Formalwear staples like bowties, dinner jackets, and cummerbunds look great on everyone.

This season, black tie dressing is going mainstream. There's something uniquely thrilling about donning an intricately designed look, specifically created to look polished and sophisticated. With activewear and casual looks more popular than ever, a hint of glamour may be precisely what we need.&nbsp;
Although cummerbunds are often paired with single-breasted dinner jackets, they originate in colonial India, where sepoys (Indian soldiers) of the British Indian Army would wear kamarbands. Eventually, British military officers picked up on the piece as an alternative to waistcoats before civilians began sporting them. Ever since, European and North American societies have favored the piece for Western black-tie dressing.
However, the cummerbund isn't just exclusive to formal occasions. From its further impact on armies globally to cotton pieces worn by athletes participating in gymnastics, scuba diving, and combat sports, the accessory is widespread and versatile. Even in womenswear, it would occasionally be paired solely with evening dresses until now.

Dior Fall/Winter 2026. Getty Images.

Balmain Fall/Winter 2026. Getty Images.

Maison Margiela Fall/Winter 2026, Shanghai Fashion Week. Courtesy of Maison Margiela.

Khaite Fall/Winter 2026. Courtesy of Khaite.

Calvin Klein Fall/Winter 2026. Courtesy of Calvin Klein.

Jacquemus Fall/Winter 2026. Courtesy of Jacquemus.

These past few seasons, collections had their fair share of mixing tuxedo-esque styles into their shows. From Jonathan Anderson's concept of a walk through a park becoming a performance for Dior to Balmain's reawakening surrounding tailoring under Antonin Tron's debut, the black-tie look—that was stuck at a cocktail reception—was able to call a cab and head towards fashion freedom during Fall/Winter 2026.
Labels like Maison Margiela, Khaite, Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Jacquemus also noted the power of tuxedo style for the season. However, as Alessandro Michele was growing into his own at Valentino, he focused on a historical yet disappearing red carpet staple for his collections: The cummerbund.
Instead of hiding the transition piece under a tuxedo jacket, he decided to make it the main point of the outfit. Sequined tops, minidresses, and skinny jeans became the focal point for his Fall/Winter 2026 collection. Although talk about the decision was being favored, truly no one knew what the following season had in store for the traditional evening look.
When Michael Rider, Celine's creative director, presented the brand's Men's Spring/Summer 2027 collection during Paris Fashion Week, formalwear was reimagined. By simply taking plum and bold pink cummerbunds and pairing them with neutral ensembles, the piece instantly became the talk of the town.

Celine Men's Spring/Summer 2027. Courtesy of Celine.

What was seen as a "fashion risk" for men on the red carpet turned into an obsession that is slowly making its way back into the public eye. Stars like Sarah Paulson and Zendaya have sported the cummerbund (in some form) instead of opting for a classic belt. But the tuxedo look shouldn't be feared, rather embraced.
Zeigiest favorites like Bad Bunny, Hudson Williams, and Keke Palmer have already rocked the black-tie look with their distinctive flair. Not only do they join celebrities like Tom Ford, Janelle Monae, Terry Crews, and Levante in the style, but allow fashion fanatics to reconsider how formalwear can be worn.
Having the final outfit check jitters? Start slow with a piece such as a tie, dress shoes, or your favorite pair of slacks. Once you have felt eveningwear outside of your preconceived notion, you will be able to build up the pieces and eventually rock staples like the cummerbund. Patience is key, but have fun with it.
If there's anything to take away from tuxedo dressing, it is meant to make you feel confident. So, take that energy, mix-and-match black tie essentials with your current closet rotation, and dive into this stylish phenomenon.

Terry Crews and Janelle Monáe. Getty Images.

Hudson Williams at the 2026 Oscars. Getty Images.

Levante attending the Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2026 show. Getty Images.

Tom Ford. Getty Images.

Keke Palmer wearing Tom Ford & Sergio Hudson. Getty Images.

Bad Bunny at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Getty Images.

Photographed by Bohdan Bohdanov for L'OFFICIEL USA May 2025 Issue.

Ditch The Sweats, Tuxedo Dressing Is Here To Stay

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Ditch The Sweats, Tuxedo Dressing Is Here To Stay

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