Giving your son his first pair of cufflinks is rather more than a present. It is a rite of passage: you are handing him a grown-up accessory that will accompany his important moments, and often a little piece of yourself too. You still need to pick the right moment, the right design and the right way to give it. Here is our advice.
Why give your son cufflinks?
A gift that marks a milestone
Cufflinks belong to the occasions when you take care over how you dress: an interview, a ceremony, a first suit. Giving them to a young man tells him he is entering that world, and that you trust him to hold his own in it.
Something that lasts
Unlike many gifts, a pair of cufflinks never goes out of fashion and barely wears. Stored properly, it can stay with him for decades, and perhaps one day pass to the next generation.
A bond between parent and child
Showing your son how to fold a double cuff and fasten his cufflinks is one of those small skills passed down in families, like tying a tie. And it is just as true for mothers as for fathers.
When to give them
- His 18th birthday: the coming of age, and the most obvious symbol of all.
- Finishing school or graduating: a way to celebrate the work done and open the next chapter.
- His first job interview or first job: a useful gift that will help him look the part. Our guide to wearing cufflinks to a job interview covers the essentials.
- His wedding: given on the morning of the ceremony, they become a keepsake of the day.
- A first suit, a graduation ceremony, a religious ceremony: every occasion when he dresses up properly for the first time.
Which design for a first pair of cufflinks?
The safe choice: understated and versatile
For a first pair, choose a design that goes with everything: silver-tone metal, round or rectangular, perhaps with a touch of mother-of-pearl or onyx. He can wear it to an interview as easily as to a wedding. Our selection of classic cufflinks is a good place to start.
The nod: a design that reflects him
For a younger son, or if you want the gift to make him smile, pick a motif linked to his passion: a football for the footballer, a guitar for the musician, a character for the film buff, a symbol of his future profession. Our novelty cufflinks cover most interests, from sport and music to professions.
The keepsake: a personalised design
A date, initials, a family crest, a photo: personalised cufflinks turn the gift into a one-of-a-kind piece. Discover our personalised cufflinks, and allow for a longer making time than for a pair in stock.
The best of both: two pairs
One understated pair “for the big occasions” and one fun pair “just for the pleasure of it”: this is often the duo that gets worn the most.
Don't forget the shirt
A young man doesn't always own a shirt with double cuffs (or convertible cuffs), which you need in order to wear cufflinks. Check his wardrobe before giving the gift, or complete it with a double-cuff shirt. Our guide Which shirt to wear with cufflinks? explains the different types of cuff.
How to make the gift memorable
- A presentation box: our cufflinks come in a gift box, so there is no need for improvised wrapping.
- A handwritten note: a few lines about the occasion, what you wish for him, or the story of your own first cufflinks.
- A demonstration: take five minutes to show him how to put them on; our step-by-step guide How to put on cufflinks makes a handy cheat sheet.
- Passing it on: if you own an old pair you treasure, giving it alongside a new pair adds real depth to the gesture.
Teaching him to wear them
Ideally, the gift comes with a few simple tips. The shirt cuff should show about a centimetre below the jacket sleeve, so that the cufflinks are visible. The metals in the outfit (watch, belt buckle, cufflinks) look best in the same tone. And the more original the motif, the more understated the rest of the outfit should be. To help him put together his first outfits, our guides on matching cufflinks to your shirt and to your tie are good starting points.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should you give cufflinks?
There is no minimum age, but the gift means most when he has the chance to wear them: a first suit, his 18th birthday, graduation, a first job.
Classic or original design?
If you are giving a single first pair, a classic design is the most versatile. If you can give two, combine an understated pair with one that reflects his tastes.
My son doesn't have a suitable shirt. What should I do?
He needs a shirt with double or convertible cuffs. Give one together with the cufflinks: the gift is then complete and ready to wear straight away.
Can cufflinks be engraved?
Yes, some designs can be personalised with initials, a date or a symbol. Allow extra time for them to be made.
