How to choose cufflinks

How To Choose Cufflinks

Cufflinks were developed in the French court more than 300 years ago. Today they remain an elegant way to fasten your shirt sleeves, and are the best way to wear French cuffs. Choosing the right cufflinks for you can be an involved process. Following these tips, you will be able to choose cufflinks that suit your personality and your style.

1. Take a look in your closet. What color schemes predominate? If you have warmer, earthier colors, like browns or burgundy, 14k gold cufflinks are a sleek choice. On the other hand, if you have darker tones like greens and blues, a silver cufflink will better balance your suit. Black can be paired with either a silver cufflink or 14k gold cufflinks.

2. Cufflink design corresponds with the occasion. If you are wearing a French cuffed shirt to the office or to a business dinner, you can aspire towards a more contemporary design like the paua shell cufflink. A more classic design, with inscribed initials perhaps, would be suitable also, but it would not be vogue to wear a more contemporary design to a formal dinner or with a tuxedo. For formal occasions, a silver cufflink or 14k gold cufflinks are ideal, especially when paired with a semi-precious stone like hematite, which comes in non-overpowering colors like gray and brown.

3. Novelty cufflinks are fun and can often be centerpieces of conversation. Bone cufflinks or brightly colored cufflinks work well for parties and pastel colored shirts. In general, however, it’s better to be dressed up than dressed down.

4. Cufflinks come in different sizes and shapes. There are round, oval and square cufflinks, and each design projects a different image. Of course, for the sake of variety it is nice to have more than one style, especially since shape does not correspond to occasion.

5. Look around. Don’t settle on the first thing you see because you may be disappointed (and not have enough money) when you see something else. Also, make sure that the cufflinks are scratch free. Many cufflinks can have scratches even though they have not left the jewelry store.

6. Put on the cufflink by closing the swivel bar and inserting it through the hole of the front and the back of your cuff. Then open the swivel bar.

7. You can match your cufflinks with your tie, ring or even with your mens pocket watch. Cufflinks are a great way to add some flair and class to your suit. As with any other fashion item, it’s important to choose something that you like and that you feel comfortable wearing. Secondary are stylistic and matching factors. Don’t be afraid to spend a lot of money on cufflinks; you should have them forever if you take care of them, like with any luxury item. You can always build a collection, as you would with ties or shirts, in order to have a pair for every occasion, or just for the sake of variety. So now that you know what to look for, go on out there and start shopping.