Menswear in 2020 has refocused on chic elegance, built around well-known accessories such as the tie, the bow tie, and also cufflinks. Between traditional menswear codes and quirky fashion accessories, cufflinks are now hugely popular for ceremony or gala outfits.
The brief history of cufflinks dates back to the 17th century. At the time, the cufflink was a decorative accessory reserved for special occasions among nobles and wealthy men. Wearing cufflinks then gradually spread across all social classes. Somewhat neglected in the 1980s, the cufflink is now making a strong comeback, with much more contemporary designs.
Who wears cufflinks in 2020?
Just a few decades ago, cufflinks were seen as an accessory from another era. Only men attached to classic dress codes still wore their cufflinks for ceremonies or important appointments. That old-fashioned, overly formal image of the cufflink is a thing of the past in 2020.
Many new cufflink collections have brought this once-neglected accessory back into fashion. The new generation is gradually reclaiming this essential men's accessory whenever a dress shirt is called for.
Older generations are also being won over by more original cufflink designs, bringing a breath of fresh air to their wardrobe.
Classic in shape, colourful, or entirely quirky, cufflinks have, in just a few years, become the new go-to fashion accessory for a wedding, a reception or an important business meeting. The wide choice of shapes and patterns lets you adapt your style to whatever event you've been invited to.
Occasions for wearing cufflinks in 2020
Traditional dress codes no longer need to be followed to the letter as they once were. Today, a shirt can be worn just as easily with jeans as with chinos. This shift in fashion has also multiplied the occasions for wearing accessories once reserved for weddings and other formal receptions.
In 2020, you can wear your cufflinks for:
- a wedding,
- a birthday,
- a reception or a party,
- a romantic date,
- a business meeting,
- etc.
You can therefore accessorise your shirt cuffs for pretty much any occasion, taking care to match the cufflink design to the event.
For a wedding, every eccentricity is allowed, with colourful, quirky cufflinks. If you're the lucky groom, perfect your suit down to the smallest detail with cufflinks:
- shaped like hearts,
- shaped like a bride and groom,
- shaped like a champagne bottle,
- etc.
For a birthday, treat yourself by choosing your most original cufflinks on themes such as:
- superheroes,
- high-tech,
- animals,
- cars,
- etc.
Cufflinks also make a great gift idea, whether to give or to receive! They're the ultimate accessory for personalising a classic outfit while avoiding an overly flashy look.
For more formal or professional events, favour understated cufflinks. For an elegant style, the most fashionable cufflinks are:
- square or oval, in raw metals (silver, stainless steel, gold, etc.),
- in mother-of-pearl or stone,
- in knot form,
- with miniature details such as watch movements.
Some understated cufflink designs, easy to slide through the cuff openings, can be worn every day by the most confident of gentlemen. Among these collections, silk-knot cufflinks come in many colours and can be matched to your tie, your bow tie, or even the colour of your suit jacket.
Materials used for cufflinks in 2020
The days of scarves and embroidered fabric pieces for closing shirt cuffs at the wrist are well and truly over.
The materials most commonly used to make cufflinks today are:
- stainless steel,
- silver,
- gold,
- silk.
Stainless steel has several advantages, including the fact that it doesn't oxidise, unlike silver or gold.
A cufflink can be subjected to a lot of friction against the fabric of your various shirts and suit jackets. What's more, at an event where the temperature calls for leaving the suit jacket aside, the cufflink can be exposed to perspiration. It's a good idea to clean your cufflinks after every event, before putting them away in their box. However, careful cleaning alone won't be enough to prevent a metal such as silver or gold from oxidising.
A slightly oxidised silver or gold cufflink can give your accessory a vintage feel. That said, if you want to preserve the full shine of the gold or silver, you'll need to visit a jeweller, a cufflink specialist, or another professional able to restore the metal's shine.
A silk cufflink requires little upkeep. It's made from silk fabric tied into a knot. Easy to slide between the two cuff openings, these cufflinks can be worn every day and are available from as little as €5.
Where to buy cufflinks?
Many retailers now offer cufflinks in various sizes and at every price point.
Specialist menswear retailers can offer you fairly classic cufflink designs that easily match any type of shirt, tie or bow tie.
You can also find designer cufflinks in jewellery shops, made with precious stones such as crystal, or noble metals such as silver or gold.
If you'd rather not waste time visiting several shops, you can find a wider choice of quality cufflinks available online. Orders are shipped within a reasonable delivery time, so you can wear your new pair of cufflinks for your next outing. This way, you can build your collection of cufflinks with original designs you won't find anywhere else.
The different trending cufflink designs
Between originality and elegance, the choice can be difficult when it comes to choosing your cufflinks. The colour of your shirt will also need to be taken into account when choosing a matching cufflink style.
If you plan to wear a white or black shirt, coloured cufflinks are very popular. You can choose a classic-shaped cufflink, but with a touch of colour to add some zing to your outfit.
For coloured or patterned shirts, the most fashionable cufflinks are those in chrome tones such as silver, gold, bronze, copper, and so on. Understated shades are also welcome — for example, a black or white silk-knot cufflink.
If you want to stand out without opting for an overly flashy tie, treat yourself to an original pair of cufflinks. With a white or black shirt, you can dare any cufflink style. The most popular cufflink designs are those referencing an everyday object or a superhero everyone knows. The other guests at the party will be delighted to discover your wonderfully quirky cufflinks.
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