Cuff Links Basics

[pinchi22]

I like cufflinks because they let you express yourself a bit playfully. (Insert photo of hot and cold water cufflinks here!).

I tend to match the main color to the underlying color in my tie, though this may be my own perverse theory. Are there any other rules of thumb (or rules of wrist

)?

 

[Marchese]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

That's their proprietary design, that sets them apart from the pack. Even they will say so. The remainder of their stock is common to any number of purveyors.

Haha I know! But actually thier quality is unmatched and thier specially made ones are fantastic (like the crests).

 

[FLMountainMan]

I am not all that sartorially advanced

but I stick almost entirely to silver cufflinks - all my watches and belt buckles are of silver and I think it goes together well. My favorite pair is my family's coat of arms in sterling silver.

 

[Marchese]

But how can you have a coat of arms...you're American no? I'm quite intested in heraldry.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by Marchese

But how can you have a coat of arms...you're American no?

Many Americans are of European ancestry.

 

[LabelKing]

But he's in St.Petersburg. Florida, that is.

 

[Marchese]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

Many Americans are of European ancestry.

Yes but many are under the false belief that because thier name corresponds to another (e.g. Jones) they are armidious(spelling?). I'm not saying it's false or anything...just rare.

 

[FLMountainMan]

Wow, I said coat of arms for simplicity's sake, didn't know it would be dissected. It is, technically, the Clan Mac----- (my last name) crest. Sorry if I offended any Euros or heraldry afficianados.

Reminds me of the definition of a kilt from Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary - a garment now worn only by the Scottish in America and Americans in Scotland.

 

[treegarden]

Originally Posted by cuffthis

I don't really worry about matching my cufflinks with anything, other than to compliment my tie and pocket square. Most of the cufflinks I wear are antique enamel double-sided and snap type. As a result, you really don't see the underside metal of gold, silver or base metal. I usualy try and pick up a color in the enamel to my tie and/or pocket square.

As much as I LOVE cufflinks, I firmly believe they are not properly worn without a tie and suit. The only exception to this is with a blue blazer. IMHO, cufflinks are formal. Open collared shirts and sport coats are not.
I think they're OK with a suit but no tie.

This gives an opportunity to vent. I work for an investment bank (as of today, I should say; layoffs are coming). Dress is business casual. A very high proportion of young men wear shirts with turnback cuffs and cuff links--but no suit! Not even a jacket! And they apparently have never heard of collar stays, so their collars curl up, adding to their sorry looks!

As for me, I was wearing suits and cuff-linked shirts every day, but no tie...I've now added a tie every day and am much happier.

 

[Working Stiff]

I sometimes wear silk knot cufflinks without a jacket. I know that this is wrong, but I like the shirts and so try to tell myself that it's not that bad. Thinking about it, though, I'm beginning to suspect that it really is that bad and that I should never do it again. Could it maybe be sometimes somewhat acceptable to wear cufflinks without a jacket? Nobody wears jackets in my office, and I don't have any sport coats that I like well enough to try to buck that trend, so let's assume that I will not start wearing jackets just so I can wear cufflinks. (I would like to wear a jacket, but I only own suit jackets, and I'm too deeply in debt to buy a sports coat / blazer right now)

 

[chocoball]

I wear cufflinks practically everyday. I have about 4 or 5 dozen shirts in different colours and patterns from Jantzen, all my shirts are frenchcuffed, I wear with suits, with jeans, whatever....jacket, no jacket, sweater...what can I say, I love frenchcuffed shirts.

Here's a pair I "made" myself:

I just took some plain silver cufflinks that I didn't have any particular affection with, paired them with a pair of small jade buddhas I got from a street vendor in China, and superglued them together. I've worn them about a dozen times in the last 6 months, and they're still going strong!

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by chocoball

I wear cufflinks practically everyday, all my shirts are frenchcuffed. I have about 4 or 5 dozen shirts in different colours and patterns from Jantzen, that I wear with suits, with jeans, whatever....and just mix and match with different cufflinks that are sterling silver, silver with enamel or semi-precious stones. Here's a pair I "made" myself: I just took a pair of plain silver cufflinks that I didn't like, paired them with a pair of small jade buddhas I got from a street vendor in China, and superglued them together. I've worn them about a dozen times in the last 6 months, and they're still going strong!
That's pretty handy of you. Great way to create your own unique look.

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

it is ok to wear cufflinks when you're wearing a suit and tie, imo.
I am like cuff links with a sweater over the shirt, I think it looks very classy

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

That's their proprietary design, that sets them apart from the pack. Even they will say so. The remainder of their stock is common to any number of purveyors.
I dont like the stirrup kind either, they look like earrings and also, they are less durable because that is a place that gets alot of rubbing.

Also, to take the playful side to another level, I have even worn different flashy cufflinks on each cuff. This only works when you are decked out, otherwise you look stupid.

Lastly, I cant do the silk knot thing. I dont know why.

 

[izlat]

+ 1 on the silver knots, the BBs are nice, as are Tiffany's. I also like Jensen's wishbone - but still haven't bought a pair of these.

I would not wear silver cufflinks with a tweed or many sports coats, including a navy blazer w/ gold buttons. For the latter - e.g. navy silk knots. However, I'd wear them with a shirt and a sweater, and also with jeans - as long as I have nice shoes on - yes, I know many here don't wear nice shoes w/ jeans

Cheers