I recently discovered this article on Details under their “Rules of Style” section, denouncing cufflinks. When I read later in the article that Gianni Agnelli was “not exactly a style icon” I concluded the article must have been written in jest. However, many men do feel uncomfortable wearing cufflinks, unsure when to wear them. As someone who likes to wear cufflinks on a semi-regular basis, I can tell you that I’ve never had anyone ask, “Why are you wearing cufflinks?” Without failure, my cufflinks receive compliments and looks of approval.
True indeed, French cuffs, or double cuffs, are not for everyone. For some they are too fancy, for others they feel that they attract too much attention, for others, attracting too much attention is exactly what they want.
Men don’t often have the chance to wear fancy jewelry so cufflinks become a go-to accessory for men looking to step up their game on special occasions. It can also become part of your “style personality,” you may be the guy known for wearing colored socks, bright pocket squares, bow ties, or cufflinks. Hell, you may be the guy known for wearing all of these together! If you can pull it off, looking and feeling good, then go for it!
So, when should you wear French cuffs and cufflinks? Whenever the hell you want to!
And why should you wear French cuffs and cufflinks? Because you feel like it!
Now that you’re headed out shopping for a new French cuff dress shirt, you’re going to need a nice set (or three) of cufflinks to show off as well. I have complied a terrific list of online stores to shop for cufflinks. First I’ll go over a few of the many types of cufflinks.
Precious or Semi-precious Metal Cufflinks
Alfred Dunhill Silver Ingot Cufflinks
I may never own a bar of bullion, except those small hideous bars they sell on ebay. Those just remind me that I don’t have the real thing. I want a bar the length of my forearm.
Cartier Panther Head Cufflinks in Gold
If you have to ask the price of these, you likely cannot afford them. These links are made with tsavorite eyes, onyx, and of course yellow gold.
Cartier Panther Head Cufflinks in Silver
Ok, these are my favorite links from the bunch. That sea foam green jade just looks killer against the silver and the angular face of the panther looks stunning.
Copper Cufflinks
Alice Made This Copper Cufflinks
These are a very industrial looking set of cufflinks. Not suitable for a black tie affair, yet they are sure to get compliments while at the lounge or office. I’d wear these with a tweed in rustic colors.
Leather Cufflinks
Parkin and Lewis Leather Cufflinks
For that dressed-up country look, search no further than some quality leather cufflinks. Pair with a wool tie and hunting jacket.
Wool Cufflinks
Parkin and Lewis Wool Cufflinks
I stumbled upon these links and had to share them with you. You’re definitely not going to see many like these around.
Silk Knot Cufflinks
Brooks Brothers Knot Cufflinks
So these aren’t actually silk, they are inexpensive and work well for the gent starting to build his wardrobe. Psst, no-one will know they’re not silk!
Enamel Cufflinks
Burberry Layered Check Cufflinks
What makes these stand out to me is the depth created by setting the enamel underneath the metal check pattern. Terrific design that will definitely get noticed.
Coin Cufflinks
Ben Silver Coin Cufflinks
There are many makers of coin cufflinks, yet Ben Silver has the most impressive colored coin cufflink collection I’ve seen. They really are beautiful to look at. The hardest part is figuring out which pair you want.
Fun Cufflinks
Lego Cufflinks
Don’t wear these to a client meeting, unless your client is Lego. Do wear these to spark your creative side and have a little fun. If you want to have a lot of fun, get the next pair of cufflinks.
Post-Fun Cufflinks
Cufflinks That Open Handcuffs
So you had a wild night after closing the big deal… a little too wild. Never fear as long as you have these 007-worthy links on your wrists. The manufacturer warning is priceless: “The use of this product under some circumstances may result in you being shot.”
Where to purchase cufflinks? Here’s a list of companies that produce quality cufflinks!
Brooks Brothers
TM Lewin
Charles Tyrwhitt
Hawes and Curtis
Brier and Moss
Hackett
Deakin and Francis
Aspinal of London
Burberry
Clements and Church
Duchamp
Paul Fredrick
Monsieur Fox
Benson and Clegg
Charles Wilson
Links On Jack
Mont Blanc
Cartier
Tiffany & Co.
Thomas Pink
Paul Smith
Simon Carter
Alfred Dunhill
Faberge
Tateossian
Kent Wang
Monsieur Fox
Zegna
Shanghai Tang
Penrose London
Stay true to yourself. Be kind to others. Define your own style.