Cufflinks are a men’s accessory that we often forget about — or simply don’t want to think about anymore once we’ve already chosen the rest of the outfit: the tie, bow tie, or pocket square.. However, it’s worth not treating them as an afterthought, because they can truly be the finishing touch. When you’re wearing cufflinks, it’s clear that your entire look has been carefully considered down to the smallest detail. This accessory deserves your attention.

Cufflinks – what are they for? What purpose do they serve?

Cufflinks originally served a purely practical purpose — they simply fastened the two parts of a shirt cuff. They became widespread in the 19th century, as they proved far more effective than buttons for securing heavily starched sleeves. However, from the very beginning, cufflinks were also richly decorated and considered a form of ornamentation. That remains their main purpose today: to complete an outfit and elevate its formality in a striking, elegant way. In modern times, cufflinks still serve a semi-functional role. Cufflink shirts pare specifically designed with holes instead of buttons at the cuffs, so something is required to fasten them. Below is an example of a bow tie shirt — with a hidden placket and cufflink-ready cuffs.

When to wear cufflinks?

This accessory is definitely reserved for more formal occasions. It’s generally not recommended to wear cufflinks if you’re not also wearing a jacket. That said, they are a must for weddings if you are the groom or best man. Even as a regular guest, cufflinks are a welcome addition to your outfit. They’re also suitable for proms, family celebrations, or a festive New Year’s Eve party. In summary: the more formal the event, the more recommended it is to wear cufflinks.

Ocean blue suit

First, the cufflink shirt

Before we talk about how to choose cufflinks, we need to discuss the shirt. To wear cufflinks, you need a special shirt designed specifically for them. In order to fasten cufflinks at the cuffs, the shirt must have holes instead of the buttons you'd normally use to close a cuff. There are shirts with standard cuffs and those with French cuffs. The latter are also known as double cuffs because they are significantly longer than classic cuffs. Below are some examples of shirts made for cufflinks:

Cufflinks – how to wear them?

When it comes to choosing cufflinks, two things matter most: the occasion you're wearing them for and the outfit they will complement. As a general rule, in the vast majority of cases, cufflinks should be a subtle and refined accessory. To remain in good taste, they shouldn't be overly flashy or catch the eye from a distance. Their design should also reflect the formality of the event as well as your role in it. There’s a wide variety of cufflinks available on the market — from very minimal and neutral styles, to more decorative ones, and even fun or completely casual options.

Miler Menswear cufflinks

Cufflinks – matching the occasion

If you’re choosing to wear this accessory, it’s clear that the occasion is formal — though it may range in how ceremonious it is. Our advice: the more serious the event, the more understated your cufflinks should be. For example, if you’re attending a wedding as the groom or best man, opt for minimalist and subtle designs. These not only reflect elegance but also show respect for the formality of the moment. 

Coordinating cufflinks with your outfit

How to match cufflinks to your outfit? Should you choose gold or silver? If you’re not sure what works and what doesn’t, you can follow a simple rule: for outfits in warm tones — for example, a beige suit — gold cufflinks will be a good match. For a suit or shirt in a cool color, such as blue, silver will be more suitable. You can also take your complexion into account — gold pairs best with warm skin tones, while silver complements cooler ones. A good idea is also to match the cufflink color with your bow tie, tie, or pocket square. If one of your accessories includes a specific accent color, choosing cufflinks in that same hue is a safe and stylish choice.

Cufflink shirt

What cufflinks to wear for a wedding?

When it comes to this question, everything depends on the role you play at the wedding. As a “regular” guest, you can follow the same guidelines you would for dressing at a slightly less formal event. However, if you are the groom, best man, or even one of the fathers of the couple, it is appropriate to appear in a simpler and more classic outfit. Accordingly, the cufflinks should also be more subtle and understated, without drawing too much attention.

How to put on cufflinks?

If your cufflink shirt has French cuffs, fold them back twice so they end around the wrist. If the small cufflink holes align perfectly, you’ve done it right. All that’s left is to insert and fasten your cufflinks — and you’re ready to go. If your shirt has standard (single) cuffs, simply bring the two cuff edges together and align the holes. Then secure them with your cufflinks as usual. Also, remember that the shirt cuff should extend slightly — about 1–2 cm — beyond the sleeve of your jacket for a polished, properly styled look.

Comments (2)

    • Arek
    • 2021-08-02 10:18:01
    Super art, widziałem, że spinki szybko się wyprzedały więc czekam na nowe
    • Miler Menswear
    • 2021-08-09 08:47:41
    @Arek - Obiecujemy, że się pojawią! Pozdrawiamy:)

New comment

Trusted by 1,589 customers (4.6/5 on Google)110K Facebook36K InstagramShips from the EU (Poland)14-day returns

Trusted by 1,589 customers (4.6/5 on Google)110K Facebook36K InstagramShips from the EU (Poland)14-day returns

4