Black Tie Dinner

[Flavels]

I have been invited to a black tie event at the end of January. I have bought a black dinner suit, bow tie and black braces. I was going to buy a black silk cummerband but am not sure whether you should wear the cummerband with braces or not. Is it both or one of the other? Also, should I wear a waistcoat? Thank you.

[mongers123]

i would ware one or the other not both together, becouse if you take your jacket off you would look over dressed ,hop this helps

[chakka35]

The cummerbund has nothing to do with braces: it is not to keep your trousers up. It is there to give a neat visual transition between the top of your trousers and your shirt. You wear it whether you use braces or not.

No waistcoat.

[Ethel]

You really should wear the cummerbund and not the braces with traditional black tie.

[fuzzball]

i totally agree with Ethel. cumberbund only, no braces

[Oneeyedvic]

Very much depends on the formality of the event.

I go to around 20 black tie events a year - I have worn a black bow tie and matching cumberband once - all the others I wore different colour bow ties and even a white jacket (though this shouldn't be worn in this country - really only in hotter climates) with blackdress shirt and white tie,

I wouldn't wear a waistcoat, but have worn braces plenty of times - with and without cummberbands.

Go in what ever you feel comfortable in - but if you are in doubt simply wearing just a black tie is safe - all extras are trimmings (and style)

[fredpuli47]

As said, the braces are to hold up your trousers. The cummerbund is merely ornamental !.But you wear either a waistcoat or a cummerbund, not both.(It's fine not to bother with either the cummerbund or a waistcoat, but most people wear one or the other because that looks better, a bit more fancy).