A well-placed pair of cufflinks is a hallmark of sophisticated style. Often overlooked, these small yet significant accessories are just as crucial as the rest of your outfit. When worn correctly, cufflinks can add a touch of elegance and polish to an ensemble. Crafted from a variety of materials such as glass, stone, leather, metal, and precious metals, or expertly combined, cufflinks are designed specifically for shirts featuring buttonholes on both sides but no actual buttons.
While there are certain guidelines to follow when it comes to cufflinks, fear not – we’ll be providing insight into the dos and don’ts of cufflink etiquette. Whether you’re wondering about suitable shirt combinations, the difference between studs and cufflinks, or seeking advice on color coordination and material selection, this article has got you covered.
Tips on How to Style Cufflinks
To properly don cufflinks, begin by selecting a dress shirt with French cuffs. The fold of the cuff is crucial; ensure the edge closest to your fingers folds back evenly to create a neat lining. Hold the two open edges together, pressing the inside fabric against each other to form the classic ‘kiss cuff’ appearance.
Next, align the holes on the cuff to facilitate effortless insertion and ensure a smooth fold. This will also allow you to gauge the accuracy of your fold.
Once aligned, insert the cufflink and secure it according to its style – whether it’s a capsule, bullet back, chain link, or reversible design.
When donning a jacket, be mindful to leave a quarter to half an inch of shirt sleeve visible for a polished look.
What Are Cufflinks?
For centuries, studs have been a staple of men’s formal wear, adorning dress shirts with understated elegance. Originating in the 16th century, these small decorative buttons have undergone significant evolution over time, giving rise to an astonishing array of styles and designs. Despite the passage of time, studs remain one of those accessories that can effortlessly transition from classic to contemporary, refusing to succumb to the vagaries of fashion’s whims.
When to Wear Cufflinks
Tuxedos, with their classic design and timeless elegance, are often the go-to choice for a range of occasions. From black-tie events to business meetings, and even wedding receptions, they bring a sense of sophistication and refinement. Their versatility allows them to be dressed up or down, making them an excellent option for both formal and semi-formal gatherings.
↓ 10 – Cufflinks with Cuffed Shirts
The French cuffed shirt, also known as the double cuffed dress shirt, is constructed with a unique cuff design that sets it apart from its regular counterpart. Characterized by its folded and secured cuff, this style features no buttons, relying instead on cufflinks to keep everything in place. To properly fold the cuff, ensure that the holes are parallel to each other and the end edge closest to your fingers folds back to form an even line.
Once achieved, insert the cufflink and secure it, with the decorative face facing outward. With this style, you’ll exude a sense of sophistication and class on any occasion or event. When pairing a French cuffed shirt with a suit, opt for thinner fabric and avoid removing your jacket, as this style is best suited to formal wear. It’s also worth noting that this style pairs well with a variety of formal shoes styles, including those featured in our related post.
Cufflinks with Single Cuffed Shirts
The simplest and most popular type of cuff is the single cuff, which features a continuous wrap around the wrist with a single button for closure. This design offers a perfect blend of functionality, versatility, and ease of wear. The single cuff also comes in various shapes, including round, square, and angled designs. When it comes to putting on a single-cuffed shirt, simplicity is key.
Unlike double cuffs that require folding, the single cuff can be easily paired by overlapping the holes and securing with a cufflink, as demonstrated in our tutorial above.
↓ 9 – Cufflinks with a Suit
When selecting cufflinks, the primary consideration should be the dress shirt you’re pairing them with, rather than your pant or coat. While a suit is often worn to formal events or office meetings, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to choosing cufflinks. Ultimately, personal style plays a significant role in determining the right accessory for your outfit.
You can opt for classic and traditional options that complement your shirt, or go for something more statement-making to add some personality to your look. The key is to find a balance that reflects your individuality without straying too far from what’s considered ‘proper’.
Cufflinks with a Black Tuxedo
When it comes to black tie events, simplicity and elegance are paramount. This level of formality demands that your attire, including accessories like cufflinks, exude refinement. In this context, plain minimal cufflinks with gold, silver, or black inserts, such as abalone stone or dark mother of pearl, are ideal choices. Onyx or hematite can also be suitable options.
As you prepare for a Black Tie event, where a dinner suit and bowtie are de rigueur, a crisp white shirt with a French cuff is the epitome of appropriateness.
Cufflinks to a White Tie Event
When it comes to white tie events, dressing up requires an added level of sophistication. This means that your attire, including your cufflinks, needs to make a strong statement. While high-end options like Mother of Pearl can elevate your look, there are also more budget-friendly alternatives available that can achieve a similar effect.
For a truly formal appearance, a double cuff shirt is generally the way to go, as it conveys a sense of elegance and refinement that’s hard to match with a single cuff.
↓ 8 – Cufflinks with Solid Colored Shirts
When it comes to accessorizing your outfit, your personal sense of style plays a significant role. For instance, if you’re wearing a crisp white shirt, pairing it with solid silver cufflinks might not be the most effective choice, as the colors may become indistinguishable. On the other hand, opting for gold or incorporating brighter hues into your accessories can create a more striking contrast. Here are some guidelines to help you achieve a sharp look: [insert link]
Cufflinks with Stripes
When selecting cufflinks, it’s crucial to ensure they harmonize with the color of your stripes. Avoid introducing a third color that may inadvertently transform you into a jester. Instead, opt for shades that share a similar hue or undertone to create a cohesive look. While exact matches aren’t necessary, choosing colors within the same palette will effectively complement your outfit.
What Cufflinks To Wear with White Shirt
White shirts are the epitome of simplicity and elegance, making them an excellent canvas for expressing one’s personal style. The beauty lies in their versatility – they can be paired with a wide range of colors and accessories to create various looks. For a bold statement, opt for bright hues like red, green, or blue. Alternatively, keep things understated with classic black or elegant gold cufflinks.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your mood and sense of style, allowing you to effortlessly adapt your outfit to suit your personality.
Cufflinks on a Regular Shirt
When it’s not a black-tie affair, cufflinks are the perfect accessory to elevate your everyday style. You don’t need a special occasion to wear them; a simple single-cuffed or French cuffed shirt is all you need to showcase your cufflinks. The beauty of cufflinks lies in their versatility – you can choose to keep it classy and understated or go bold with quirky designs, like Batman-inspired ones or your favorite cartoon characters. With no dress code restrictions, the possibilities are endless.
Cufflinks on a Shirt With Buttons
Cufflinks are designed specifically to secure shirt cuffs without buttons. As a result, it’s neither practical nor possible to wear them on shirts with buttons. The very purpose of cufflinks is to keep the cuff in place, and shirts with buttoned cuffs already fulfill this function. Therefore, attempting to insert cufflinks into buttonholes is futile. It’s essential to respect the design intent behind these accessories and not try to force a mismatch.
↓ 7 – Unique Styled Cufflinks
For those who embody the hipster spirit, it’s essential to express it subtly yet effectively. The vast array of designs available allows you to showcase your unique style without being too obvious. To strike the perfect balance between ruggedness and sophistication, consider pairing a pair of silver savage cufflinks adorned with a skull design and fluffy black hair, complete with a headband.
This understated yet bold statement piece will give others a glimpse into your wilder side while maintaining an air of elegance.
↓ 6 – Cufflinks with a Three Piece Suit
A three-piece suit is often reserved for special occasions that demand utmost formality and attention to detail. Whether you’re dressing up for a high-stakes event or simply capturing the perfect Instagram post, your outfit will be scrutinized from head to toe. To elevate your look, consider pairing a refined double-cuff shirt with thoughtfully chosen cufflinks that reveal glimpses of your personality.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that a well-curated wardrobe can make all the difference in making a lasting impression. For instance, check out our comprehensive guide on ‘Business Casual: 18 Tips on What to Wear’ for expert advice on dressing for everyday professionalism.
↓ 5- Cufflinks on your Wedding Day
When it comes to your special day, every aspect must be meticulously planned, including your outfit. As the guest of honor, you’ll be the focal point, with all eyes on you. To ensure you make a lasting impression, opt for attire that exudes sophistication and class. Pay close attention to even the smallest details – from cufflinks to accessories – as they can greatly impact the overall aesthetic. While it’s tempting to choose playful or bold options, avoid anything too flashy or outlandish.
You want your guests to remember the celebration, not your jewelry, for all the wrong reasons.
Matching Your Cufflinks
When it comes to matching cufflinks, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, consider the overall aesthetic you’re going for and look for opportunities to tie (pun intended) your accessories together. This might mean matching your cufflinks with your coat, shoes, jewelry, lapel pin, or bow tie – essentially any piece that adds a touch of personality to your outfit. Another option is to match the color of the print on your shirt to your cufflinks, rather than the base color.
And if you’re rocking stripes, why not opt for a simple pair of cufflinks in one of the colors featured on the shirt? By incorporating these subtle yet thoughtful connections, you can add depth and visual interest to your look.
Bright Colored Cufflinks
When it comes to styling bright colored cufflinks, a key consideration is the color palette of the dress shirt they’re paired with. On a solid neutral-colored shirt, cufflinks that burst with vibrant hues can be truly eye-catching and elicit enthusiastic compliments. However, if not carefully matched, this combination can have an opposite effect, leading to whispers instead of praise as onlookers are left scratching their heads.
↓ 4 – Cufflinks with a Jacket
As winter’s layers unfold, only one aspect of your dress shirt remains visible – the cuffs. This highlights the importance of perfecting your cufflink game. You may opt for a stylish v-neck or crew neck knitwear instead of a jacket, or simply add another layer to combat the chill. In such cases, we suggest donning a single-cuff shirt rather than double-cuffed, as it will maintain a neater appearance beneath your knit and prevent sleeve stretching.
↓ 3 – Wearing Expensive Cufflinks
When it comes to cufflinks, men with refined taste often opt for gold as the material of choice. However, it’s essential to strike a balance between showcasing one’s wealth and avoiding the perception of being ostentatious. A simple yet sophisticated approach is key to making a statement without appearing try-hard. Take, for instance, these 18-carat gold cufflinks featuring a subtle pop of color courtesy of a lime green border and sapphire center.
This understated yet elegant design exudes sophistication, making it perfect for any discerning gentleman. For more inspiration on how to pair cufflinks with bow ties, be sure to check out our ultimate guide.
↓ 2 – Cufflinks with Other Accessories
When it comes to crafting a cohesive look, your jewelry needs to harmonize with the rest of your outfit. Think of your cufflinks, shirt, jacket, and accessories as individual pieces that work together to create a unified whole. The key is to achieve visual balance by pairing your cufflinks with complementary or contrasting elements.
For instance, if you opt for bold, bright cufflinks, it’s best to pair them with jewelry in neutral shades like silver, gold, or black, rather than another loud color. Similarly, if you choose a delicate, understated design, you can get away with pairing it with more statement-making pieces. By considering the relationship between your cufflinks and overall look, you’ll be able to create a polished, put-together appearance that’s sure to turn heads.
↓ 1 – How to Match Cufflinks with Rest of Your Outfit
When it comes to cufflinks, it’s essential to consider the overall visual impact they’ll have on your outfit. Since they won’t be visible if matched with a solid-colored shirt, try pairing them with your tie or bow tie instead. This creates a striking contrast that adds depth to your ensemble. Alternatively, you can also match your cufflinks with your coat or jacket, or other pieces of jewelry like lapel pins or rings for added visual interest.
