Men's cufflinks

Most men are afraid of cufflinks because they don't know how to wear them correctly. Even if you know how to put on a pair of T-Bar cufflinks, chain cufflinks or fixed barbells are confusing. The times when the valet would have done it for you are over, so you have to learn everything yourself. Therefore, we have created this article showing you how to choose, dress and wear men's cufflinks to make you feel more confident.

History

Cufflinks have gained popularity since the seventeenth century. They are created by people who want a more sophisticated accessory in their clothes than buttons. In the past, men created cufflinks by attaching gold and silver buttons to a small chain and then pulling it through the opening of the cuff.

Victor Mayer design cufflinks 1930s

Over time, cufflinks began to be used by the most sophisticated men. Gentlemen who wore tuxedos and other formal wear often wore decorative cufflinks that boggle their imagination. Some of the more popular types of cufflinks are made from stones, precious metals, and various types of fabrics. The Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s opened the door for more cufflinks to be made. The simple chains used in the past have been replaced by rods and clasps that are easier to close. Shirt designers were so intrigued by the cufflinks and immediately took advantage of their popularity. Men's formal shirts began to be made only for cufflinks.

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Then, in the nineteenth century, more and more businessmen from various social classes succumbed to the popularity of cufflinks and began to wear them with everyday attire, as opposed to the accepted formal wardrobe.

How to wear cufflinks

In fact, men's cufflinks are very easy to dress up. All you need is a shirt designed for cufflinks and the cufflinks themselves. Despite the many mechanisms, in general they all dress the same.

Stage 1

Fold the cuff so that the ends on both sides of the cuff touch each other and the loops on the cuff line up with the loops on the shirt.

Stage 2

Pass the pin of the cufflink through the loops, making sure it goes through the loop on the cuff and shirt.

Stage 3

Fasten the cufflink depending on its mechanism

Types of cufflinks

There are dozens of variations of the hinged cufflink and several mechanical alternatives. Here are some of the more common types of cufflinks.

T-Bar Clip

T-Bar Clip Cufflinks

This is the most popular mechanism today. 95% of cufflinks are made with this mechanism. But the reason for the popularity is not elegance and beauty, but cheapness and simplicity. Even a jeweler can buy in bulk such mechanisms and add any shape and decoration to them.

The disadvantage of the T- is that you can see the back of the cufflink, which is not as decorative as the front and looks cheap.

The only reason we wear cufflinks is to look good, and cufflinks are because of the elegance and style of our suit and our personality. That's why I love the T-Bars very much, they are easy to put on and they look good, but still they are not my favorite mechanism.

Fixed Bar

This is how the Fixed Bar cufflinks look elegant.

My favorite style is a fixed panel with decorative elements on both sides. I prefer these cufflinks because they are easy to put on, decorative, elegant and have no moving parts so they won't break and will last forever.

Chain cufflink

Chain Cufflink Cufflinks

As the name suggests, this type of cufflink is attached to a chain that connects decorative elements. They are difficult to put on, so you have to have a lot of skill and diligence.

Double sided enamel

Double Sided Enamel Mechanism Cufflinks

They are bilateral, i.e. the same in front and back. Usually enameled in silver or gold. Unfortunately, they are very difficult to put on due to the size.

Cufflink materials

Cufflinks can be made from almost anything from gemstones to animal bones / tusks. Gold, silver and platinum are clear favorites, especially for cufflinks.

Magnificent cufflinks with amber

Other Popular Materials:

• Carbon fiber is a durable, modern material with a smooth silver finish that is easy to color during production. A very popular material for metal cufflinks, especially in modern designs.
• Crystal is a versatile choice for sparkling cufflinks, available in almost any color, shape and size.
• Enamel is a popular material for adding a colored or black sheen to a metal surface, made of molten powdered glass. It creates a smooth, shiny surface and is fairly durable, although it can chip when hitting a hard surface.
• Glass is versatile and affordable, with many color options. Colored glass is often worn with everyday wardrobe, but it varies greatly depending on the design.
• Bronze is an alloy of copper, zinc and tin, which is a dark glossy metal.
• Mother of Pearl is a pale, glossy material derived from sea shells. This is the same material used to make high quality shirt buttons, so cufflinks made from it can look a lot like shirt buttons. Usually used on cufflinks for formal and semi-formal outfits.
• Onyx is a crystalline form of quartz, available in many shades including white, purple, blue, and black. Often used as black material in formal men's cufflinks.
• Gems – everything from diamonds, rubies and emeralds to citrine and opal. Obviously, this is an upscale option for any style, from austere and simple to downright casual.
• Rose gold is an alloy of gold and copper, which is a reddish metal.
• Silk is a common option for cufflinks and lace-up ties. Less formal than metal and stone.
• Stainless steel is a simple, practical and reliable option for business and casual wear.
• Sterling silver is bright and reflective, with a higher luster than stainless steel or carbon fiber.
• Titanium is a strong, durable option with a slight gray gloss. More discreet than stainless steel or sterling silver. Due to its durability, it is popular for engraved cufflinks.

Basic rules for wearing cufflinks

The wearer of cufflinks is able to express awareness of the nuances of style, an understanding of more formal or traditional clothing, or simply a desire to stand out from the crowd. Whatever statement you make with your cufflinks, it's important that such a bold statement is made right. Let's start with the shirt.

The shirt should be with French cuffs

Never wear cufflinks with shirts or blouses with only one hole and one button at the cuffs!

Cufflink cuffs should have holes on each side, not one hole and button (except for tuxedo shirts, which have a button and an attached loop). Cufflinks are traditionally worn on French cuffs, also known as double cuffs. Double cuffs feature extra fabric at the end of the sleeve, creating a more flared look that accentuates the cufflinks.

Cufflinks should be worn with a suit or jacket

Suit jacket highlights cufflinks

Some modern wearers wear cufflinks without a jacket. This practice carries no fashion statement and also diminishes the attention that cufflinks will receive if accentuated by the sleeve of a jacket.

Cufflinks: color, material and style

Great when cufflinks are combined with any accessory

A general rule of thumb is to match the color of your cufflinks with another item in your suit, be it a strap, shirt, tie, or jacket. For formal occasions, preference is given to the color combination of a jacket and cufflinks.

When to wear cufflinks

Cufflinks are a formal and semi-formal alternative to buttons. If you are wearing a suit with a white or black tie, it will certainly have room for cufflinks.

But, the cufflink is worn not only with a formal suit. From the white business shirt to the colorful and casual options, it is created and supplied with French cuffs or single cuffs that have holes on each side instead of a button. In addition, tailors can easily convert any shirt with a basic arrangement of buttons and loops into one that accepts cufflinks by simply removing the button and inserting a small buttonhole instead.

This means you can, if you like, wear the cufflinks with your work or other everyday wardrobe. And yes, some people do it – don't underestimate the modern hipster's love of mixing high fashion with everyday life.
Practically speaking, most men can wear cufflinks on their robots and in relatively formal social settings. This will add sophistication to the look that ordinary buttons are not capable of.

Where to buy cufflinks

Buying cufflinks, especially if you want to make them part of your regular wardrobe, is important. While they are becoming more popular every day, you still can't walk into a menswear store and immediately pick the perfect pair of cufflinks to suit your needs.

Buying cufflinks will in many cases mean going to a specialty menswear store that has a lot to choose from. If you're looking for something special, you will need a variety that most department stores simply cannot offer.

Specialty stores may not always provide a sufficient selection of cufflinks

Another option is if the purchase takes place online. Unlike shirts, pants, and suits, cufflinks will not fit badly or snuggle up where needed. If you're happy with the look and price, buying online is an easy way to get what you want.

Finally

Cufflinks are not your usual fashion accessories. They are one step above the utilitarian button. Cufflinks represent a more graceful era in which beauty of clothing prevails over practicality. This anachronistic quality makes cufflinks a bold fashion statement among modern men.

There are no hard and fast rules for using cufflinks. Wear them whenever and wherever you want. The only limitation is the collection of suitable shirts and, of course, the budget.