There are not many ways to spruce up an outfit that are as easy as cufflinks. Like watches, cuff links are men's jewelry items that are classic and timeless. They create a subtle yet interesting focal point for your outfit. Another thing to like about cufflinks is that while they are decorative, they also serve a purpose in your wardrobe. So cufflinks nicely balance practicality with a touch of luxury.

 

The main purpose of a pair of cufflinks is for the "link" to bridge the space between the cuff of the shirt-- the little gap that is created between your open shirt sleeves. Many men's button down shirts now simply have a button on the cuff. So cuff links do the work of this button, but with considerably more style and flair. In order to necessitate cufflinks, you should look for button down shirts that do not have this small button on the cuff. They are referred to as either French Cuff or Double Cuff shirts.

 

Before putting on cufflinks, you should insure that your dress shirt is clean, free of stains and tears, and has been neatly ironed. Even the coolest pair of cufflinks won't look right if your shirt does not look good. Remember, the cufflinks enhance your overall appearance, so make sure you have a good foundation to start with. You can wear cufflinks with any kind of French Cuff shirt, whether it is solid, pinstripe, or patterned.

 

Now, for selecting your cufflinks. A quick search online or in a men's clothing store will reveal that there are a great number of styles from which to choose. Cufflinks make great presents for men, whether it is for a birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, or a groomsman gift, so you will see lots of different styles that reflect these occasions. My recommendation is to look for classic finishes such as mother of pearl, brushed sterling silver, abalone shell, or semi-precious stones. If you like a more unique look, you can shop for handmade cufflinks on Etsy.com, where artists make them out of interesting materials such as vintage typewriter keys.

 

There are 3 main types of cufflinks that you can purchase. They are the T-bar style, which is the most common and features one decorative face; the Shackle or Button style, which is two decorative pieces that are linked together with a chain; and the Silk Knot style, which is the same as the Button style, however the decorative faces are made of knots of silk.

 

To Wear T-Bar Cufflinks:

Fold the cuffs of your shirt back towards you and make a neat crease.
Line up the holes in the cuffs of the shirt.
Adjust the bar on the back of the cufflink so that it forms a straight line out from the back of the head.
Poke the bar of the cufflink in through the top hole in your cuff, so that the ornamental part of the head is showing.
Squeeze the top cuff and the bottom cuff together, and push the cufflink bar all the way through both holes in the shirt cuff.
Turn the bar of the cufflink so that it is laying flat against the cuff. This will hold the cufflink in place.
Repeat on the other sleeve.

 

To Wear Button Cufflinks:

Follow steps 1 and 2 above. If there is a smaller face on the cufflinks, place this end through the top button hole and all the way through both holes in the shirt cuff. If the heads are both the same size, you can place either end through the cuff hole. There will be decorative faces on both sides of each shirt cuff, linking the cuffs together.

 

To Wear Silk Knot Cufflinks:

Follow the steps for Button Cufflinks above.