How to add a touch of personality and style beyond tuxedos and suits?
I remember the first time my grandfather handed me a pair of cufflinks. They were heavy, made of burnished silver, and felt incredibly important in my clumsy child hands. “These make a gentleman,” he’d said, and though I didn’t know what that meant then, the sense of power and polish has stuck with me. Cufflinks tend to be associated with formal wear, but as a New York blogger who loves both sophistication and bending the rules, I believe they have way more mileage than just black-tie events.
Cufflinks – Not Just for the Boardroom
- What are cufflinks? Small, usually decorative fasteners designed to secure shirt cuffs with French cuffs (also called double cuffs). These cuffs are extra long and fold over, with holes on each side instead of buttons.
- A brief history: Cufflinks have been around in various forms since the 17th century but really took off in style around the Industrial Revolution when mass-produced shirts with cuffs became the norm.
- Why wear them? Cufflinks are the perfect little detail – a pop of personality and style. They elevate an outfit, communicate something about your tastes, and make you feel just a little more pulled together.
Related: How to wash your hair deeply by avoiding mistakes
Breaking the Cufflink Mold
Let’s be honest – not every day is a formal event. Here’s how to work those cufflinks into more relaxed looks:
- The Smart Casual Clincher: Swap out your usual button-down with a French cuff one. Go for a chambray or a subtle striped option, add well-fitted chinos or dark denim, and a blazer. Simple silver or knot cufflinks add just that touch of ‘put-together’ without being stuffy.
- Visual: A man with a denim shirt, sleeves rolled slightly, wearing simple knot cufflinks.
- Flannels and Flash: Cooler weather is all about flannel shirts. Take your favorite, pair it with jeans, and add a fun pop – novelty cufflinks (think vintage maps, tiny compasses, or maybe your favorite superhero logo!). This is self-expression at its best.
- Visual: A pair of colorful superhero cufflinks with a flannel and jeans background.
- Sweater Weather Sophistication: A simple, fitted sweater over a crisp French cuff shirt is clean and classic. Pair it with gemstone or textured cufflinks that subtly peek out for a touch of luxury without being over-the-top.
- Visual: The wrist of a person in a sweater, showcasing elegant textured cufflinks.
Cufflink FAQs
- Can you wear cufflinks with any shirt? Nope! You need French cuffs (those longer ones with holes on both sides).
- How do you put on cufflinks? There are a few types, but the most common are bullet backs (toggle closure) and whale backs (straight post with a flat swiveling back). You thread the post through aligned cuff holes and secure the closure.
- Visual: Diagram or short video showing how to put on the two main cufflink types.
- Any no-nos? Clashing with your outfit is a misstep, and super ornate cufflinks with a busy shirt could be overkill. When in doubt, keep it simpler.
My Tips
- Start simple: Silver, gold, or gemstone cufflinks are timeless and versatile.
- Own your style: Cufflinks should reflect you, so have some fun ones alongside the classics.
- Shop wisely: Quality cufflinks that you love are a good investment. Places like estate sales are full of hidden gems!
- Don’t be scared: Cufflinks are meant to be worn– sport them with confidence!
Conclusion
Cufflinks are the spice of a well-dressed life. Don’t relegate them to the jewelry box for only the fanciest occasions. Add that extra dash of personality to your daily looks. Remember, as my grandfather hinted at, the secret to rocking cufflinks isn’t so much about the accessory, but the attitude you wear with it.
Let me know how you experiment!
