How to Wear Cufflinks in 2022

In this day and age, cufflinks have become somewhat redundant, as most dress shirts now have button-up cuffs. Despite this, cufflinks don’t have to be old-fashioned and can actually make a real statement in a modern ensemble. In order to convey the appearance of a gentleman, cufflinks are an essential feature. Not only are they a decorative addition to an outfit, but they’re also functional. As we build up to party season, men across the globe will be looking to crack out the cufflinks for the festive celebrations. With this being said, just how do you go about incorporating cufflinks into a 2022 look?

When to Wear Cufflinks

When it comes to navigating cufflinks in 2022, we must first understand when it’s appropriate to wear cufflinks. Typically speaking, they will be worn for formal occasions, including weddings; however, men will sometimes wear them with their professional ensembles. Ultimately, so long as a suit or blazer is involved, cufflinks can be incorporated into the ensemble. 

Which Shirts Need Cufflinks?

The shirt you choose will determine whether cufflinks are necessary, and it’s normally quite easy to make this deduction. If the cuffs of your shirt don’t have buttons, they’ll need to be fastened in some way. This fastening is normally achieved by way of cufflinks. 

How Do You Style Cufflinks?

The way in which you style your cufflinks depends on the occasion in which they’re being worn. For instance, black tie events call for a dinner suit and plain cufflinks in one metallic tone. When it comes to weddings, you may wish to express your personality a little by playing with design and color. Lastly, for business, make sure you stick with understated designs in a singular metallic tone in order to maintain a professional appearance. 

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Types of Cufflinks

Gone are the days of cufflinks being one-dimensional. In today’s varied fashion sphere, there are so many types of options on the market from personalized cufflinks to mechanical cufflinks. On top of this, there is a multitude of styles, including stud, chain, ball end, and bullet back cufflinks. Stud cufflinks feature no moving parts, making them the easiest solution when it comes to cufflinks. As the name suggests, chain cufflinks are linked by a chain, providing a looser fit and a more traditional appearance. Ball end cufflinks also have no moving parts with a rigid attachment. Finally, bullet back cufflinks are the most common type and boast a decorative appearance.

Dos and Don’ts

Do pair cufflinks with wedding attire. 

Do match shirt studs and cufflinks, especially for black tie events.

Do own more than one pair of cufflinks if you’re a regular wearer of suits.

Do broaden your accessory horizon when it comes to wearing cufflinks.

Don’t wear odd cufflinks.

Do wear cufflinks with French cuffs.

Do give cufflinks as a gift.

Don’t wear novelty cufflinks – they go against the classic appearance that cufflinks exude.

Do choose a clean and simple design crafted from quality materials. 

Cufflink Care and Maintenance

When it comes to cufflinks, it’s not as simple as buying them and wearing them. Since they’re often crafted from precious metals, they require proper maintenance so they can withstand the test of time. Brass, copper, steel, gold, platinum, sterling silver, and patina are just some of the metals available on the cufflink market, and every one of these metals has its own set of requirements. Therefore, you should research what every metal type needs before you invest in your chosen set of cufflinks. You should also consider the color of each of these metals to determine whether you’ll get ample use out of them.