How to Wear Cufflinks? A Complete Guide to Men’s Cufflinks

You have your designer suit, matching tie, leather belt and shoes all ready but still feel that you're missing out on something that will make you look more confident. Upgrade your fashion sense and instantly get that chic and polished look to your outfit with a nice pair of cufflinks.

If you're a man who pays attention to detail, cufflinks are a must-have for your wardrobe. But before you buy the first piece of these luxurious items, you should know how to wear cufflinks, when to wear cufflinks.

Not many jewellery items for men are both so essentially functional and ornamental at the same time and cufflinks are one of those items.

How to Wear Cufflinks?

We have listed basic steps to wear cufflinks with different types of shirts. Though there are a lot of different designs and locking mechanisms for cufflinks - the basic mechanism is essentially the same. The large head or "insert member" has a decorative face and a post extends from its back. Additionally, hinged toggle wings out from the post. Fasten a shirt by sliding through holes on either side of the cuff opening and holding the sides together by swinging the toggle into a locked position.

In order to wear cufflinks, the shirt cuffs must have buttonholes to insert cufflinks. In other words, you need a long-sleeved shirt with the holes in the cuff. This means that cufflinks cannot be worn with any shirt. So, before wearing cufflinks, you must have a shirt like French Cuff Shirt that can be paired with cufflinks. 

How to Wear Cufflinks with a French Cuff Shirt?

In order to wear cufflinks, French cuff shirts are the most appropriate option. These are the type of shirts that do not have buttons on the cuffs and but have buttonholes to wear cufflinks. The cuffs of these shirts are twice as long as the normal cuffs and can be folded back while pairing up with cufflinks. Here are the steps to wear cufflinks in a proper way with a French Cuff Shirt:

1. Fold the cuffs back and align the cufflink buttonholes. On folding back, double-layered cuffs will be created lining up four buttonholes.
2. Now, insert the cufflink through the holes. While inserting cufflink, make sure that the front part i.e. the decorative part is outwardly displayed when arms are at your side.
3. Close the clasp of the cufflinks to hold them in their place.

How to Wear Cufflinks with a Convertible Cuff Shirt?

A convertible cuff shirt is a type of shirt with buttoned cuffs and has an extra buttonhole to insert cufflink. Here are the steps to wear cufflinks with a convertible cuff shirt

1. Keeping the shirt cuffs unbuttoned, align the cufflink buttonholes and make sure that the interiors of the cuffs are pressing against each other.
2. Push the back of the cufflink through the buttonholes while making sure that the decorative part is outwardly displayed.
3. Close the clasp of the cufflinks to hold them in their place.

How to Wear Cufflinks on a Regular Shirt?

Regular shirt here means a shirt with buttons on the cuff. Generally, it is not easy to wear cufflinks with a regular shirt unless it has extra buttonholes. However, you can modify or alter your regular shirt into a cufflink-friendly shirt. You can approach the nearest tailor and ask him to create a buttonhole using buttonhole maker or cutter. Once you have extra buttonholes on your regular shirt, you can follow the steps mentioned above to wear cufflinks.

Types of Cufflinks

Cufflinks are fashionable alternatives to buttons that are sewn onto shirt cuffs and just like buttons, they come in many styles, sizes, shapes and materials. Talking about materials, gold, silver and platinum are obvious favorites. Sterling silver cufflinks are quite popular because of their quality and smooth finish. Following are the different types of cufflink designs:

• Whale Back Cufflinks – Whale Back Cufflinks consist of a flat head, a straight post, and a ‘whale tail’ that flips flat against the post.
• Bullet Back Cufflinks – From the name, it is clear that these cufflinks have a bullet-shaped back. These are one of the most popular types of cufflinks.
• Chain Link Cufflinks – In these cufflinks, the two ends are connected by a chain thereby allowing for a looser cuff.
• Fixed Back Cufflinks – Also known as button style cufflinks, these cufflinks have no moving part and are slightly difficult to wear than other cufflinks.
• Ball Return Cufflinks – A more contemporary style, Ball Return cufflinks use a chain link and have a ball-shaped back.
• Locking Cufflinks – Artistically designed, these cufflinks have a dual locking system to secure cufflink in its place.
• Knotted Cufflinks – One of the most affordable choices of cufflinks, Knotted Cufflinks are somewhat similar to chain link cufflinks and have a short cord connecting the two ends.

Start by understanding the different materials/types and styles to pick out the perfect cufflinks that match the occasion and your style. Though cufflinks are traditionally part of men's formal and semi-formal evening wear, these versatile pieces of jewellery can fill several wardrobe roles.

When to Wear Cufflinks

Cufflinks serve as a formal and semi-formal alternative to buttons. There is no specific rule or occasion to wear cufflinks. You can wear them whenever or wherever you want. However, most men prefer to wear cufflinks in business or formal meetings to accentuate the formal outfit. But it is not a good idea to wear cufflinks every day to work.

You can wear cufflinks when meeting with clients or conferences or attending any formal work-related event.

Can you wear cufflinks casually?

Yes, you can wear cufflinks casually. These can be worn with a casual evening outfit or with a party-wear. You should feel free to wear cufflinks at social events including weddings, parties, receptions. Cufflinks add a touch of elegance to men’s outfits but you should be careful about the choice of cufflinks. These stylish pieces of jewellery should complement your look and personality and not overpower it.

At Fourseven, you will find a wide variety of cufflinks for different occasions. For a less formal look, pair your shirt or sports jacket with funkier cufflinks like Howzzat Cufflinks, Chai Cutting Cufflinks, or the Auto Rickshaw Cufflinks.

For business meetings or formal events, a decorative cufflink (that is not too distractive) would add that touch of refined sophistication. Cufflinks can also be great conversation starters. Feel confident during your next handshake while wearing meaningful cufflinks like the Atharva Cufflinks, Vajra Cufflinks and Knight's Move Cufflinks.

Show your love for the country by wearing cufflinks like Jai Hind India Cufflinks, Ashok Chakra Wheel of Progress Cufflinks. Flaunt your passion for photography with Capture the Moment DSLR Camera Cufflinks.

Now you might have known the basics of wearing cufflinks. Start building your cufflink collection today with Fourseven.