Cufflinks are considered the ultimate accessory for an elegant outfit. As well as keeping shirt cuffs closed, they bring a personal touch to a suit that helps you stand out. That's why refinement lovers and fashionistas alike are devoted to cufflinks.
When a man puts on a shirt and tie, a pair of cufflinks is the detail that completes the look. Perhaps that's you? Do you love this detail that makes all the difference, and enjoy finding a new pair suited to a particular occasion? It could also be a family heirloom: cufflinks are jewellery passed down from father to son, sometimes across several generations. Whatever the case, if you're particularly fond of cufflinks, collecting them can be a wonderfully enjoyable hobby. To guide you in getting started, this page offers some pointers for beginning your collection.
A brief history of cufflinks
The exact date cufflinks were invented remains unknown. Some objects similar to our cufflinks have been found in an Egyptian sarcophagus. However, nothing tells us how they were used, so we can't know for certain whether these items were meant to hold garment cuffs together like our cufflinks do today.
Until the 16th century, shirt sleeves were closed using ribbons. The cufflink was then reserved for the nobility, a symbol of luxury. Made of precious metal, it could depict important events such as a wedding. It was in the 19th century that this men's accessory became more widespread, alongside the industrial era and the use of more common materials.
During the first half of the 20th century came the golden age of the cufflink. It was worn on special occasions, by every social class, just like the tie. Cufflinks were a mark of distinction, an outfit detail that made all the difference. In the 1960s, some companies commissioned designs bearing their logo, which they distributed to employees. From the mid-1970s, cufflinks fell out of favour, becoming seen as old-fashioned by the 1980s.
Then, from the 1990s onward, some luxury jewellers revived the concept of the cufflink, creating genuine pieces of jewellery. Designers turned them into fashion accessories. Today, cufflinks are a mark of elegance, highly prized by fashionistas.
As part of a cufflink collection, you'll mainly come across cufflinks from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The common thread of your cufflink collection
If you want to start a cufflink collection, begin by defining a common thread for it. To make sure you enjoy building it over time, it's best to choose a guiding theme that's relatively easy to follow. For example, if you decide to collect 16th-century cufflinks, that will certainly demand more energy, time and investment than a collection based on humorous motifs. Just make sure your choice won't make you lose your enthusiasm for collecting. To help you think it through, here are a few ideas.
Period cufflinks
You might prefer a particular era. For example, if you're a history buff, 19th-century cufflinks. Those predating the 1850s are much rarer, due to manufacturing methods that didn't allow for large-scale production.
Cufflinks of the same shape
You could focus your collection on a particular shape. This could be the shape of the closure (T-back, snap, round, etc.). You might also prefer a particular geometric shape (round, square, etc.).
Cufflinks of the same material
Some prefer cufflinks in precious metals (solid silver, gold, platinum), others with precious or semi-precious stones. It could also be about details in mother-of-pearl, wood, or leather for more recent designs. Steel is today the most commonly used material for making them. Silk-knot cufflinks come in countless colours. Their advantage: they suit most budgets. This is, in fact, a very popular cufflink for a young man. If you have little money to devote to your collection, they'll let you start out gently.
A single colour for your cufflinks
Perhaps you'd like to select coloured cufflinks. This is an original approach that can be great fun. Whether black, white, pink… follow your own taste.
Original cufflinks
You could choose to collect only original cufflinks. Whether a brand-new design or an older cufflink model, you'll have plenty to add to your collection as you make new discoveries. Old original pieces include, for example, cufflinks commissioned by companies in the 1960s, bearing the company logo. More than one great French luxury house, in Paris, creates bold designs that will nicely round out your cufflink collection.
You can also use these suggestions to organise the classification of your cufflink collection. After all, it should be logical.
How to care for your cufflink collection?
Once you own several pairs of cufflinks for your collection, it's important to take care of them. To do this, you can clean them regularly with a jewellery cloth.
It's best to avoid exposing your cufflinks to high levels of humidity. This could tarnish the metal or stone, or even cause the leather on your cufflink to grow mould.
To store them, there are cases designed for cufflinks, much like a jewellery or tie case.
From time to time, for cufflinks in precious metal or set with stones, don't hesitate to take them to an experienced jeweller. They can give them suitable treatment to restore their full shine without damaging the materials.
Where to find cufflinks to grow your collection?
There are several ways to find your next additions to the collection.
- On the internet: no borders, and you can buy a pair of cufflinks in just a few clicks. That said, pay close attention to the description, study the photo carefully, and don't hesitate to ask for more details about the item. Also check the delivery details (whether it's free, for example). This is where you'll find the widest selection.
- On second-hand marketplaces: you can turn on notifications to be emailed as soon as a cufflink listing is posted.
- In shops: if you're going for a jewellery-style cufflink collection, visit jewellers to see their current collections, mainly in silver. The advantage: the item is available immediately, with no need to wait for delivery. Plus, you won't be misled about quality by a photo — you'll be certain the cufflinks match your taste.
- In antique or vintage shops: you can discover genuine treasures when it comes to cufflinks.
- At flea markets: it's not uncommon for individuals to want to get rid of what they consider outdated items. You can find vintage cufflinks at a great price, with no delivery involved.
Our tips for collecting your cufflinks well
- The main thing when building a cufflink collection that reflects you is to follow your own tastes. Shape it to your liking. What matters is the pleasure you get from finding and acquiring a new piece.
- Don't hesitate to make a list of your selection criteria for cufflinks and share it with loved ones. They might just surprise you with a pair of cufflinks that perfectly rounds out your collection.
- Unlike collectable items kept in books, cufflinks can be protected in suitable boxes.
- Don't forget to enjoy your cufflink collection. While you should take good care of it, don't hesitate to wear your pieces whenever you put on a tie. Cufflinks are, above all, a men's fashion accessory. You could even match them with your socks, bow tie or tie. Silver cufflinks can be worn with any type of shirt.
- If you order your acquisitions online, check the delivery terms and timeframes, as well as the price. Make sure the item is in stock. Don't hesitate to ask for an extra photo to see all the details of the design.
- Perhaps someone you know already collects cufflinks. Talk with them about your shared passion and your discoveries. That said, don't try to copy their approach — a collection is personal, and reflects certain facets of each individual. That's what makes it so charming.
- Keep a log: note down where you bought each pair of cufflinks, the date, possibly the price, and its era if you know it.
We also recommend these other pages:
- How to choose your cufflinks
- Giving cufflinks as a gift
- Buying personalised or made-to-order cufflinks?
- Menswear and cufflinks
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