Wearing cufflinks requires a cuff which is compatible with them. As such, the most popular type that you’ll find in most clothing shops is either the double or French cuff. They are traditionally worn in shirts which are formal and any that appear on shirts which are casual are likely custom made (and are also in violation of fashion rules).

Cufflink Types And Costs

Basic cufflinks are standard and affordable. They can usually be recognized by their vibrant colors and are popular among younger men. Wearing them will bring some color to your wardrobe while helping you to stand out. Due to their lower cost they are usually purchased in groups. Semi cufflinks are the opposite of their basic counterparts. They will usually come in two parts, one which is the hinge which will move and attach to jewelry. The majority of cufflinks will fall under this category.

Formal cufflinks are less common. They have no parts which move and are almost always made with precious metals like gold. As such they are vastly more expensive than basic or semi cufflinks and are constructed to enter a hole and maintain each end with no parts that move. These cufflinks are exceptionally stylish and are the type you’d wear to weddings, business meetings and other formal events.

The final type is the handmade cufflink. These are similar to formal cufflinks except that they are handmade by a craftsman. This means it is completely unique and there is no other cufflink in the world like it. As you can imagine these cufflinks are the most expensive.

Origin And Function Of Cufflinks

Cufflinks were first worn during the fifteenth century, but didn’t really catch on until the eighteenth century. They evolved in conjunction with the male shirt. Before the invention of the cufflink shirt cuffs were held in place with ribbons. Eventually however the fashion and wealth of the noble class was surpassed by bourgeois who demanded efficiency, and it was from this that the cufflink was developed. It both functioned and looked better than ribbons, and due to the Industrial Revolution it could be produced in mass.

The primary purpose of the cufflink is to lock down dress shirt cuffs.  They can be purchased in a wide selection of materials which range from leather to glass, stone or various metals. Toggles are used to secure them but may differ depending on how the front section is designed. Some cufflinks also use a rear bent or they may incorporate chains. The front of the cufflink is typically the area which will showcase design and may be inset with gemstones or enamel, and may display a form that is either three or two dimensional.

Cufflinks were invented to be worn in conjunction with dress shirts, which usually have button holes on each side. Cufflinks should not be worn with dress shirts that have buttons near the cuffs, since the buttons are designed to serve the same function.