How and when to wear cufflinks

Who wears cufflinks

A niche, but one that is gradually expanding

Just a few years ago, cufflinks were only worn in certain professional circles and for special occasions. Today it's an accessory worn daily and naturally by more and more men. Making a strong comeback in recent years, it allows men seeking elegance and originality to improve their style and rediscover the pleasure of wearing French cuff shirts with beautiful cufflinks. Follow our advice to wear them well but don't forget to have fun!

Cufflinks are not reserved for a show-off clientele.

Cufflinks are both an accessory and a jewel, like a watch. For some, it's a bling-bling accessory or reserved for a caste. When in fact, far from all these prejudices, it offers great freedom of styles and there are models for all budgets.

A space for expression and creativity

There are of course classic metal models in square, round, rectangular or cylindrical shapes, but there are also models with various materials. It's an opportunity to wear stones like lapis lazuli, sodalite or onyx, as well as other natural materials like mother-of-pearl, wood, marble or leather. We choose our cufflinks mainly according to the mood of the day.

Personalize an outfit

Cufflinks are a good way to personalize an outfit and change from the simple cuff shirt. They allow a discreet reminder of the color of your jewelry (watch, rings or bracelets) or your tie. The goal is to have a less classic shirt and brighten up your outfit with subtlety. One of the main obstacles to using cufflinks is undoubtedly the formal image it conveys. Some men wrongly think that this accessory is reserved only for very chic outfits and is not for them. It's actually the opposite, you just need to try it to discover the pleasure of wearing them.

Show your interests

Cufflinks can take all possible shapes, on a multitude of themes: travel, sports, arts, professions, games… Enough to find those that suit you. Fan of cars, rock or rugby, you will always find cufflinks featuring what you're passionate about.

Far from being fixed, cufflinks adapt to your desires

In a formal style

Although there are a multitude of fabrics and colors, a men's formal outfit consists of: a shirt and a suit. To accessorize and stand out, there's of course the tie, belt and shoes, but in terms of jewelry we're rather limited: a watch and some rings/bracelets for some. Cufflinks are therefore perfect for completing a look and giving it more character. A French cuff shirt with beautiful cufflinks adds a real plus compared to a simple cuff shirt. You can match them with the color of your watch, your shirt or your tie.

In a casual style

Cufflinks are less formal than you think and silk knots are a good way to practice for a few euros, before moving on to metal cufflinks. With a casual chic outfit, opt for fun models, you indeed have more freedom in the choice of colors.

At work

It depends of course on your work. If your outfit should attract attention or if you can allow yourself great freedom of style, go for it! On the other hand, if you can't allow yourself any fanciness, you can wear classic cufflinks, with simple shapes, in metal, or with materials like semi-precious stones, mother-of-pearl, wood… It's a question of balance.

For an event

Cufflinks are essential accessories for a ceremony. Match them with the color of your suit, your tie or your bow tie elegantly. They can also be a good way to echo the color or theme of the ceremony.

Future groom? First, congratulations! Then, choose your cufflinks according to the color of your wedding ring, harmoniously. If you prefer more colorful cufflinks, match them with the color of your tie, your bow tie or even your ascot.

Days off

Cufflinks are not reserved only for big events and professional meetings. You can also wear them on weekends in a more casual way, with chinos and a blazer for example. In this case, choose fancy cufflinks or silk knots, which will give an elegant casual chic look.

A message to convey?

It is possible to personalize cufflinks with a date, a symbol, or an important message. It's also a unique gift idea to keep for life and pass on to future generations.

Which cufflinks to choose to start?

We often think that the best way not to go wrong when starting out is to choose the most basic model. However, this idea, laudable as it may be, is not necessarily the best. This is also what happens when you start getting interested in fashion in general and buy all the good basics recommended on the best blogs. It's good, but you also need to sharpen your tastes and take the leap towards more original pieces.

Can I wear my cufflinks mismatched?

If you're looking for an offbeat side, cufflinks can of course be worn mismatched. We have models with two different sides, which can be worn identically or mismatched.

How to recognize solid silver cufflinks?

Solid silver cufflinks always have the 925 hallmark to certify their composition (92.5% silver). The remaining percentages are composed of copper and zinc for strength.

I would like to have personalized cufflinks, how do I do it?

We offer you to personalize your pair of cufflinks. You select the metal (stainless steel or solid silver), the shape (round, square, rectangular), then we engrave in our Bordeaux workshop the design of your choice. It's simple and as quick as a classic order. Ideal for a gift or for a special occasion.

How to avoid a faux pas with your cufflinks?

The main pitfall with cufflinks is wanting to match them perfectly to your entire outfit. Don't overthink it, the goal is to please yourself, so a color echo is more than enough.

The history of cufflinks

To shine in society

Historically, shirt cuffs were connected with fabric ribbons and cufflinks, as we know them today, appeared in the 17th century. Simple cuffs with sewn buttons appeared much later, in the 20th century.

They were popularized notably by Edward VII, the great-grandfather of the current Queen of the United Kingdom. He called upon the expertise of jeweler Fabergé to create pieces encrusted with precious stones. At that time, this jewel showed the power of the one who wore it.

More recently, during the post-war period, men still wore a lot of suits and cufflinks were popular. They were considered in France at that time as an elegant accessory, worn whenever a beautiful occasion arose.

During the 1970s/80s, cufflinks lost ground, with notably the massive arrival of casual and sportswear. They gradually became limited to certain professional circles and social classes.

Today, cufflinks are accessible and you can treat yourself without necessarily spending a fortune at big luxury brands. There are affordable and good quality steel and brass cufflinks, but also solid silver at an accessible price.

The French cuff shirt

Elegance with a capital E

The cuffs of the French cuff shirt are obviously different from simple cuffs that close with sewn buttons. They are folded cuffs, more rigid. They close using cufflinks that are passed through solidly stitched buttonholes. The shape of the cuffs therefore differs from a classic shirt and the fold gives volume and elegance to the shirt. The cuffs should extend slightly to show the cufflinks without overdoing it.

How to select your cufflinks? Materials, shapes and stylistic advice