A funny present need not end up at the back of a drawer. Novelty cufflinks have a rare gift: they raise a smile when they are unwrapped, then again every time they are worn. They slip into a serious outfit without making it look silly, and they often start a conversation. Here are seven ideas to get it right, and a few tips to avoid the gift that falls flat.
Why give funny cufflinks?
Because they strike a rare balance: an elegant, useful object that says something about the person who receives it. Dark suits and white shirts all look much alike; a pair of cufflinks shaped like a chilli pepper or a frog, far less so. It is the detail that makes people say, “That is so him.”
1. Animals: pick his spirit animal
The great classic of fun cufflinks. The secret is to choose an animal that means something: one he collects, one he resembles, the one behind his nickname, or simply his pet. Frog, penguin, crab, giraffe, eagle: our animal cufflinks category is quite the menagerie. Our guide to animal cufflinks offers ideas for every personality.
2. Superheroes and pop culture
For the comic-book reader, the superhero-film fan or the child of the 1980s: crime-fighters’ logos, science-fiction characters, ghost hunters. These designs work particularly well for a birthday or Father’s Day. Browse our superhero cufflinks and our Star Wars selection.
3. Everyday objects, reimagined
A moustache, a strawberry, chilli peppers, a battery, a screw, a camera: the gap between the formality of the shirt and the ordinariness of the object is the whole charm of these designs. This is often the category that draws the most smiles, and you will find it all in our unusual cufflinks.
4. His profession, with a wink
A stethoscope for the doctor, a set square for the engineer or architect, the π symbol for the mathematician, the bull and the bear for the man who follows the stock market: cufflinks linked to someone’s job always hit the mark, especially for a promotion, a leaving do or a graduation. Every idea is in our Professions category.
5. Lego bricks
Those little coloured bricks bring instant nostalgia. As cufflinks, they add a bold, graphic touch of colour that works surprisingly well with a white shirt and a navy suit. Our Lego selection comes in several colours.
6. His passion on his cuffs
Guitar, drums, piano, football, tennis ball, golf club, vintage car, aeroplane: when you know what someone loves, the gift almost chooses itself. Our Music and Sports & games sections are the best stocked.
7. A pair for every day of the week
A tempting idea for the man who wears cufflinks every day: seven different pairs, one per day. Without going as far as seven novelty designs, our silk knot gift sets bring together seven pairs of braided knots in different colours, presented in a jar, such as The 7 days of the week. A gift that is fun, colourful and very practical all at once.
How to get a humorous gift right
Start with the person, not the joke
Successful funny cufflinks evoke something specific about the person receiving them: a nickname, a shared memory, a passion. A design that is “funny in general” has less effect than one that is “funny for him”.
Think about when he will wear them
A man who wears a suit every day will appreciate a discreet design whose motif can only be read up close. One who dresses up only for weddings and parties can go for something more visible.
Check the shirt
No double (French) cuffs or convertible cuffs, no cufflinks. If in doubt, our guide Which shirt for cufflinks? will help.
Take care over the presentation
Our cufflinks arrive in a presentation box: all that is left is to add a note.
How to wear funny cufflinks with elegance
The secret comes down to one word: contrast. The more whimsical the motif, the more understated the rest of the outfit should be. A white or sky-blue shirt, a plain navy or grey suit, a tie without a pattern: the cufflinks then become the only wink, and they work all the better for it. Keep your metals consistent with your watch and belt buckle, too. Our guide to humorous cufflinks explores these style rules in more depth.
Frequently asked questions
Are funny cufflinks elegant?
Yes, as long as they are paired with a well-groomed outfit: the contrast between an impeccable suit and a playful motif is precisely where their charm lies.
Can you wear humorous cufflinks to work?
In most workplaces, yes, provided the design stays a reasonable size. For an important meeting, choose a more understated pair.
And at a wedding?
For a guest, a fun but discreet design goes down very well. The groom and his best men can also choose a shared nod, such as a motif linked to their story.
