Cufflinks are an essential fashion accessory for men who wear French-cuff shirts. They're also a safe bet if you need to buy a gift for a man who likes to look sharp. A truly timeless touch, you'll have no trouble finding a pair of cufflinks that suits him. That said, depending on the occasion, his lifestyle and his job, you'll want to choose these cufflinks with care.
Before buying them, make sure you don't make a misstep. Indeed, a conventional cufflink and an original one aren't worn (or rarely, at least) in the same way. Depending on the setting, the circumstances — and above all, the personality of the man in question — one will be more suitable than the other. To help you see things more clearly and find cufflinks suited to your gift, here are a few pointers!
How do you know if cufflinks are a good gift idea?
Cufflinks for a special occasion
Depending on the man you're buying this gift for, it's not always easy to be sure it will be well received. However, cufflinks are a safe bet if you know this man likes to take care of his appearance and wears a suit regularly. Certain occasions are particularly well suited to wearing cufflinks. A wedding or a retirement are both events perfectly suited to such an accessory. Depending on how well you know his tastes and preferences, you can either choose classic cufflinks, or give him a wink with a quirkier design.
Cufflinks for a collection
Some men collect cufflinks. The big advantage: whether you're considering a classic or modern pair, plain or patterned, he should be delighted with his gift. The challenge: he probably already owns a large number of designs. To make sure your chosen design will be a hit, don't hesitate to ask him beforehand about his selection criteria. Maybe he's decided to only collect round cufflinks, or ones with a whimsical pattern? Ask to see his collection — he'll be delighted to show you. This will give you a clearer idea of the pair of cufflinks you could give him. If you can't see his existing collection with your own eyes, don't hesitate to get him a recent design.
Cufflinks to complement another gift
Cufflinks are an excellent gift idea if you know he's being given a shirt whose cuffs don't close with a button. This can be the case with a joint gift, for a birthday, for example. A pair of cufflinks will complete this lovely gift perfectly. Here too, make your choice based on his preferences, if you know them.
How to choose the right cufflinks to give as a gift?
Today, cufflinks are considered genuine jewellery for men. Cufflinks are there to elevate an outfit. These accessories bring a touch of elegance and sophistication to any suit. They let a man stand out and send a message about his personality.
Based on how the cufflinks will be used
To choose the right pair of cufflinks to give, first consider how they'll be used. Are you buying this gift for a special occasion, such as a wedding? In that case, classic cufflinks are generally more appreciated than very original ones. If they're meant to be worn on the big day, remember to match them to the tie or bow tie.
You might also consider their everyday use. For example, a man working in a sector such as banking will likely wear more classic cufflinks at work. Perhaps he'd appreciate a touch of originality for evenings out with friends? Conversely, a role that calls on his creativity probably lets him express his originality through details like this.
So, the first thing to consider for your gift: are you giving classic cufflinks, or ones with a more whimsical style?
Based on the look of the cufflinks
Next comes choosing the cufflink design based on its look. Here, it all depends on your preferences and those of the gift's recipient. There's something for every taste and every budget. So you'll need to consider several factors.
- Their shape: round or square are the main cufflink shapes.
- The material of the structure: mainly metal (steel for the most affordable, but also silver, gold, platinum or brass). Others can be entirely plastic or silk-knot.
- Their colour: some are fully metallic, while others are coloured. Certain classic designs can be enhanced with understated colours.
- The decorative material: for the most original cufflinks, many materials can be used. Motifs can be in enamel, mother-of-pearl, wood, leather, or even silk.
- The shape of the closure: there are different types of cufflink closures. The most common is the swivel, or T-back. It's fairly easy to fasten to a shirt. That said, round, snap, or chain closures also exist. Here, it's trickier to choose without being the one wearing them. Unless you know the man you're buying for particularly dislikes one type, there's no need to worry too much about it.
Where to find cufflinks?
In shops
Some retailers sell cufflinks in physical shops. This can be a good option if you'd rather see the design before buying it, to check the details — or if you're a little short on time to get your gift. You'll find them in menswear shops. These will be the most affordable, with simple materials. Jewellers also sell them, particularly in silver. That said, keep in mind that the designs on offer will mostly be fairly classic.
Online
You'll find cufflinks in every style online. Whether you want to go for a whimsical or more classic pair, simply compare the different designs based on your criteria of price, colour and material. The advantage of the web: you'll have far more choice than in a shop. That said, you'll need to make sure your chosen design is in stock. You'll also need to allow a few days for delivery, whether to your home or a collection point.
Our tips for choosing the right pair of cufflinks
- If you're torn between two items, for example a classic pair of cufflinks and a more original one, go for the understated design. It can be worn on any occasion. Unless the price allows you to buy both: then they'll complement each other nicely.
- Present your gift in a lovely box that shows it off.
- Perhaps you're planning to order your gift online. In that case, check that the item you want is actually in stock. Also make sure it will be delivered on time.
- You might want to round out your gift. Why not give a matching accessory alongside it? This could be a tie, a bow tie, a watch, or even a French-cuff shirt.
- If you know the recipient of these cufflinks well, you could even place a personalised order. In the 1960s, some companies gave their employees cufflinks bearing the company logo. This practice is no longer common, but you can pay tribute to someone dear to you by having their cufflinks engraved — with their initials, perhaps, or a symbol that means a lot to them.
- For a man you're not especially close to, black remains a sober, timeless colour for cufflinks. The same goes for metallic-toned designs, which go with any shirt.
We also recommend these other pages:
- How to choose your cufflinks
- Buying personalised or made-to-order cufflinks?
- Collecting cufflinks
- Menswear and cufflinks
To find the perfect gift, explore our full men's cufflinks collection: our ready-to-give gift sets, our personalised cufflinks, or our elegant designs for any occasion.
Our best sellers: {productsoncms_2}