Cummerbunds in the Victorian Era?

[MisterGrey]

My college is holding its end of the year Spring Fling in two weeks, and this year's theme is Victorian Era Paris, with the art department providing giant replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the windmill of the Moulin Rouge. I'm attempting to hack together a costume with some of the things I've got available, while at the same time not making it painfully obvious that this is a costume that I hacked together with what I had available. My one definite is a black velvet dinner jacket. The problem I'm running into is my "waist accessory." I've got a black suit vest that would go nicely with a pair of loud-ish bagging gray check pants, but because of the Moulin Rouge influence I'm supposing that other attendees will be leaning towards more exaggerated period attire. I could theoretically track down a red or slate gray vest but I've had to take time off of work lately to accommodate my school schedule and for illness, so I'd like to save my money for a while.

As an alternative, I've got two cummerbunds-- one standard red, one midnight blue, each with matching bowties. However, I'm not certain that this would be period appropriate. Were cummerbunds worn by-- well, anyone?-- during the Victorian era, and more importantly, by anyone in France?

Pictures, of course, will be forthcoming as I assemble my final product.

 

[Geesie]

AFAIK, the cummerbund wasn't used in evening dress in the Victorian era. However, it is also the case that tuxedos were not worn through most of the Victorian era.

 

[dhermann1]

Frock coat

Yeah, I think you really need a frock coat to be accurately Victorian. The best you could do would be to fudge and say you were being Edwardian, which is almost Victorian. And I think that by that era (1902 to 1910) you could get away with what you're describing. Then again, a lot of people will probably be wildly more inauthentic than what you're contemplating.
I think you could get away with the vest. You could call it the Brett Maverick look.

 

[MisterGrey]

So with the application of a lot of imagination (and some veeeery cheap eBay auctions), I've assembled my final product... opinions...?

The "Gentleman"--

Mr. Hyde--

 

[Tomasso]

the cummerbund wasn't used in evening dress in the Victorian era.

True, it was more of a military thing, think sash.

 

[metropd]

In the 1830's and 40's cummerbunds were worn with a waistcoat for evening dress. They could of been waist sashes.

 

[Evan Everhart]

Victorian Perfectionist Rant...I know, I know; Shut up! Right?

So with the application of a lot of imagination (and some veeeery cheap eBay auctions), I've assembled my final product... opinions...?

The "Gentleman"--

Mr. Hyde--

Sir, I am a self employed image consultant and I specialize in Victorian and Edwardian clothing.

If I may... To begin with, no gentleman would have been caught dead in a coloured body shirt while wearing city clothes or anything approaching even the limpid semi-formality of a suit as opposed to a frock outfit or morning coat and outfit. Pin-striped coats were NEVER worn and still should not be without matching trousers. Formal striped trousers (Much different from pin-striped trousers) are worn with both a morning coat and a frock coat, that or formal checked trousers or trousers which match their coat and or vest depending upon the items in question. the knot which you've tied looks like a whole Windsor which was simply not that common a knot at that time more likely a thickly padded four in hand or perhaps a half Windsor? Better yet, a bow-tie or cravat of some sort! The coat would not have had metal buttons and if it were a lounge suit, then, it would have had horn buttons but otherwise, it would have had selvage covered buttons unless it belonged to a uniform (in which case it would have metal buttons and still would not be worn together with the rest of the ensemble unless you were portraying someone down on their luck...The trousers lack of upper leg crease is laudable however in accuracy as that did not really begin until the later Edwardian era though, the trousers would have fit instead of draped. Draping, thanks to the Schock (I believe that's how its spelled anyhow, the Prince of Wales' tailor during the twenties - thirties whichever) really is responsible for the modern tailor's regrettable habit of draping instead of fitting clothing which makes it so damnably hard to get a frock coat or morning coat or even trousers for that matter made or fitted properly - Where they DON'T look Sloppy and baggy and SLOUCHY! Hahahaa! I Love your pipe however! If you're interested, it's really quite reasonable to acquire all of the necessary components with time and a little perseverance. It's taken me a few years and I am still working to completely perfect my various Victorian ensembles and well, wardrobe but, it is VERY rewarding, in fact, just as rewarding as assembling my "Golden Era" wardrobe has been! Basically, switch for a multi-stripe trouser in gray, black and white, some sort of cap toed shoe, probably black, perhaps some spats from Tallarida, and an appropriate shirt and vest and the jacket is certainly the most negotiable item out of the whole (just not that particular jacket! Bravo on your Victorian Voyage however!)