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How To Wear Cufflinks

Sheridan Grant

Formal events call for your finest attire, but you can dress up for semi-formal affairs as well. While cufflinks are more commonly associated with the former, they can actually be worn for a variety of different occasions. 

That being said, there are so many different types of cufflinks to choose from, and it’s important to opt for a pair that go with the style you’re wearing. Plus, you may be facing a little confusion when it comes to where to place them and how to attach them. Fortunately, we’re here to help.

After reading our guide, you’ll be a little more prepared for every occasion, discovering:

Before we delve into how to wear cufflinks, you may first be wondering: What are cufflinks? Well, it is essentially a small piece of jewelry designed to secure the cuffs of your shirt sleeve for a seamless, sophisticated look. 

Cufflinks usually come in pairs and are made from a variety of different materials—from precious gems and fine metals to glass, or even leather and stone. Because of the different options available, they can blend with a number of outfits to suit your look.

Before we get to how to wear cufflinks, it makes sense to consider their origins. In the 13th century, cuffs were often held together by ribbons and strings, creating the early stages of the design we know today as cufflinks. 

Cufflinks were first popularized in the 17th century by King Charles II, who happened to enjoy wearing them. After that, people began adopting the trend—because seriously, who doesn’t want to look like royalty?

Of course, gemstones and fine metals made their way into the mix, adding a luxurious touch to the accessory. By the 18th century, many aristocrats and royals were wearing them, furthering the association between cufflinks and opulence. 

In 1876, George Krementz revolutionized the style by adding unique designs and changing the shape for seamless attachment. After that, cufflinks continued to undergo many changes depending on preferences at the time.

Today, cufflinks still ooze luxury—pairing seamlessly with the nicest suits in your wardrobe—but they can be worn casually as well. A dress shirt is easily elevated by a set of these.

If you’re not sure exactly where to start, we’ll fill you in down below, starting off with when to wear cufflinks.

Cufflinks are definitely ideal for adding a little sparkle, shine, and sophistication to any attire, preparing you for most formal events. From proms to weddings to ceremonies, your look will be completed with a set of cufflinks. 

But, they don’t need to be reserved for only special occasions. If you want to add a luxurious or stylish touch to your everyday ensemble, a pair of cufflinks is a great way to do so. They can be worn with a number of button-downs, as long as that signature hole is present.

Speaking of, you may be questioning, ‘Where do cufflinks go?’ The short and sweet answer is that they are inserted through the holes on the cuff of a long-sleeved shirt. This is to hold the cuffs in place in the style you choose, making them the ideal piece to add an elevated touch as they are never too in your face.

Before we jump into how to wear cufflinks, it only makes sense to answer the question likely burning in your mind: How do cufflinks work? Essentially, they slip in the holes between the two sides of your cuff to pin them together. 

They often fold into an arrow shape, slip through, and then can be unfolded to create a T shape that holds the cuffs in place. Screw-backs are popular as well, and some snap together, so this will depend on the style you end up choosing.

With that being said, there are a number of ways to wear cufflinks, and plenty of things to keep in mind when you decide how you’ll wear them. Let’s do a little Q&A below:

Classic 

If you’re interested in showing up to work in professional attire on the daily, a pair of cufflinks are a must-have. A simple, understated design is definitely the way to go since they will pair nicely with whatever you wear, and you’ll get extra points if it matches your tie pin. 

This look features a blue blazer over top a simple white dress shirt, which is definitely a daily option. The gray pants are simple and easy to wear, alongside a pair of brown dress shoes that will go with anything. 

Subtle and Casual 

There’s a fine line between ‘business casual’ and actual casual, but you can clarify which end you’re leaning towards with a classic pair of cufflinks. In this case, it’s best to opt for something that is simple and understated—with a flat shiny gold or hammered metal that is ideal for everyday wear.

This outfit features a simple tweed blazer, dark blue jeans, a white dress shirt, and comfortable yet fashionable boots. The dress shirt and cufflinks feel a little more sophisticated, while the blue jeans and boots dress the look down for that true middle ground.

But, you can also replace the jacket with a cable knit sweater layered over the dress shirt, when the colder weather arrives.

Black tie

A black-tie event calls for a set of cufflinks and your fanciest ones at that. This is the time to pull out the big guns, from fine metals to shiny jewels, which will pop against the carbon black of your tux. 

Of course, a ‘black tie event’ doesn’t have to mean you wear black. You can opt for any high-quality suit in your collection, and a nice tie and handkerchief will finish off the look. With that in mind, you can opt for a pair of cufflinks that match the color of your accessories for a more pulled-together look.

Novelty

Cufflinks also come in a variety of peculiar and unique styles to suit different occupations, interests, and more. Examples range from Legos to sports team logos to significant items.

This pair resembles an airplane, likely being the choice of a pilot or flight attendant. The chevrons on the side of the blazer point to the cufflink, drawing more attention to the unique choice, while the white button-down and gray pants are more understated and simple.

Wedding

If you’re getting married or heading to a wedding, chances are you’re wearing a dress shirt. If you’re a guest, a simpler design may be up your alley, but you can always opt for something eye-catching and interesting.

For the groom, a novelty or specially designed pair of cufflinks will add a personal and thoughtful touch to your ensemble. This pair features two initials, crafted from a metal that matches the wedding ring. Birthstones embedded into the design would be a nice touch, too.

When you’re taking a look through your wardrobe, it’s good to know that there are a number of different types of cufflinks to suit your personal style. Below, we’ll consider some of the top choices, as well as some more niche options, to give you an idea of the variety.

If you’re looking for something classic and simple, opt for stud cufflinks, which feature a neutral and traditional design that pairs easily with any style. They attach quite seamlessly with a flat back for a comfortable fit.

For something a little more bold and chunky, opt for chain cufflinks. As the name would suggest, this pair is attached by a loose chain that is easy to thread through your shirt holes. It provides a looser fit, and there are lots of different chain styles and finishes to choose from.

Ball-end cufflinks and bullet cufflinks are also available, slipping through the hole and securing seamlessly on the backside. They generally have a decorative side and a simple, rounded end that goes towards the back.

Gemstones and fine metals are another way to add a little visual interest, as well as personal style. Plus, they should last quite a long time and be versatile enough to wear regularly.

Novelty cufflinks, on the other hand, can feature anything from logos to images, reflecting things you love and adding a personalized edge.

But, before you decide which style you want, there are a number of things to keep in mind. Take a look at our list of how to choose the best cufflinks down below!

When you’re shopping for the jewels you’ll wear to your wedding, or any upcoming special occasion, you want something that is high quality and worth the buy. That being said, there are a number of factors to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect pair. Fortunately, we’ll detail everything you need to know down below:

Price and quality usually go hand in hand, though you’ll be paying a little extra if you opt for fine materials and precious stones. That being said, they should feature unique designs and careful craftsmanship to ensure they hold up over time and stay in place no matter what you’re doing.

The brand is definitely something to consider if you’re on the hunt for designer touches in your wardrobe. Plus, you should opt for something that provides the style you’re looking for while being backed by a strong customer base.

Style, shape, and event should be considered together since the cufflink you opt for should be appropriate for where you’re going. For example, you wouldn’t exactly wear a novelty cufflink designed after your job to your wedding.

Overall, it’s crucial to find cufflinks that are in your price range while offering what you’re looking for, as well as being versatile and easy to wear for multiple occasions. And if you wear cufflinks every day, you may want to find a brand that offers a broad selection so you can keep things interesting. 

Technically, the only thing you need when it comes to styling cufflinks is a shirt with holes in the cuffs. If you’re not sure where to go from there, here’s how to wear cufflinks:

  1. Opt for a long sleeved dress shirt with holes
  2. Remove the buttons and fold the cuff once (optional)
  3. Slide the link all the way through both holes, insides together
  4. Secure the backside of the cufflink

Now that you know how to attach cufflinks, there are also a few tips and tricks for styling. First up, you can pair them with a jacket that emulates the look you’re going for. If you want to look super dressy, opt for a suit jacket, while a simple blazer or coat will lean a little more casual. 

You can also consider other accessories that will work well with your cufflinks, such as a lapel pin or a simple cuff bracelet, as well as shirt studs. Of course, the closer they match the better they’ll look, creating a cohesive and seamless ensemble. 

Like all styles and accessories, there are a few things that may clash or be deemed unfashionable. That being said, fashion is subjective and you should wear what makes you feel confident. But, we’ve still got a few no-nos up our sleeve that you may want to keep in mind.

First of all, the most classic rule in fashion is balance. In this case, it’s important to avoid pairing flashy with flashy. Essentially, if you’ve got a large shiny watch on, go for a more understated cufflink to create a cohesive look. On the other hand, a more unique cufflink will look great with a smaller, simpler watch.

In the same token, layered bracelets may get caught in cufflinks and cause a chunky, crowded feel that isn’t exactly synonymous with the vibe cufflinks give off. Instead, opt for only one or two simple bracelets that complement the style of the cufflinks. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never wear mismatched cufflinks. Why? It’s essentially the same thing as wearing odd socks, which isn’t really something you would do when getting dressed up. 

As we said, remember to take all of these tips with a grain of salt and wear what you’d like and style it in a way that feels true to you!

Whether you’re making an investment or opting for a pair you’ll only wear a few times, you want these stylish jewels to keep their shine for every event. With that in mind, it’s important to provide the proper care to keep your set looking snazzy. 

Brass, copper, and steel cufflinks should be polished regularly with a soft cloth, while vermeil and gold plated cufflinks should be kept away from water and stored in a small pouch. Solid gold and platinum can be scrubbed gently with a toothbrush and warm water.

Now that you know a little more about how to wear cufflinks, it’s time to get to styling. Fortunately, we’ve got the round-up of our fav places to buy cufflinks:

Final Thoughts

All things considered, there’s a pretty wide variety of cufflinks to choose from. They can be paired seamlessly with different styles and are ideal for a number of events and occasions.

All you’ll ever need is a dress shirt with buttonholes, and you’ll be good to layer and pair with accessories to achieve any style you can think of!

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