What are cufflinks ?

Cufflinks are used to fasten the two portions of a french cuff on a dress shirt.
A part of the cufflink must be sized to fit through the button-hole of the cuff. The other part is positioned on the most visible side of the cuff. Both parts are linked together by a chain or a solid bar.
There is a large variety of designs and construction details.

Silk knots, an elegant alternative to cufflinks !

Silk knots are sometimes called monkey's fists because it looks like a small bunched fist.
Made of silk, they are a convenient and economical solution to fastening cuffs.
Silk knots are available in one-two or three tone colors. they come in an incredible range of colors.
As well as cufflinks, you can worn them in formal occasions.
Cheaper doesn't mean less elegant!

History of cufflinks

The first cufflinks appeared in the early 17th century.
They were an original alternative to ribbons and lace to retain handles.
Considering at the begining as a personal adornment, it was reserved to the high social class population.

In the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, the development of precious metal electroplating afforded the masses to get cuffinks in their wardrobe.
A wide variety of mechanisms for open and closing cufflinks appeared: the classic chain is replaced by the flip-hinge.
Jewellers like Cartier and Tiffany crafted work of art cufflinks in mother of pearl, crystal, precious stones...
These famous fashion names establish cufflinks as the essential accessory for men.

Miror of our history, cufflinks espouse centuries through various designs: art deco at the end of 19th century, extravagant in the period 1940-1950, eccentric in 1960 with Holywood stars and whimsical today.
Thanks to new designers as Paul Smith or Gucci, cufflinks are back to the fashion stage: cufflinks will continue to add the right kind of suave sophistication.

How to wear cufflinks ?

Cuff links must be worn with a french cuff shirt. It's a shirt with holes at the cuffs where the cuff links would be placed.
Besides rings and watches, cuff links are one of the few jewelry accessories that a man wears.
Cuff links will be even more visible than when worn with a suit jacket.
As a general rule, cuff links should match the tone of your belt buckle, watch or wedding band that a man wears.
The choice of stone, color, or style of the cufflink is purely personal, but should be consistent with the type of event you are attending.
For example, novelty cufflinks should be worn in a a more casual usage.

How to link cufflinks on cuffs ?

There are different types of cufflinks.

For cufflinks with a T-shape (the most common of all cufflinks backings):
- close the swivel bar and insert the cuff link through the holes from the outside,
- Then open the swivel bar to secure the cuff.

For cufflinks with a shackle (a chain link):
These traditionnal cufflinks require agility to put them on, but they offer a design on both sides of the cuff.
- Put one of the extremity (the smaller side if there is one) inside the hole of your cuff.

For cufflinks with a mushroom-shaped end:
These cufflinks have no moving parts. There are much more solid.
- Put the mushroom-shaped end through the holes from the outside.

To remove cufflinks, reverse.

Different materials for cufflinks

Thanks to the different materials used to manufacture cufflinks, these little but elegant men's jewels have become increasingly popular.
Ranging from rhodium plated to sterling silver to wood to fabric, cufflinks are available in scores of styles.
Even if precious metal are more expensive, as other jewels, your cufflinks in genuine gold or sterling silver will last for a lifetime.
Most of cufflinks marked as silver tone ar in fact plated with rhodium.
Rhodium, belongs to the platinum group and is one of the most expensive precious metal.
It is currently used in jewelry because it prevents tarnish and scratches better than silver.

Charles Tyrwhitt (2006) - Stripe Square Cufflinks

A fun and bright pair of multicolor stripes cufflinks.
These cufflinks are bright and colourful and very individual.
Shop: Charles Tyrwhitt
Website: http://www.ctshirts.co.uk

Charles Tyrwhitt (2006) - CT Logo Sterling Silver Cufflinks

An elegant pair of sterling silver cufflinks with the Charles Tyrwhitt logo.
All luxury sterling silver cufflinks are made from the finest components. 925 Silver.
Shop: Charles Tyrwhitt
Website: http://www.ctshirts.co.uk

Charles Tyrwhitt (2006) - Sky Spot Oval Cufflinks

A fun and bright pair of sky blue oval cufflinks with purple spots.
These cufflinks are bright and colourful and very individual.
Shop: Charles Tyrwhitt
Website: http://www.ctshirts.co.uk

Tateossian London (2006) - Square Puzzle Cufflinks

Rhodium plated cufflinks crystallized with multicolor swarovski.
You will find them in the swarovski crystal cufflinks collection of Tateossian.
Shop: Tateossian London
Website: http://www.tateossian.co.uk

Tateossian London (2006) - Traffic Dumbell Cufflinks

Rhodium plated ocean blue fibre optic glass cufflinks.
You will find them in the fibre optic cufflinks collection of Tateossian.
Shop: Tateossian London
Website: http://www.tateossian.co.uk

Tateossian London (2006) - Globe Cufflinks

Globe cufflinks in sterling silver.
You will find them in the silver cufflinks collection of Tateossian.
The sterling silver frame is designed in a way to allow the globe of lapis and semi precious stones to rotate or rest gently on the cuff.
Shop: Tateossian London
Website: http://www.tateossian.co.uk

Dunhill (2006) - Bulldog Cufflinks

Sterling silver bulldog cufflinks.
The quintessentially British bulldog cufflinks are beautifully crafted in intricate detail and individually hand polished, these cufflinks give the wearer an air of quirky elegance and individuality.
Shop: Alfred Dunhill
Website: http://store.dunhill.com

Dunhill (2006) - Sidecar Cufflinks

Sterling silver black sidecar cufflinks.
Inspired by the limited edition Sidecar limousette pen, the use of the logo in the centre-point combines beautifully with the sterling silver and contrasting black lacquer.
Shop: Alfred Dunhill
Website: http://store.dunhill.com

Dunhill (2006) - Capsule Cufflinks

Sterling silver capsule cufflinks.
Made from solid brass, then luxuriously plated with gold and platinum, these excellent pieces further extend the highly original, dunhill Capsule family.
Shop: Alfred Dunhill
Website: http://store.dunhill.com

Opalona

Forzieri

Paul Smith - Pin Up

Cufflinks with a naked lady print in ceramic.
Shop: Paul Smith
Website: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk

Paul Smith - Stripe Cufflinks

Men's multistripe cufflinks with signature logo.
Shop: Paul Smith
Website: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk