When to Wear Cufflinks to Achieve a Polished Look

When to Wear Cufflinks

The best occasion to add a pair of cufflinks to your outfit is for a formal event — including black tie events, weddings, and business events — as it can lend your appearance a level of timeless style and sophistication.

However, while cufflinks are a safe bet for most formal occasions, this style decision is a little more nuanced when you dig deeper. We’re covering everything you need to know about when to wear cufflinks, including:

1. The types of shirts that require you to wear cufflinks
2. More casual settings where cufflinks can still be appropriate
3. What you should always take into account when choosing a pair of cufflinks

Plus, find out how you can protect your collection of jewelry accessories, from cufflinks to tie clips, watches to wedding rings, with comprehensive jewelry insurance.

What Shirts Require Cufflinks?

Any time you wear a French cuff shirt, cufflinks are a requirement. (Note that French cuffs are sometimes also called double cuffs.) This type of dress shirt features two holes at the wrist, but no button, meaning a cufflink is necessary to hold the sleeves together.

When comparing dress shirts, another option is a shirt with convertible cuffs, which features a button next to a buttonhole, meaning you can choose to wear cufflinks or not.

Then, there are also single cuff shirts, which feature a button that’s often sewed in place, and no other hole. You can use a cufflink with this option, but you’ll need to either remove the button manually or purchase a cufflink adapter, which will fit over the button and create a temporary hole through which you can fasten your links.

What Events Require Cufflinks?

While no events really require cufflinks, you can safely assume that any event that requires formal attire will be a suitable occasion, such as:

During these events, you can achieve a more polished look by opting for classic designs, such as men’s cufflinks made with precious metals like sterling silver or gold.

When Is It Appropriate to Wear Cufflinks in More Casual Settings?

Cufflinks can be appropriate for more casual events, if the setting is suitable for wearing a dress shirt or suit.

For example, if you’re headed out to a high-end bar and wearing a blazer or suit jacket, cufflinks can lend your outfit a subtle elegance. If you’re attending networking events where you’re not wearing a full suit, but a nice button-up instead, cufflinks can add a refined touch and leave a lasting impression.

Once only reserved for nobility and the wealthy, the cufflinks men wear now have become much more casual in general and provide a unique way to showcase your personal style. You can find fun cufflinks for men made from all sorts of more affordable or interesting materials and featuring a wealth of designs.

Casual Cufflink Designs

For example, you could purchase cufflinks that are shaped like something related to your job, such as a design shaped like circuit boards. You can also find cufflinks that show off the face of a favorite fictional character, or designs shaped like bottle caps and emblazoned with your favorite beer brand’s logo.

Do note that these more casual cufflink designs aren’t appropriate in all situations, but they can certainly make for a fun, conversation-starting detail in the right moment.

Picking the Best Cufflinks for the Occasion

Whether your event’s attire is casual or more formal, there are some best practices for picking the ideal cufflinks for any occasion, including:

• Match your cufflinks to your other accessories: Complement your watch, tie clip, or other accessory by picking cufflinks that match both the level of formality and color scheme/precious metal.
• Choose cufflinks you’re comfortable wearing: Learning how to put on cufflinks is an art form, with some styles more difficult to fasten in place than others; if you’re new to the practice, shop for a beginner-friendly pair, such as whaleback or bullet back cufflinks.

Finally, before you leave the house, ensure that your design is facing outward, toward the viewer, which is the appropriate way to wear them.

A Quick Note on Cufflink Care

Here are two tips for how to always keep your cufflinks looking good as new.

1. Take them off if you’ll be engaging in any activities that might expose them to chemicals, debris, sweat, etc. Even residue from washing your hands can negatively impact the appearance.
2. Store your cufflinks in a safe, secure spot, such as a cufflink case, rather than on a jewelry stand or somewhere else that leaves them out in the open where they’re susceptible to damage, loss, and theft. If you only wear your cufflinks on special occasions, and not on a day-to-day basis, you might consider storing them in your jewelry safe or safe deposit box.

When to Wear Cufflinks FAQs

Can You Wear Cufflinks Every Day?

Yes, it’s not uncommon to see cufflinks on men every day, particularly anyone that works in a corporate setting.

Can You Wash Cufflinks?

Yes. A gentle polishing cloth gets smudges out. But if the cufflinks are especially grimy, simply wash them in a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. If that doesn’t do the trick, consider taking your cufflinks to a professional jewelry cleaner. Just always refrain from using harsh cleaners.

Are Cufflinks Still in Style?

Yes, cufflinks are still very much in style, particularly when wearing more formal attire. However, more casual cufflinks are growing in popularity, too, and it’s not uncommon to find unique pieces crafted to show off your personality.

Are Cufflinks Expensive?

Cufflinks can range in price, with designer pieces going for thousands of dollars, but more affordable cufflinks can also be found for under $50.

Do You Have to Wear Cufflinks with a Suit?

No. The only time you absolutely have to wear cufflinks is when you’re wearing a French cuff or double cuff dress shirt, as these pieces of clothing do not have a button at the end of the sleeve. That makes a link necessary to keep the cuff together rather than flapping about.

Protect Cufflinks, Luxury Watches, and More with Jewelry Insurance

Jewelry insurance isn’t just for engagement rings or pieces of ultra-expensive fine jewelry. You can protect cufflinks, luxury watches, and other accessories with a comprehensive jewelry insurance policy designed to fit your collection’s full value.

BriteCo’s jewelry insurance policies start at just 1% of the piece’s total assessed value, per year, and there are zero deductibles. If you need to replace or repair your jewelry due to loss, theft, or damage, we’ll cover the repairs or up to 125% of the replacement cost.

Learn more when you get your free and easy jewelry insurance quote now.

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