Which Way Do Cufflinks Go?
Cufflinks add a finishing accent to your suit, revealing your style. Whether suiting for a black-tie event or sprucing up your corporate routine, cufflinks demonstrate your good taste and style. However, one of the most important things to consider is how cufflinks go. We'll explain how to put on your cufflinks the right way.
origins of cufflinks
Cufflinks originated in the 17th century as functional items, with people using them to fasten the cuffs of their dress shirts before buttons became common. Over time, they evolved into a symbol of prestige and style, particularly among the upper class.
Cufflinks are composed of three main parts:
- The face (the decorative front).
- The post (which connects the face to the back).
- The back (which fastens the cufflink).
Different types of cufflink backs, such as bullet, whale, chain, and fixed back, offer varying levels of security and ease of use.
Which way do cufflinks go?
When wearing cufflinks, the emblem should always face out so others can admire them.
how to put on cufflinks
It's traditional to wear cufflinks with French cuff (double cuff) shirts, which are more formal and require cufflinks to secure the four layers of folded cuff fabric. However, you can wear them with single-cuff shirts for a casual look.
Whether you're wearing a standard cuff, French cuff, barrel cuff or mitred cuff, the opening of the fabric will be at the back of your wrist. This means you have to bend your elbow up to your chest so you can easily access your cuff.
- Bend your arm to your chest to reach your cuff with your other hand.
- Pinch the two sides of your cuff together so that the buttonholes of the fabric line up.
- Starting from the outside of your cuff, slide the back of your cufflinks through the buttonholes. You must adjust the back to a vertical position if you wear bullet-back or whale-back cufflinks.
- Once the back of the cufflink has passed through both layers of fabric, adjust it to secure the fabric in place. This will mean changing the back to a horizontal position for bullet-back and whale-back cufflinks.
If you bend your elbow up and extend your wrist in front of your shoulder, the cuff of your shirt should be facing away from you. To secure your cufflinks properly, all you have to do is slide the back of them through the slits of your cuffs. Start from the outside, moving inwards so the emblem faces the outside.
types of cufflinks
When securing your cufflinks properly, you must know the many different styles. You will likely possess bullet-back, whale-back, fixed-back, or chain-style cufflinks.
They all generally have the same concept: They include a discernible front and back, and their job is to secure your cuffs so they don't fall apart. However, the method of attaching them can be slightly different.
Whale-back and bullet-back style cufflinks involve a rotating bar that attaches to a metal bride. This bar rotates 90 degrees so that you can slide your cufflinks on quickly and then rotate the bar to sit horizontally. This horizontal position will prevent your cuffs from sliding away from each other.
Fixed-back cufflinks involve a metal bridge connecting two decorative fixtures. One side of these fixtures is smaller than the other, and the smaller side constitutes the back of the cufflink.
The chain-style cufflink is similar to the fixed-back cufflink. It involves two decorative fixtures held together by a flexible chain. This chain bridges the two sides of the cuff, while the fixtures are large enough to keep them in place throughout the day.
There are various styles of cufflinks, each serving different occasions. Precious metals and stones are ideal for formal events like weddings or black-tie galas. For casual settings, fabric or silk knot cufflinks offer a more relaxed option.
Whichever style of cufflink you have in your assemblage, it's universal that you must slide the back of your cufflink through your sleeve first. Knowing when to wear cufflinks can also enhance their impact, whether for formal events, business settings, or social gatherings.
final thoughts
While some people may view cufflinks as a relic of the past, they continue to be a fashionable and practical accessory in modern menswear, right up there with lapel pins and bow ties. Many companies create custom cufflinks with logos or symbols, either for employees or as corporate gifts, highlighting the accessory's role in conveying a person's identity and affiliation.
The wide range of styles available today allows you to adapt your cufflinks to contemporary tastes while maintaining a connection to the sartorial past.
