Guide to Men’s Accessories – Part VI: Cufflinks
June 17, 2010
Sadly, I have nothing too controversial to say about cufflinks. I debated whether to say anything at all, yet it is a key component in male accessorizing so it definitely deserves a mention.
There is no cool story associated with why/how cufflinks were invented or they’re original purpose – its basically a glorified button that can be frustrating to put together and may require an additional pair of hands.
Nonetheless, cuff links are no longer traditional (oval black enamel for tuxedo and business) – they come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and makes – there are really no strict rules surrounding when and what to wear them with anymore either.
Cufflinks are worn with a double cuff and the most common cufflink is one that “pushes through” a cufflink hole.
Quick Tips:
- Be aware of your gold to silver ratio between your cufflinks, rings, bracelets and watch – you don’t want to wear stainless steel with solid gold – the colours just wont’ work. Besides, you don’t want to wear all these things at once – stick to a watch and cufflinks, or ring and cufflinks – 2 things are better than 3 and never 4!
- Don’t get too caught up with colour matching your cufflinks exactly to your tie or pocket square – it should always look like you didn’t try too hard.
- Always wear cufflinks with a double cuff, it doesn’t have the same madmen edge with single cuff
- You are allowed to wear cufflinks without a tie or in a setting that is not intensely formal – rules are more flexible around this as cufflinks are available with very casual undertones (i.e. shaped like dice).
