Cufflinks – How to wear them

There aren’t many pieces of jewellery that a man (or a woman for that matter!) can wear that are both ornamental and functional.

If you don’t usually wear cufflinks, you’re missing out. In this blog we’ll answer the questions that are often asked about how to wear cufflinks and introduce you to some of our most stylish options. 

What are cufflinks?

Cufflinks are designed to hold the cuffs of your shirt together, and when first invented, they were thought of as ‘rich man’s buttons’.

Although modern day shirts often come with sewn-in buttons, many often still have holes where you can choose to use cufflinks. There are also still a variety of shirts that don’t come with buttons in the cuffs – making cufflinks a necessity here.

Where do cufflinks go?

Cufflinks slide through both holes of the cuff of your shirt, holding it together. The decorative part should face the outside when your arm is held in a natural position at your side.

Can I wear cufflinks with any type of shirt?

As mentioned above, some shirts have sewn-in buttons in the cuffs, but if you’d rather use a sophisticated pair of cufflinks, you’ll need to ensure that your shirt has holes in the cuffs for the cufflinks alongside the buttons. Also, many shirts, particularly dress shirts, don’t come with buttons, so you’ll need to purchase cufflinks to hold your cuffs together.

Whilst it’s more usual to wear cufflinks with dress shirts for formal occasions, it is also entirely possible to wear them with regular shirts for more casual events, or even to work. You just need to make sure that you have the right type of cuff – either a French cuff or a single cuff.

What is a French cuff?

A French cuff, also known as a double cuff, is longer than the regular type. The French cuff features two pairs of buttonholes, without any sewn-in buttons.

What is a single cuff?

If you’re not a fan of shirts with French cuffs, you may want to opt for a classic single cuff shirt.

This is basically a more classic version of a standard shirt. To wear cufflinks with a single cuff shirt, simply insert your cufflinks into the buttonholes.

How to put on cufflinks

If you’re planning on investing in some classy cufflinks to smarten up your look, it’s important to know that there is actually a correct way to wear them. Follow these steps to ensure you’re wearing your cufflinks properly.

  1. Firstly, press the two edges of your shirt’s cuff together.
  2. Next, insert your cufflink through both holes of the cuff, with the decorative side facing outwards when your arm is placed at your side.
  3. Lastly, some types of cufflinks will require the back securing, whereas others will stay in place due to their shape.

Can I wear a shirt with cufflinks without a jacket?

Of course, you can do whatever you please! However, traditionally, shirts with a French cuff should be worn with a jacket.

So, if you’d like to show off your snazzy new cufflinks without wearing a jacket, opting for a single cuff shirt is probably the way to go.

Can I wear cufflinks for a casual event?

With a recent swing towards a more contemporary approach to ‘smart casual’, particularly in the office, cufflinks can show great attention to detail. So, whether you’re after smart workplace accessories or you want to look your best for a restaurant date, cufflinks can really level up your wardrobe.

Which cufflinks to wear

A simple, well-engineered pair of cufflinks from ODs Jewellers can make a great impression, whatever the occasion.

There are many types of cufflinks, which can be worn either with a formal or smart-casual outfit, but how do you choose the right ones?

A good rule of thumb is that your cufflinks should match the colour of any other accessory you choose to wear - be it your belt, watch or tie.

Cufflinks with jewels such as diamonds should only really be worn for formal events – they might be a bit much for the office!

Speaking of the office, if you’re wearing a plain white shirt and want to pair it with cufflinks, gold can be a better option than silver as it stands out more. It all depends on the look you’re going for – the choice is entirely up to you.

These stylish cufflinks from Tommy Hilfiger would look perfect paired with a Tommy Hilfiger Cufflinksblack, single cuff shirt. Wear them for the office, cocktails in town or even a wedding reception.

Featuring an effortlessly cool stainless-steel design, these cufflinks come in a smart Tommy Hilfiger case, making them the perfect gift.

These All Over TH Flag Tommy Hilfiger cufflinks make a sophisticated statement. Crafted from stainless steel, the sleek round designTommy Hilfiger Flag Textured Cufflinks features an abstract, textured pattern with the signature Tommy flag displayed around the edges. They also come with a stylish Tommy Hilfiger case.

Speak to us about our range of cufflinks today

To speak to a knowledgeable member of the team at ODs Jewellers about the cufflinks we have available, or any of our products, give us a call on 01744 730985. Alternatively, you can send us a message using our online contact form and we will get back to you shortly.

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