What are Cufflinks, The details determine success or failure
Men are much more exquisite than women. Although they don’t have a variety of hair accessories and jewelry, but precisely because of this, they spend more time and effort on the few men’s accessories they have, paying more attention to details and quality. The materials, styles, and production methods of individual men’s accessories are far beyond people’s imagination. For men who are particular about taste, cufflinks are perhaps the smallest decoration besides rings. Because they are mostly made of precious metals, and some are inlaid with diamonds and gemstones, they have been endowed with the aristocratic halo since their birth. Cufflinks have therefore become the only item to measure a man’s taste, and selecting, matching, and using them are all a science for men.
What are cufflinks?
There are many different opinions about the origin of cufflinks, but the more recognized version is that it is related to Napoleon. First, three copper buttons were nail on the upper side of the sleeves, and later gradually evolved into cufflinks on shirts.
In the Victorian era of the 19th century, metal silver chains replaced the ribbons on shirt cuffs, which was the prototype of cufflinks. Later, in order to meet the aesthetic needs, gemstones were inlaid on both ends of the silver chain. The richer the family, the more precious the gems. Therefore, cufflinks were also use to measure a man’s social status. From then on, almost all middle-class and aristocratic men would use cufflinks, which became an indispensable part of a gentleman’s clothing.
The Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century also brought about a cufflink revolution. Cufflinks were no longer buttons and small chains, but became rods or buttons to facilitate one-handed wearing. With the rapid change of fashion trends, shirt designers quickly changed their design patterns and designed shirts that could be worn with cufflinks directly. For this reason, starting in the 19th century, men from all walks of life began to be obsessed with cufflinks, and the occasions for wearing cufflinks were no longer limited to formal occasions, and gradually formed a fusion fashion with casual wear.Why wear cufflinks?
Quality
“Quality is reflected in details” is a yardstick to measure men’s living standards. So when most men pay attention to their external appearance, men with taste have obviously surpassed this level and started to highlight themselves through details such as cufflinks.
In modern society, men are already good enough to wear a suit well. Wearing cufflinks is a matter of personal preference, but for many formal occasions, cufflinks are a must-have accessory. For men who often need to wear formal clothes, it may give people the impression that they are too serious and formal, and a tie that is too fancy may not be solemn enough. Cufflinks, with their small visual size and inconspicuous position, have become an important territory for men to show their personality.
How to use cufflinks
For men who are using cufflinks for the first time, they should note that not all shirts can be paired with cufflinks. Cufflinks need to be paired with shirts with French double cuffs.
The two sides of the French shirt cuffs have holes and no buttons. We call the side of the cuff that touches the skin the A side, and the other side the B side. The cufflink shirt has the A sides of the cuffs touching each other, and then the needle connecting the “button” part of the cufflink is passed down from the cuff on the back of the hand, and then passed out from the cuff on the palm side, and fixed.
Types of Cufflinks
● Bullet cufflinks
One of the most common styles on the market. It is also designed for convenience in modern society. There is a so-called bullet-shaped metal rod on the back, which can rotate 360 degrees. When it is erected, it is convenient for you to pass through your four-layer shirt sleeves, that is, you can wear it alone. However, this style is also the lowest and ugliest. It is bright on the surface, but terrible on the back. It has no decorative effect.
● Whale tail cufflinks
The name “whale tail” vividly summarizes the characteristics of this type of cufflinks: it has a relatively large and smooth front end and a straight metal rod. The rear end buckle is like a whale’s tail, and it is 90 degrees perpendicular to the metal rod when fastened; because of its large size, it is very easy to wear. It is similar to bullet cufflinks, which is a change of soup but not the substance, and the exposed hardware structure. No matter how beautiful and expensive the front is, the jewelry is still diamonds, and the essence of losing beauty has not changed.
● Chain cufflinks
Chain cufflinks are the most traditional and original type of cufflinks, and they are also the most elegant. They have two identical “heads” connected by a short chain. Relatively speaking, they are not as tight as other styles. But the decorative patterns can be seen on both sides of the wearer’s cuffs. Prince Charles, who has the best taste in menswear, has been wearing the simplest K gold chain cufflinks for decades on any occasion.
● Knot cufflinks
These cufflinks are similar to chain cufflinks. But the two “heads” of the same shape are usually made of soft ropes such as silk rather than hard metal materials. These shape are like braided knots. This irregular surface weaving process makes the style more casual, especially for multi-colored woven cufflinks.
● Ball Cufflinks
The “needle” of this cufflink usually has a certain curvature, the head and tail are semicircular, the stem is also curved, and the two cufflinks together look like a ball. Usually the front end is made of gemstones or rare metals, and the size and weight of the front end directly affect the value of the entire cufflink.
● Button cufflinks
This type of button is specially used for formal wear and can also be used as cufflinks. This type of button is much better than the previous two types. It has a smaller flat button on the back. Which is slightly smaller than the one on the front, making it easier to pass through the buttonhole. Usually the material used on the front and back is the same. But this type of button is difficult for a bachelor to wear alone.
Common materials and applicable occasions of cufflinks
Formal occasions: Choose cufflinks made of gold, white gold, crystal, shell, agate and rose gold.
Casual occasions: Choose silk or sterling silver cufflinks.
A cufflink for every occasion: choose from cufflinks made of titanium, carbon fiber, enamel, glass, gunmetal, gemstones or stainless steel.
Cufflinks Brand
Many big brands sell cufflinks and have stores in China, so it is very convenient to buy them. However, they are not professional cufflink manufacturers, so there are not many choices.
● Deakin & Francis
Deakin & Francis is a long-established family business that makes jewelry and silverware. It was founded in 1786 and is now managed by the seventh-generation brothers James and Henry Deakin. For more than 200 years, the company has always been a tradition of high standards of craftsmanship and design. Designing more than 1,000 styles of cufflink, which are use by royal family members and celebrities around the world.
● Benson & Clegg
Benson & Clegg does not have a long history. As the name suggests, it is a tailor shop establish by Harry Benson and Thomas Clegg in 1937. It is located in the famous Piccadilly Arcade Jermyn Street, not in Savile Row (Piccadilly Arcade Jermyn Street).
Benson & Clegg has a long history with the British royal family. In 1944, it was granted a royal warrant by King George VI as the royal tailor. In 1992, it was granted a royal warrant by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles Sr. In fact, Prince Charles often wears custom-made clothes and accessories from this company. Such as the cufflink/cuff chains seen in the previous pictures.
● LONGMIRE
Longmire is an independent jeweller in the UK, located on Jermyn Street , and is an internationally renowned cufflink expert. The cufflink produced by this company were selected by Financial Times as not only cufflink, but also exquisite collectibles.
● Trianon
Trianon is a jeweler located in Manhattan, New York. It was in 1979. That mainly hand-makes cufflink, earrings, necklaces and other accessories. It is commit to using natural materials to make elegant accessories and is a very stylish company.
Many jewelers and big brands have men’s cufflink, but it is rare to find such an elegant design like Trianon.
Cufflink make men’s fashion more refined and make men’s dresses and suits more beautiful. Fashionable gentlemen use cufflink, a traditional accessory. To modestly show their taste and personality, highlight their quality and implicit attitude. Firmly distinguish themselves from the mediocre masses.
A group of men, standing in front of others, dressed appropriately, but inevitably all the same. When drinking and chatting, who is mediocre and who is outstanding. Their behavior will inevitably show it, don’t let the cufflink “betray” you.
