Long reserved for special occasions or for men from the upper classes, cufflinks are making a strong comeback in menswear. To add a touch of whimsy to a classic men's outfit, or to perfect the refinement of a suit, cufflinks are discreet jewellery with a big aesthetic impact. As a gift or for yourself, cufflinks are, alongside the tie, the best friend of every French man's shirt.
What makes cufflinks so appealing is how highly personalisable they are. From the most classic to the quirkiest, you'll find them in several shapes, in various materials, in the colour of your choice, and at a range of prices. Whether you wear a silk or a cotton shirt, whether you're heading to work or to a wedding, cufflinks adapt to your style. Before making your purchase, discover the full range of possibilities cufflinks offer in terms of shape.
Cufflinks: the best friend of a man's shirt
It's not always easy to find new gift ideas for a man. Finding an original gift that's sure to please, at an accessible price, is often a tricky mission. Buying a shirt, a tie or a silver bracelet is certainly a safe bet, but a somewhat ordinary one. While men do have access to an interesting range of fashion options, they remain less spoilt for choice than women. For going to work or to a wedding, for example, outfit choices remain fairly classic. Cufflinks buck this sense of "been there, done that" by adding a touch of whimsy to a man's look.
Better than jewellery or a tie, silver cufflinks are a great opportunity to personalise an outfit. Cufflinks are designed to fasten and tighten the cuffs of a shirt. The two pieces of cotton or silk fabric making up the shirt are drawn together at the wrists. Beyond this practical side, cufflinks are a pretext for adding an elegant or quirky wink to a man's shirt. Depending on the circumstances he finds himself in, a man can have fun with more or less unconventional cufflinks. Thousands of designs are available to men: silver cufflinks, coloured cufflinks, cufflinks depicting a sport or a profession, and so on. Transforming a classic shirt in the blink of an eye is now possible, thanks to cufflinks.
Different cufflink shapes to personalise your shirt
The main advantage of cufflinks lies in the huge variety of different designs available. This means every man can adjust the cufflinks on his shirt to suit his own taste. Choosing your pair of cufflinks means choosing their shape. The fashion market offers men a wide range of cufflink shapes.
Fish-tail cufflinks
Among the most popular cufflinks are fish-tail ones. This term comes from the closure mechanism, which simply resembles a fish's tail. Original and practical, this type of cufflink offers a refined style, for a wedding for example. To fasten each cufflink to your shirt, simply turn it upwards and position it in the openings of each cuff. The cufflink is then parallel to the post, ensuring an optimal hold.
The popularity of these cufflinks is down to their low price, combined with how simple they are to use. That said, this lower price doesn't always guarantee perfect longevity. If you're after sturdy shirt jewellery, fish-tail cufflinks might not be the best option. Also, only one of the two faces is visible, making this cufflink a particularly discreet accessory.
Bullet-back cufflinks
With a closure mechanism resembling a rifle cartridge, this cufflink gives any man a touch of musketeer flair. Very common on shirts, these cufflinks are just as simple to use as fish-tail ones. To fasten them to your shirt, each cufflink must be aligned parallel to its post, then passed through the cuff openings. Turn the cufflink, and that's it — your shirt is taken to the peak of refinement.
In terms of price, bullet-back cufflinks are in the same range as the previous category. Be sure to favour quality designs to avoid buying a flimsy product. Keep in mind that cufflinks are handled regularly and can weaken over time.
Stud cufflinks
This shape stands completely apart from the previous two. As its name suggests, this cufflink takes the shape of a stud and represents the most classic cufflink shape. Both round faces of the cufflink can be visible once fastened to a man's shirt. This double visibility allows for twice as many patterns, and therefore more personalisation.
These cufflinks are also trickier to fasten. To do so, you need to tilt the lower part sideways, as if closing a shirt button. The advantage of this cufflink shape is its sturdiness — every part of the cufflink is fixed in place.
Chain-link cufflinks
This category of cufflinks contributes to one of the most traditional looks. Two flat faces are linked by a small silver or metal chain. They're not difficult to handle; one of the two parts must be inserted into the shirt-cuff hole, then fastened to the other part by the little chain.
Despite the very classic look of this type of cufflink, you get more visible jewellery. What's more, the chain linking the two cufflinks gives a more relaxed style, since your shirt cuff will sit a little less tightly.
Ball-back cufflinks
At first glance, these cufflinks look a little like tiny mushrooms. The lower part has a much larger ball, attached by a chain or a post to the other part. To fasten them, simply tilt and push the smaller part through the cuff openings, then put everything back into place.
Very elegant, these cufflinks can be worn on any occasion, whether a wedding, at the office, or for a smart evening out. You'll also be guaranteed great durability, thanks to their rock-solid construction. Note, however, that this design is trickier to fasten than other cufflink types.
Double-action cufflinks
This style of silver cufflink is unquestionably the most modern on the market. The closure mechanism is highly ingenious, drawing its inspiration from watch clasps. While the mechanism might seem intimidating, it's easy to master. To fasten them to a man's shirt, both cufflinks must be laid flat, then passed through the cuff openings.
Once closed, these cufflinks won't come undone under any circumstances. This secure closure is ideal for an event like a wedding — you'll be able to dance all night without risking the loss of your precious jewellery. In terms of looks, these cufflinks will make an impression thanks to their modernity and their two visible faces.
Silk-knot cufflinks
Not all cufflinks are made of metal or silver. Silk is used too. Here, the two cufflinks are linked by a small silk cord, which must pass through your shirt's openings. Generally, both faces are identical and in the colour of your choice. The appeal of these cufflinks lies in offering a style that's refreshingly different from the ordinary.
We also recommend these other pages:
- A brief history of cufflinks
- Who wears cufflinks?
- Why wear cufflinks?
- Cufflink materials
- The most beautiful cufflinks
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