If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be reaching for a cummerbund on a regular Tuesday, I would have probably rolled my eyes. But alas, the waist-cinching accessory—long associated with black-tie attire and, quite frankly, high school prom photo shoots—has staged a full fashion comeback this season. I'd even go so far as to say it's becoming the hot-ticket trend to try. It first showed up on a select few fall/winter 2026 runways, including Valentino and Celine menswear, before ultimately making its way onto the street style scene this fashion month in New York and Paris and, yes, into my closet.
What makes the cummerbund so appealing right now is how effortlessly it solves the "third piece" question. Like its trend predecessors, the scarf belt and chain belt, the cummerbund is the perfect piece to define a waist, add texture, and turn an otherwise simplistic outfit—like a button-down and jeans or a tee and trousers—into a deliberate look. As someone who loves to both spot an early trend and test it out myself, I knew this was one I needed to experiment with IRL. I bought the first belt I could find available this summer (a sub-$50 Zara one that's since sold out in multiple colors) and spent the past few weeks road-testing it, from the office to fashion week. I've landed on five ways that feel wearable and decidedly not costumey in real life. Consider this your sign to test out the look too.
Ahead, see where the trend appeared on the runway, glean my styling ideas, and shop the cummerbunds on the market.
The Runway Looks
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)It may seem like the cummerbund is the styling element that's suddenly everywhere, but looking at the past few seasons of runways, it's clear that the designer collections have been building up to this moment. Celine's fall 2026 menswear collection was one of the first places I saw the trend emerge, and I immediately took note of the fresh color combinations and dressed-down feel that designer Michael Rider gave the tuxedo piece. But the momentum carried into the spring/summer 2027 shows, too, where we saw the piece completely surge in popularity. In New York, independent designers such as Conner Ives, Kallmeyer, and Heirlome each took their own turn interpreting the tuxedo-dressing motif and providing sufficient proof that the trend has range well beyond the black-tie circuit. Seen together, these two seasons of shows make a compelling case that the cummerbund is the new way to shape a waist and give an outfit a forward, polished feel.
How I'm Styling a Cummerbund
Wearing: Still Here T-Shirt; Zara Sash Belt ($46); Aritzia Effortless Pants in Linen ($148); Le Seul Camellia Flats ($695); Side Eye 1225 Madison Ave Sunglasses ($290); vintage Celine clutch via The Vintage Marché (Image credit: @anna__laplaca)What you'll need: Colored T-shirt + cummerbund + relaxed trousers + court shoes + slim clutch bag
Madewell The Perfect Crewneck Tee in Allday Jersey Aritzia The Effortless Pant Le Seul Camellia Flats Side Eye 1225 Madison Ave Wearing: Brochu Walker The Everyday Shirt ($248); Zara Sash Belt ($46); Argent Straight-Leg Trousers ($275); Loro Piana Rebecca Flats ($975); Coach Pendant Necklace ($145); DeMellier New York Tote ($790) (Image credit: @anna__laplaca)What you'll need: Striped button-down shirt + satin cummerbund + black trousers + pendant necklace + flats
Brochu Walker The Everyday Shirt Argent Straight Leg Trouser in Seasonless Wool Demellier New York Tote Loro Piana Rebeca Flats Coach Envelope Pendant Long Necklace Wearing: The Anteros Lief Shirt ($275); Zara Sash Belt ($46); Madewell Relaxed Bootcut Jeans ($148); Loeffler Randall Neive Pumps ($210); The Row Agnes 12 Bag ($4400) (Image credit: @anna__laplaca)What you'll need: White button-down shirt + satin cummerbund + mid-blue jeans + pumps
The Anteros Lief Madewell Relaxed Bootcut Jeans The Row Agnes 12 Bag Loeffler Randall Neive Crocodile Leather Low Pump Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses Wearing: J.Crew Vintage Jersey Classic-Fit Crewneck T-Shirt ($40); Zara Sash Belt ($46); Jenny Bird Mega Nico Earrings ($178); Prada heels (Image credit: @anna__laplaca)What you'll need: White T-shirt + silk skirt + cummerbund + slingbacks + drop earrings
J.Crew Vintage Jersey Classic-Fit Crewneck T-Shirt Reformation Mccall Handkerchief Hem Silk Skirt Prada Modellerie Pointed Toe Slingback Pump JENNY BIRD Mega Nico Earrings Wearing: vintage blazer; Zara Sash Belt ($46); Gimaguas Lula Trousers ($207) (Image credit: @anna__laplaca)What you'll need: Double-breasted blazer + cummerbund + cropped trousers + kitten heels
ZARA Oversize Blazer With Shoulder Pads Lauren Ralph Lauren Pinstripe Double-Breasted Twill Blazer Gimaguas Lula Trousers Open Edit Tanner Kitten Heel Sandal