Whether you’re looking to dress to the nines for a special occasion or have been wanting to elevate your suit for boardroom meetings, men’s cufflinks will add the touch of sophistication you desire. With the help of our professional look into the world of cufflinks, any man will be able to master these functional accessories.
What Are Cufflinks?
Cufflinks are small, decorative accessories that secure the sleeves of dress shirts in place. They have two functions: to provide a formal finishing touch on an outfit and to ensure sleeves fit securely around the wrist. Though gold cufflinks are mainly designed to fasten to a French cuff shirt, they can certainly be worn with other style cuffs as long as the shirt has the necessary buttonholes.
The History of Men’s Cufflinks
For hundreds of years, men’s shirt cuffs were held together by strings and ribbons, but as fashion evolved, a need for a sturdier accessory emerged. The first modern-style men’s cufflinks were popularized by King Charles II in the 17th century, and by the end of the 18th century, gold cufflinks had become a staple of European royalty and aristocracy.
It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that the market for cufflinks was available en masse. Inspired by the manufacturing process for bullets, German immigrant George Krementz, the “father of the cufflink,” began mass-producing men’s cufflinks in 1876. His methods made silver and gold cufflinks more affordable and accessible, enabling the everyday man to be able to sport a set.
The Different Types of Cufflinks
Classics in the world of fine men’s accessories, men’s cufflinks up the ante of any look and can be found in a variety of attachment styles, including:
- Bullet-back: perhaps the most universally used design, a bullet-back features a cylindrical “bullet” bar attached to the main body of the piece. Rotate 90 degrees to slide through your buttonholes and secure the cuff.
- Whale-back: the most similar to the bullet-back, a whale-back design features a straight post and flat, solid whale tale that rotates to fasten the cufflink in place.
- Fixed-back: with no movable parts, the simple fixed-back design features a larger front piece and a smaller backing that is pushed through the holes of a sleeve and straightened into place.
- Ball return: a preferred variation on the fixed-back, the ball return operates the same way, with a design featuring one large, rounded fixture on the front and a smaller, rounded piece on the back.
- Chain style: unique due to its flexibility, the chain style design has a flexible link bridge connecting the front and back fixtures, sliding through the holes of a cuff with ease.
5 Benefits of Wearing Men’s Cufflinks
Some say gold cufflinks are making a comeback—others will claim they never left. One thing is for sure: when it comes to men’s fashion, cufflinks offer several important benefits, including:
- Allowing men to express their individual style outside of men’s jewelry
- Securing the cuffs of a shirt into place
- Adding an air of professionalism and refinement to a look
- Showing the wearer’s attention to detail
- Offering versatility in styling with a variety of outfits
When Do You Wear Cufflinks?
Traditionally, men sport their custom cufflinks strictly at semi-formal and formal events. This can include weddings, galas, nice dinners, cocktail parties, business meetings, and more upscale occasions. But some fashion rules are meant to be broken—where and when you show off your favorite gold cufflinks and best pieces of men’s jewelry depends entirely on your personal style and preferences.
Can Women Wear Gold Cufflinks?
Though custom cufflinks are often advertised solely to men, women can absolutely don the functional, stylish accessory! Women wear tailored shirts and blazers as often as men—so why shouldn’t they be able to add a personal touch to their outfits with monogrammed cufflinks? Silver and gold cufflinks created for women tend to be more feminine and delicate than their male counterparts, but there’s something for every style out there.
How to Fasten Cufflinks
Cufflinks are a quick and easy way to fasten your shirt in place, but learning how to attach them can be tricky. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance!
To get started, extend your sleeve and fold the cuff back to create a neat line. Then, hold the two edges of your cuffs together and align the buttonholes. Ensure the decorative part is facing outwards, and insert the gold cufflink through the buttonholes, making sure it’s secure. Straighten out your sleeve if anything got folded or rumpled, and you’re all set!
Is it Worth Investing in Custom Cufflinks?
While there are plenty of beautiful silver and gold cufflinks out there, there’s nothing quite as gratifying as investing in a pair of custom cufflinks made just for you. When you custom design a set of cufflinks, they transform from helpful sleeve fasteners into heirloom-worthy accessories. If you want to create your own unique men’s cufflinks or are searching for a meaningful present for the man in your life, consult your jeweler about the custom design options available to you.
A Few Elements to Consider When Creating Custom Cufflinks
As you create custom cufflinks for yourself or your loved ones, there are a few design decisions you’ll have to make. Do you want a colorful, statement set of custom cufflinks like these William Henry Eagle cufflinks? Would you prefer a more traditional set of gold cufflinks with your birthstone added?
Consider each of these elements carefully to craft the perfect men’s cufflink for you and your style:
- Shape: the decorative ends of cufflinks can feature circles, squares, diamonds, triangles, and more.
- Size: men’s cufflinks are available in small, medium, and large sizes to ensure you always have an option between something more delicate and subtle and a beautiful statement set.
- Materials: consider classic custom cufflink materials such as sterling silver, gold, or stainless steel, as well as more novelty options like cufflinks made with labradorite.
- Mechanism: with five main cufflink types to choose from, decide which mechanism is the most stylish option as well as the easiest for you to use.
- Bonus personalization: make the custom cufflinks even more unique by adding personal touches, such as monogrammed initials or sentimental engravings of names and dates.
Whether you grew up watching your father secure his classic gold cufflinks to his shirt each day before work or have only recently become aware of this timeless accessory, one thing is clear: every man can benefit from owning a pair of cufflinks. Add some extra flair to your wardrobe and invest in your very own men’s cufflinks today.
