At first, cufflinks were actually buttons, safety pins, zippers, or velcro (adhesive). Fortunately, progress has been made since the first cufflinks were invented. Cufflinks are a great way to add personal style to a suit or shirt. With so many shapes today, they're also a great way to support your favorite team, celebrate a wedding, or complete a look.
Step
Step 1. Wear the right shirt
Wear a shirt with french (or double) cuffs. This type of shirt has extra long cuffs without buttons and holes on each side.
Step 2. Fold the cuffs back, making sure they are neat and even to the ends of the sleeves
Step 3. Hold the cuffs together
Hold the two open edges of the shirt cuffs. Unlike buttoned cuffs where one side of the cuff is folded inside the other, with buttoned cuffs, both sides are flat away from the wrist as shown above.
Step 4. Align the holes
Make sure the holes for the cufflinks are aligned.
Step 5. Insert the cufflinks and secure
When your arms are at your sides, the decorative part of the cufflinks should be facing out. The way you secure a cufflink will vary greatly depending on the model of the cufflink:
- Bullet cover (Bullet back closure) - The most common of all cufflinks and the easiest to wear. This model has the form of a torpedo or bullet, a capsule suspended between the two posts. The bullet can be flipped on its axis to manipulate it through the buttonhole in the cuff, and then flipped in a horizontal direction to secure the cufflink on the shirt.
- Whale back closure - This model features a straight post combined with a flat and strong whale tail which flips flat for insertion, and flips back to secure the cuffs.
- Fixed cover (Fixed Backing) - This model is an extension of the cufflink front. This means that the post and cover are made of the same metal as the front of the cufflink. The cover does not bend or move in any way. It takes more effort to install, but has the long-term advantage of having fixed parts.
- Chain (Chain Link) - The most traditional form of a cufflink is a chain. The cufflink chain is the original form of the cufflink and is found most often in British manufactured goods. Characteristically the chain has two sides which are joined together with the chain. Since dexterity is required to install it, this is of course for the cufflink expert level. The advantage of this model is that there can be seen from both sides of the cuff. In addition, chain cufflinks usually allow for loose cuffs.
- Reversible (Reversible) - Fixed cufflink closure which has a design on the back, rather than a fixed plain disc. Allows for an attractive design on both sides of the cuff and allows you to change what is shown on the main side of the cuff, such as having 2 pairs in one.
- Ball Return - Chain cufflinks where the closure is composed of silver or gold balls. The upside is that it's very easy to put on and you get the benefit of the looseness of the chain cover. The ball is also more attractive than a bullet or plain fixed cover.
Tips
- Avoid upscale local boutiques when buying cufflinks, as they are very expensive.
- Make sure to use cufflinks that match your outfit and occasion.
- Be careful not to use cufflinks which are either too flashy or too casual for a formal event.
- Cufflinks are perfect for groomsmen gifts because they allow you to get something that perfectly matches the personality of each groomsmen.
- Attach the cufflinks before putting on the shirt, so you can use both hands.
- Be sure to shop online when buying cufflinks as local stores may not have a decent selection.
