When and how to wear cufflinks

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When and how to wear cufflinks

Cufflinks first appeared in the 17th century, replacing the ribbons that used to close shirt cuffs. They have since remained reserved for formal attire and evening wear, fastened through the buttonholes of shirts with double-folded, also known as French, or mixed cuffs.

Cufflinks are composed of three main parts:

- The Visible Face: This is the front of the cufflink, often decorated, engraved, or set with a stone or other attractive material.

- The Post: This is the part that passes through the shirt's buttonholes and connects to the front face.

- The Backing: This is the bottom part of the cufflink, which rotates 90 degrees to secure it in place, preventing it from slipping out of the two openings on the cuffs.

Certain types of cufflinks, such as those with chains, ball fastenings, or silk knots, don’t have a solid post or backing. Instead, they are secured by a chain, a curved post, or another mechanism that keeps them in place. Some cufflink models are even reversible, featuring two identical faces, allowing them to be worn in either direction.

Cufflinks are unique in that they are one of the few pieces of jewellery traditionally associated with men's wardrobes. The choice of cufflink design can reveal a lot about your personality: opting for the most understated style helps avoid fashion missteps and sends the right message. When in doubt, go for simple fabric or metal ball cufflinks.