cufflinks
September 22, 2005 7:35 AM Subscribe
My next question will be about ending world hunger - but for now, I'd like to know about cufflinks. Are they nancy, boy-baubles, or an acceptable style choice?
There were a couple of guys at my last job who always seemed to wear them with their business suits (sales guys). I kind of liked how they would sort of raise an arm and finger the cufflinks, as kind of an unconscious gesture.
I'm embarrased to say that the only time I've donned them was my senior prom. But, I'm buying a new suit, and thinking about getting some.
Also, do you need special cuff-link shirts, or would they go through the sleeves button-holes?
There were a couple of guys at my last job who always seemed to wear them with their business suits (sales guys). I kind of liked how they would sort of raise an arm and finger the cufflinks, as kind of an unconscious gesture.
I'm embarrased to say that the only time I've donned them was my senior prom. But, I'm buying a new suit, and thinking about getting some.
Also, do you need special cuff-link shirts, or would they go through the sleeves button-holes?
You probably need sleeves that were cut for cufflinks; all that involves is having two button holes on the sleeve rather than a hole and a button. (Shirts that you rent with tuxedos often have a button in addition to the two holes, so they could be worn without links).
Personally, I've never worn them outside of weddings and can't recall having seen them except on people who were either at weddings or who wanted to make an impression, that impression being, "I am wealthy enough to wear cufflinks and look like I can get away with it." IME, then, cufflinks are something that people who spend a lot of money on very expensive suits and who wear them often can get away with. That doesn't mean that you can't, but it may look a little strange for regular office-wear.
As always, your mileage may vary.
posted by staresbynight at 7:50 AM on September 22, 2005
Personally, I've never worn them outside of weddings and can't recall having seen them except on people who were either at weddings or who wanted to make an impression, that impression being, "I am wealthy enough to wear cufflinks and look like I can get away with it." IME, then, cufflinks are something that people who spend a lot of money on very expensive suits and who wear them often can get away with. That doesn't mean that you can't, but it may look a little strange for regular office-wear.
As always, your mileage may vary.
posted by staresbynight at 7:50 AM on September 22, 2005
Nancy boy-baubles. Unless you have french cuffs, then they're stylish and necessary. But wearing them with shirts that button is gauche.
posted by klangklangston at 7:50 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by klangklangston at 7:50 AM on September 22, 2005
From what I've seen, cufflinks tend to be the norm in the more conservative industries like finance and banking, and tend to go hand in hand with a straight-laced, macho culture, so I'd say not at all nancy. I think they look best with shirts designed specifically for cufflinks, or at least without the buttons too. Personally, I think they're a bit of a fag and only bother with them on special occasions.
posted by londonmark at 7:54 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by londonmark at 7:54 AM on September 22, 2005
You want shirts with french cuffs to wear cufflinks with. At least according to the style book I bought... :-D
posted by shepd at 8:05 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by shepd at 8:05 AM on September 22, 2005
French Cuffs are required for cuff links. Regular Barrel Cuffs, the everyday kind with buttons, only have the one hole in the cuff. Cuff links and Silk Knots need two holes. A silk knot is exactly what it sounds like, a knot made of silk. It's a less expensive form of a cuff link and is considered just as good, though not as showy.
Cuff Links and silk knots are considered very formal. Unless your sales staff normally wears tuxedos to work, they're probably a tad over dressed. The general rule is that if it's ok to wear a standard business suit to an event, Barrel cuffs are ok as well.
That's not to say that Cuff links and Silk knots should be avoided at the office. Just remember that cuff links are jewelry and realize that there is a point where they're just gaudy. Don't over do it and pick metals & stones that suit you.
Perhaps you should go with something a little humorous? I've always loved these cuff links. They're hollow and each will hold a single aspirin in its center.
posted by aristan at 8:21 AM on September 22, 2005
Cuff Links and silk knots are considered very formal. Unless your sales staff normally wears tuxedos to work, they're probably a tad over dressed. The general rule is that if it's ok to wear a standard business suit to an event, Barrel cuffs are ok as well.
That's not to say that Cuff links and Silk knots should be avoided at the office. Just remember that cuff links are jewelry and realize that there is a point where they're just gaudy. Don't over do it and pick metals & stones that suit you.
Perhaps you should go with something a little humorous? I've always loved these cuff links. They're hollow and each will hold a single aspirin in its center.
posted by aristan at 8:21 AM on September 22, 2005
Definitly only wear them with a french cuff shirt, or you'll look quite silly. I'm an attorney in a business-casul environment; when our attorneys dress up, some wear cuff links (with French cuffs) and look natural and fine.
I would be careful about fingering them, though, since that could easily lead to "hey! look at me I've got cuff links! I want to be cool!" syndrome. No one I know who regularly wears them fingers them that way. Only when they're adjusting them or putting on their jackets.
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:22 AM on September 22, 2005
I would be careful about fingering them, though, since that could easily lead to "hey! look at me I've got cuff links! I want to be cool!" syndrome. No one I know who regularly wears them fingers them that way. Only when they're adjusting them or putting on their jackets.
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:22 AM on September 22, 2005
If I met two guys at a bar (or whatever) and one was wearing French Cuffs with Cufflinks and the other was wearing just a plain ol' dressy shirt, I'm going to want to date the cufflink man, no question.
posted by anastasiav at 8:25 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by anastasiav at 8:25 AM on September 22, 2005
I can't even imagine how you'd wear them w/o french cuffs. What are you 'linking'? Very odd, unless you all mean button covers which are a whole different beast entirely. And, IMNSHO, usually gold and gaudy.
Like any jewelry, cufflinks are available in a range from subtle to gaudy. The biggest problem with them is that a barrel cuff usually has two buttons so if you lose one you're not floppin in the wind. Lose a cufflink and you're not only out the jeweler but you now look disheveled. You also have to be more conscious of the shirts as you look through your closet for something to wear since you may not always want to be bothered with them.
In the end I got rid of all my french cuffed shirts for that very reason. Personally I think a nice subtle cufflink always looks good.
posted by phearlez at 8:34 AM on September 22, 2005
Like any jewelry, cufflinks are available in a range from subtle to gaudy. The biggest problem with them is that a barrel cuff usually has two buttons so if you lose one you're not floppin in the wind. Lose a cufflink and you're not only out the jeweler but you now look disheveled. You also have to be more conscious of the shirts as you look through your closet for something to wear since you may not always want to be bothered with them.
In the end I got rid of all my french cuffed shirts for that very reason. Personally I think a nice subtle cufflink always looks good.
posted by phearlez at 8:34 AM on September 22, 2005
Nancy.
According to my personal aesthetic, men should look like they don't think too much about their appearance. I also don't dig perceptible hair gel or jewelry for the same reason.
My humble opinion.
posted by Methylviolet at 8:37 AM on September 22, 2005
According to my personal aesthetic, men should look like they don't think too much about their appearance. I also don't dig perceptible hair gel or jewelry for the same reason.
My humble opinion.
posted by Methylviolet at 8:37 AM on September 22, 2005
I wear cufflinks occasionally, and I work in a business casual office. Though I wouldn't wear them with khaki's- they need to be part of a "nice" outfit (though not necessarily a suit).
The one major downside to cufflinks, imo, is that if you ever need to roll up your sleeves, you're SOL.
posted by mkultra at 8:50 AM on September 22, 2005
The one major downside to cufflinks, imo, is that if you ever need to roll up your sleeves, you're SOL.
posted by mkultra at 8:50 AM on September 22, 2005
While it is often said that men shouldn't look like they spent hours getting dressed, this should not be taken to mean that getting dress shouldn't take any time at all. There is a difference between given the appearance of not caring and looking like crap because you don't care. (I'm not necessarily contradicting Methylviolet, just addressing his post.)
Cuff-links are a bit of a grey area. Generally speaking you do see them only at formal events or in the cuffs of the upper classes. However, this shouldn't put you off them entirely. (Notice Anastasiav's comment above.)
As a rule I would say you could wear them anytime a suit (not just a sport jacket) is called for. There is, however, a caveat: be sure you are comfortable wearing them. As with anything else in fashion you won't look good unless you feel good wearing it.
posted by oddman at 9:13 AM on September 22, 2005
Cuff-links are a bit of a grey area. Generally speaking you do see them only at formal events or in the cuffs of the upper classes. However, this shouldn't put you off them entirely. (Notice Anastasiav's comment above.)
As a rule I would say you could wear them anytime a suit (not just a sport jacket) is called for. There is, however, a caveat: be sure you are comfortable wearing them. As with anything else in fashion you won't look good unless you feel good wearing it.
posted by oddman at 9:13 AM on September 22, 2005
Regular suit and tie with french shirt and cufflinks - good move.
Cufflinks with a nice shirts, sans tie or jacket - very classy move.
Chicago Cubs cufflinks with a tie and a suit - super duper rock 'em sock 'em power move.
posted by sachinag at 9:20 AM on September 22, 2005
Cufflinks with a nice shirts, sans tie or jacket - very classy move.
Chicago Cubs cufflinks with a tie and a suit - super duper rock 'em sock 'em power move.
posted by sachinag at 9:20 AM on September 22, 2005
I wouldn't agree that they're very formal. I see colleagues and clients wearing them all the time (I work in construction, in NY) for not particularly special but suit-requiring meetings. Always with the french shirt though! I like them a lot, it's that bit of individuality in a sea of grey suits.
I've seen some terrifically tacky cufflinks mind you, as well as some beautiful ones.
posted by jamesonandwater at 9:32 AM on September 22, 2005
I've seen some terrifically tacky cufflinks mind you, as well as some beautiful ones.
posted by jamesonandwater at 9:32 AM on September 22, 2005
I work in the finance industry and routinely wear cuff links with my better suits. I don't think of them as being overly formal, but I'm also very comfortable in a suit.
I stick to simple links like these or these, that aren't particularly flashy. They're just a little something in a style that I like. (and I only wear them with a french cuff, those "combo" shirts are an atrocity)
posted by I Love Tacos at 10:12 AM on September 22, 2005
I stick to simple links like these or these, that aren't particularly flashy. They're just a little something in a style that I like. (and I only wear them with a french cuff, those "combo" shirts are an atrocity)
posted by I Love Tacos at 10:12 AM on September 22, 2005
My grandfather owned a men's clothing store (and employed Ryland Cooder's father!) and he had gobs of cufflinks, and tie tacks, and whatnots. I think they were just more common. They certainly aren't nancy-boy, though.
posted by kenko at 10:26 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by kenko at 10:26 AM on September 22, 2005
I accidentally bought a couple french cuff shirts about a year ago. When I noticed the cuffs, I decided to get some cuff links rather than return the shirts. It took some shopping, but I found some that weren't gaudy. I've gotten quite a few compliments from women about wearing them, even in fairly casual situations.
posted by aneel at 10:57 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by aneel at 10:57 AM on September 22, 2005
Cufflings shouldn't be bling, they should be subtle. French cuffs are becoming more and more popular these days, two years ago I had one shirt with french cuffs, this year I've got four.
posted by furtive at 11:14 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by furtive at 11:14 AM on September 22, 2005
Subtle cufflinks are cool. When I see the big gaudy variety I immediately think "pompous ass".
posted by Carbolic at 11:30 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by Carbolic at 11:30 AM on September 22, 2005
Not only acceptable style choice but great style choice. But you better be wearing a nice suit and shoes with those. Also be certain that your french-cuffed sleeves are long enough to show off the links. Don't get crazy but do go to a respected, tasteful-but not-too-high-fashion clothier.
I wear cuff links at weddings and when I want to have fun with a fine evening out -- not a formal evening but a fun one. (New Year's at Man Ray for example.) My favorite cufflinks are from Dunhill and fold into a rectangle when off the shirt. Oh so rational and minimalist.
posted by Dick Paris at 1:40 PM on September 22, 2005
I wear cuff links at weddings and when I want to have fun with a fine evening out -- not a formal evening but a fun one. (New Year's at Man Ray for example.) My favorite cufflinks are from Dunhill and fold into a rectangle when off the shirt. Oh so rational and minimalist.
posted by Dick Paris at 1:40 PM on September 22, 2005
If you're still looking for some French Cuff shirts, I know that Banana Republic has quite a few very nice ones and a selection of inexpensive cuff links. A lot of them are not office material, unless you work in a creative environment or want to look really nice on a Casual Friday.
Just promise me you'll stay away from the plaid one.
No one looks good in plaid unless they're the Brawny guy.
And he doesn't care about french cuffs.
posted by aristan at 2:08 PM on September 22, 2005
Just promise me you'll stay away from the plaid one.
No one looks good in plaid unless they're the Brawny guy.
And he doesn't care about french cuffs.
posted by aristan at 2:08 PM on September 22, 2005
British and American attitudes to men's dress vary somewhat, so I may be out of step here, but if you're wearing good shirts with a good suit, chances are they'll have a double cuff by default, and you'll need links. (As others have said, trying to combine links with button-cuff shirts is a recipe for disaster.)
Cuff knots are quite fun, not horrifically expensive (Thomas Pink has a good selection, $15 a pop), and can be matched up well with a tie. And Simon Carter's links span the range from subtle and elegant to, well, not.
posted by holgate at 1:46 AM on September 25, 2005
Cuff knots are quite fun, not horrifically expensive (Thomas Pink has a good selection, $15 a pop), and can be matched up well with a tie. And Simon Carter's links span the range from subtle and elegant to, well, not.
posted by holgate at 1:46 AM on September 25, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Some really cheap shirts don't have the pair of holes necessary for wearing cufflinks, but most work or dress shirts seem to. Some will have buttons as well, which you can cut off if you don't intend to use them.
posted by Nick Jordan at 7:49 AM on September 22, 2005