How To Wear Cufflinks and Shirts Studs for Men

Today you will have some information for our men readers, yes you got the idea from the title of the article. Cufflinks are one of the accessories a man can carry. Although there are not many options other than wearing a watch, tie, glasses, tie pins and of course cufflinks. Actually cufflinks fulfill the need of safety pins and the buttons for men. If you’re the one who doesn’t give a try to cufflinks, then it is recommended to give it a chance. Nowadays, you can also have customizable cufflinks according to your own preference and style. You will surely get compliments on wearing them. We will have a deep look on different types and styles of cufflinks from the current time. Cufflinks are the way to display your taste for fashion. 

What Actually Cufflinks are?

The literary meaning of cufflinks is simple and understandable by the name that is to “link the cuffs”. Most of the formal dress shirts don’t have buttons on their cuffs, cufflinks are used to connect the cuffs. In simple words they can be a good replacement for the buttons in order to express your own style. The upper side is decorative or customised and the lower side is used to close the cuffs. They differ from basic buttons as they can be separated after use. Cufflinks are now fully customizable in any shape, colour, material or size. 

How Cufflinks Actually Works:

We will understand the working mechanism of cufflinks. The lower part of the cufflinks enters the holes in the cuffs covering the both sides. The upper side which is designed is adjusted and then the movable lower part locks the cuffs together. The movable part is called a toggle which is moved to adjust the cuffs and lock them. To unlock the cuffs the toggle is moved vertical to release cuffs easily. The working of cufflinks can help people out with the question “How to put on cufflinks”.

History of Cufflinks:

Basically the concept of cufflinks came from France in the early 1600’s. The cufflinks at that time were made up of gold, silver and the gemstones in the style of chain cufflinks. They were affordable for the elites and rich people at that time. They are known as cuff buttons in that era and used at a place of buttons. By the end of the century, the start of 1700, they had started to be made in some less precious metal and stones. This makes them accessible for people at some point. With the passage of time the style became more secure for the users and became more popular among the men at that time. In this current era, cufflinks can be made in any metal and  style.  Cufflinks are never outdated from history till the current times. 

What are the Types of Cufflinks:

In today’s world, there is a whole other world of types and styles of cufflinks. It would be better to call cufflinks a jewellery, as they are available in every kind of material, style, colour and size. Now, let’s have a look at the different types of cufflinks. 

Chain Link Cufflinks:

In these cufflinks, the lower and upper sides are mostly of the same designs. There is a good quality chain in between to connect the both sides. Both sides are designed and decorative and can be used from any side. These cufflinks are loosely fitted as there is a chain in between. 

Silk Knot or Simple Knot Cufflinks:

These cufflinks are made up of fabric mostly with silk. That’s why they are available in various colours. They have decorative heads made by knots which make them more casual to wear. These cufflinks are pocket friendly but less durable as compared to metal ones. Because they are made up of fabric.

Ball Back or Ball Return Cufflinks:

The difference of these cufflinks from others is that they don’t have a movable toggle. The lower end is a heavy ball type shape that crosses the cuffs to fix them. They are tighter as compared to chain cufflinks but looser than the hinged one. 

Bullet Back Cufflinks:

These are the most commonly used type of cufflinks. As they are easy to use. There is a narrow metal toggle that slides between the holes of the cuffs then moves from the vertical position to the horizontal to be fixed in place. 

Locking Cufflinks or Locking Dual-Action Cufflinks:

The working mechanism of these cufflinks are the same as their name. In this the cufflinks are locked to be fixed with each other. The lower part which is smaller in size goes into the cuff and clipped lock after adjusting them. After some practice you can be a pro, in wearing them. Due to the locking feature they are the most secure cufflinks to wear. 

Whale Back Cufflinks:

These cufflinks are the same as their name is mentioned. They are somehow like bullets backs. The toggle is movable easily. The upper and lower parts are of any shape, but it looks like a whale’s tail. They are the most common types available in the market. As they are also easy to use. 

Buttons and Studs Like Cufflinks:

These cufflinks do not have a moveable toggle, instead they have a fixed larger and smaller head. The larger side is decorative and it is the front side. Whereas, the lower side is a small head which is further used to lock the cuffs. They are durable in usage. These are some of the common types of the cufflinks available in the market.

Materials Used to Make Cufflinks:

There is a whole range of the material in which cufflinks are made. As now they are customizable and available in almost every type and style. Here are some common materials that are used to make cufflinks. To add aesthetics to the collection of your cufflinks consider using a good material and metal. 

• Glass
• Crystal
• Pearls 
• Silk
• Titanium
• Onyx
• Rose Gold
• Carbon Fibre
• Enamel
• Gun Metal
• Stainless Steel
• Stainless Silver
• Gemstones
  

How to Put on Cufflinks:

We can make some points to ponder while putting on cufflinks. Such as:

Choose a Nice Shirt:

The shirt with convertible cuffs or the French cuffs are the best choice for the cufflinks. As they can be wearable only with double cuffs that can also be folded. This is the main concern to answer the question, how to wear cufflinks.

Secure the Cufflinks:

Make sure that your cufflinks are fastened unless you are wearing “Sprezzatura Style”.

Fold your cuffs on the shirt to make the holes visible, now make sure to insert the cufflinks in both holes and secure your cufflinks. Make sure they do not leave their space.

Pairing of Cufflinks:

Be conscious while choosing your cufflinks as they should go with your shirt. Consider colours and occasions on which you are wearing them. Make sure they should go better with your other accessories. 

When You Should Wear Cufflinks:

This wholly depends upon your choice but for suggestion, it is better to wear them on formal or semi-formal occasions. More detail is given below:

Business Meetings:

Cufflinks are not recommended for wearing on a business setup or meeting a client. This is the same like bowties, as they are also not recommended to be worn at business meetings. If you belong to the profession of medicine or law this rule is not for you. Obviously choose a decent pair of cufflinks that are not too prominent. 

For Formal Events: 

Wearing cufflinks for a formal event is very important. Also if there is black and white tie event. You can go for cufflinks even with “Tuxedo”. You can style different types of cufflinks with different attires such as go for pearl cufflinks if you are wearing White Tie.

Semi-Formal Events:

Semi-formal dressing is recommended for weddings, cocktail parties, and some other social gatherings. You can style cufflinks on semi-formal functions with any kind of ties. For these occasions you can go for a wide range of cufflinks and you are free to try any of them. 

FAQ’S:

What is the correct way to wear cufflinks?

The correct and simple way to wear cufflinks is to slide the toggle in the holes of the cuffs and change its position from vertical to horizontal, to lock the cufflinks. As the toggle can move 90 degrees.

Can cufflinks be worn with any shirt?

It is recommended to wear cufflinks with French Cuffs and the Shirts with Double Cuffs that can easily be folded up. 

How do cufflinks work with buttons?

It is not suggested to wear cufflinks with buttons, but you can go for them if there are double holes in the cuffs. One for the buttons and other for cufflinks.

What is the dress code for cufflinks?

Cufflinks are often used with formal dresses such as for weddings and some business meetings. Semi-formal gathering can also be a good dress code option for cufflinks.