbund is wrong, it states that the pleats will be facing down; when in fact the purpose of the cummerbund was to, catch loose breadcrumbs or bits of food, and to hold your dinner or theater tickets. While stationed at the Pentagon in 1993 I wrote a proposal to the uniform branch and it still has never been changed.

27–11. Cummerbunds
a. Cummerbund, black, female and male.
(1) Type. The cummerbund is an optional purchase item.
(2) Description. The cummerbund is black, made of a commercial design, in silk or satin material, with four or five pleats running the entire length of the cummerbund.
(3) How worn. The cummerbund is worn with the pleats facing down. Females wear the black cummerbund with the black, blue, and white mess and evening mess uniforms; males wear it with the white and blue mess uniforms. The male bow tie and cummerbund must be made of the same material.
b. Cummerbund, white, female.
(1) Type. The cummerbund is an optional purchase item.
(2) Description. The cummerbund is white, made of a commercial design, in silk or satin material, with four or five pleats running the entire length of the cummerbund.
(3) How worn. The white cummerbund is worn with the pleats facing down. Females wear the white cummerbund with the all-white mess uniform.


http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r670_1.pdf

"One common question about cummerbunds is: do the pleats face up or down? The answer: the pleats face UP, as if they were little pockets. If you make crumbs while you eat, the cummerbund pleats should be able to catch your slovenly mess. One last note: you can wear a vest or a cummerbund, but not both. That would be gauche (that's bad)."
1 year ago
Source(s):
http://www.soyouwanna.com/SITE/SYWS/tuxe...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=c...

One common question about cummerbunds is: do the pleats face up or down? The answer: the pleats face UP, as if they were little pockets. If you make crumbs while you eat, the cummerbund pleats should be able to catch your slovenly mess. One last note: you can wear a vest or a cummerbund, but not both. That would be gauche (that's bad).

While we are used to seeing the cummerbund worn as an accessory waistband in men’s formal wear, its origins are quite different. Cummerbunds were inspired by scarves worn around men’s clothing at the waist in India, and the first cummerbunds worn by Europeans were designed for the English military during their occupation of India. The word is on loan from the Persian language, expressing its Arabic origins. Band is a verb in Persian which means to close, and kamar translates as waist. This fully translates as to enclose the waist.

The style in India, as worn by its residents, was more utilitarian than dressy. It has a pleated front, which was normally worn facing upward, creating several overlapped areas of fabric suitable for holding small items. Today in men’s black tie dress, the cummerbund may be worn either pleat up or down, since it’s merely a dressy accessory instead of a purposeful garment.

[JerseyLawyer]

Hrm. Interesting. I knew the pleats faced up, and had heard the, "They're there to hold your opera tickets" line (which I think is not really true, but it doesn't matter), but I'm surprised that the regulation has it backwards.

This is easily solved by wearing a waistcoat/vest instead. Is that an option?

[DTrain]

Interesting slip up. I was always taught to wear my cummerbund with the pleats facing upward "thats where you keep your matches (for a smoke)."

[James MacMillan]

You'r right, the pleats should face up....... but I never much liked a cumberbund much anyway - I prefer a vest. And I think a cumberbund looks out of place with a kilt.

[berserkbishop]

Ok, in reagards to the reason why a cummerbund is worn pleats up this is what I was told during my show choir days.

The name cummerbund is derived from "crummerbund" and was originally worn pleats up to catch the crums from any food that might escape down a dress shirt.

Not saying that is correct but that is what I have always been told.

BB

[Coemgen]

I've always preferred a waistcoat myself. I have to wear a cummerbund for choir performances, though.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Ah yes, AR 670-1....

I know certain parts of it WELL.

[Finn]

TB~ You & ink, me & hair... Back then it wasn't long, but I did push it.

[sharpdressedscot]

What the Cummerbund look like with the whole uniform?

[Tattoo Bradley]

TB~ You & ink, me & hair... Back then it wasn't long, but I did push it.

Yep, I had to REALLLY watch it. I was about as inked as possible while BARELY scraping under the AR 670-1 radar. A couple of years after I was out, they began allowing neck and hand tattoos (with certain limitations.) I'm not sure if they've rovoked that or not. But, it made me consider going back at weekend warrior status. The wife had other thoughts...