21-03-2022 Written by Loïs

A guide on how and when to wear cufflinks

The cufflink is one of the most classic accessories for the groom, groomsman, or stylish gent. With this accessory you can give a personal touch to your outfit. Even though the cufflink is generally not worn daily, it is definitely a favorite accessory for special occasions. But why does one wear cufflinks and how do you fasten them?

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Cufflinks through the years

Cufflinks have been worn by the elite since the 17th century, because back then, the sleeves of a shirt didn’t close with the now well known button. In the 50s and 60s, the cufflink was a popular accessory for the fashionable man. Nowadays, the cufflink is seen a lot on special occasions. For example, at a wedding or black tie event, but also in business.

How to wear cufflinks

To wear cufflinks, you need a special shirt: a cuff shirt, also known as a dress shirt. The sleeve length of the French – or double – cuff shirt falls slightly over the hand when the arm is extended. Per sleeve this shirt has four buttonholes and is designed to be folded up to the wrist.

When to wear Cufflinks?

In general, cufflinks are worn on formal occasions. A few examples are:

A wedding – At a wedding you are free to experiment with different styles of cufflinks. By choosing a distinguished shape or color, you can give a personal touch to your outfit. For instance, Abrazi’s Window or Ring cufflinks. But, make sure to pay attention to the dress code on the wedding invitation.

A black tie event – During these formal occasions it is common to keep the cufflink subtle, so no crazy colors and shapes. A good fit for such an event are the Bar cufflinks, as they have a subtle minimalistic design and go well with your tuxedo.

In business – For business occasions you have a bit more freedom, you can either keep the shape simple, but you can also use different colors and materials. For instance, by combining a green leather cufflink with a white shirt, or a white Moon cufflink with a blue shirt.

By having the option to choose from different colors, materials and shapes you can find the perfect match, for example with your favorite tie, dress shoes or your date’s look.

How do cufflinks work?

There are three different types of cufflinks. Reversible cufflinks and two types of bullet/whale back cufflinks. A reversible cufflink has a button on both sides which makes them harder to attach to your shirt. The other two are made with either a rotating bar or a fixed horizontal bar. But how do you attach cufflinks? Here are four easy steps:

1. Before attaching cufflinks, you put the shirt on.

2. Then fold the French cuff up until the buttonholes overlap.

3. By holding the cuffs together, you align the buttonholes.

4. Lastly, you place the cufflink through all buttonholes. When attaching the bullet back cufflinks it is important to turn the bar, so that the cufflink is anchored.

Abrazi Cufflinks

Created from a gentleman’s perspective, our men’s collection consists of cufflinks, silk ties and suspenders in different colors and finishes. From minimalistic gun metal to vintage leather and colored stones, it caters to both the modern and classic man. A great selection of accessories for any groom, groomsman, or stylish gent. Like the rest of our items, Abrazi’s mens collection is designed in the Netherlands with the utmost dedication and eye for detail and handcrafted with premium materials.