Cufflinks bring a touch of elegance to any shirt. An outfit, even one that looks more casual than a suit, can be elevated by these details that might seem trivial. Whether classic or original, in steel, precious metal, enamel or full of colour, they set off a man's wrists and give a distinguished look to any outfit. Today, cufflinks are worn just as easily with jeans as with a suit. They give style to a casual outfit and finish off a polished one. That said, to be sure you know everything about cufflinks and wear them well, there are certain rules in modern menswear. It's important for the whole outfit to be harmonious, to keep all its elegance. That's why cufflinks are chosen to echo another element of the look. To keep you from any fashion faux pas, here's some advice on properly matching your cufflinks with the rest of your outfit.
Creating a matching look between your cufflinks and your shirt
If you like to keep things simple and wear few accessories, the best approach is to match your cufflinks with your shirt. To do this, you can follow one of the rules below.
- You can go tone-on-tone, choosing identical colours for your shirt and your cufflinks.
- They can be analogous colours — that is, two very close colours (light blue and mid blue).
- You can also use complementary colours from the colour wheel (blue and orange, or red and green, for example). Indeed, these pair together beautifully.
Perhaps you'd rather wear a white shirt? In that case, you can choose cufflinks in any colour you like (black to stay understated, pink for a touch of originality).
If you go for a black shirt, it all depends on the effect you're after. That said, black or metallic-toned cufflinks (gold, silver, platinum) will undoubtedly be best suited to a sober, elegant outfit.
Don't overlook the most important detail of your shirt: it needs French cuffs for you to wear cufflinks at all. Finally, wear a jacket whose sleeves let your shirt cuffs peek out. The whole point of cufflinks is that they're seen. The ultimate touch: matching your cufflinks to those on your jacket, if that's an option.
The winning combo: cufflinks and bow tie
The bow tie is a men's accessory that has come back into the spotlight in recent years. Like cufflinks, it brings a touch of elegance to any outfit, as long as it's chosen with care. To ensure a distinguished look by combining these two elements, it's best to choose them as a matching set. This harmonious pairing works particularly well for a wedding.
For a patterned bow tie
So, to match your cufflinks with your bow tie, check before buying that both accessories exist in the chosen pattern. If you've chosen a Liberty-print bow tie, get matching cufflinks to complete your outfit. It's a good idea to wear a plain-coloured pocket square for a discreet colour echo. But cufflinks sit far enough from the face to allow for using the same pattern.
For a plain bow tie
Apply the same rule if you've chosen a bow tie in an original fabric, such as wool or linen. Choose cufflinks covered in the same fabric to echo it. If that exact design doesn't exist, a very similar colour will work just as well. Here too, the distance between the bow tie and the cufflinks works in your favour. What's more, wooden bow ties exist too. If you like this original accessory, don't hesitate to buy a pair of cufflinks with wooden details as well.
Matching tie and cufflinks: everyday distinction
It's common for men to wear a tie with their suit at work, depending on their role. For a man who likes to dress well, cufflinks complete the look with style, discretion and elegance. It's also an accessory that lets you show a facet of your personality while respecting the required dress code. The cufflink is a valuable ally.
That said, be mindful of adapting how you wear them according to your company's unwritten rules. If you notice that only the director wears them, you might want to avoid putting yourself in an awkward position. The same goes if you have a job interview coming up. Cufflinks have long been a symbol of a certain kind of power — wearing them can be poorly received at a first professional meeting. Do some research beforehand to avoid any misstep. It's worth knowing that cufflinks can also be worn without a tie, as the sole accessory.
That said, if you're confident you can wear them, you can match your cufflinks with your tie. To do this, simply apply the same rules as for the bow tie. It doesn't matter whether your tie is slim or classic. Choose a pair of cufflinks in the same fabric (silk, wool, cotton, etc.). Most menswear brands offer a set with a matching tie and cufflinks. By choosing this option (or asking for it as a gift), you'll be sure to have an elegant ensemble.
Matching your cufflinks with your other accessories
If you're wearing other accessories with your cufflinks, it's important to make sure your whole look is harmonious. Here are a few accessories you can match your cufflinks with.
Matching your cufflinks with your watch and belt
One of the main items worn by men: the watch. Depending on its look and materials, check that your cufflinks don't clash with it. The same goes for your belt. The main factor to consider for both accessories: the colour of the metal used. So, if your watch is gold-toned, favour gold cufflinks. Do the same for your belt buckle.
If you prefer, you can also match the colour of your cufflinks to the colour of your watch strap. So, if your watch has a brown leather strap, you'll want to wear brown cufflinks.
Cufflinks and jewellery
You might wear a little jewellery — a ring, or bracelets (metal, leather, beaded, etc.). If you go for metal cufflinks, try to choose the same metal as your other jewellery (gold, or a white metal such as silver, for example). The same goes for a tie clip or a brooch. The one exception to this rule: your wedding band. You can wear it even if its metal doesn't match the rest of your outfit.
Other accessories
If you're not wearing jewellery, a watch or a belt, you can also match your cufflinks with your socks or braces. If you choose coloured cufflinks, simply coordinate the whole outfit around a single shade. As for braces, if that's the only other accessory you're wearing with your cufflinks, make sure the metal matches (gold or silver).
Dare to be original with unconventional cufflinks
Although cufflinks were once the preserve of important events and ceremonies, they've since become widely accessible. Several original designs were created at the end of the 20th century, such as Paul Smith's famous cars. These original cufflinks let their owner reveal a facet of their personality. This is especially true for men in creative roles. Cufflinks are then the ideal accessory for showing originality and standing out from others, while remaining discreet.
These cufflinks come in various guises:
- A quirky shape (a cat's head, a skull…).
- Bright colours.
- An engraved message.
- An original motif (a cookie, a dollar sign).
Among these, silk-knot cufflinks are a category all their own. They add a note of original colour. Their advantage: you can own multiple pairs. It's one of the most affordable cufflink designs.
These original designs are generally best kept for private settings, such as an evening with friends. They'll fit perfectly with a casual look, jeans and a blazer, for example. For a particular celebration, such as a wedding, it all depends on your role in the ceremony and your own instincts.
One last tip for properly matching your cufflinks with your outfit: keep it simple, and coordinate with just one element. Cufflinks add a touch of elegance and personality to certain outfits. But if you go for an all-blue look, it might end up looking a little flat.
We also recommend these other pages:
- The cufflinks guide
- When to wear cufflinks?
- How to care for your cufflinks
- How to put on cufflinks
- Buying your cufflinks
Ready to put this into practice? Browse our men's cufflinks collection and filter by colour or shape to perfectly match every outfit.
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