Master the art of elegance with this step-by-step guide to wearing cufflinks

Have you ever wondered about the process of putting on cufflinks? It might seem a bit puzzling at first, but with the correct instructions, it's quite simple. Here are those instructions.

While I typically avoid dictating fashion choices or making absolute statements, I'll make an exception today: If you wear suits and care about style, it's essential to learn how to wear cufflinks.

Just take the time to learn it.

You don't have to wear cufflinks every time you don a suit or tuxedo. In fact, you don't have to wear them at all if they're not your thing. However, what if your best friend, brother, or someone else in your life needs assistance with them? What if your partner enjoys seeing you wear them?

Cufflinks add flair and personalization to a suit, and most importantly, they're accessible to anyone. They're not overly flashy if you prefer a more understated look. They're also timeless without feeling too vintage or outdated for the modern man.

HOW DO YOU PUT ON A CUFFLINK?

First of all, you need to have the right kind of dress shirt with the right kind of shirt cuff. That means the edges of the sleeves should have zero buttons.

The most common type of cufflink-appropriate shirt is the double-length French cuff style. This means that there are two pairs of holes, some closer to the edge and others farther up the sleeve. 

First, you’ll simply fold the end of the cuff over so that holes closer to the edge overlap the ones farther up.

Then, you’ll “kiss” each side of the cuff. This means you’re simply aligning each end so that all four of the holes themselves are also perfectly aligned with each other.

Then you’ll stick the end of the cufflink, not the cufflink face obviously, through all four holes and secure it. The cufflink’s decorative face should be on the outside of the cuff holes. So, it faces out when your arm is to your side.

Everything should now be in place, with the edges of the cuffs stiffly sticking out in a clean fashion.

If you’re like me and aren’t particularly dexterous, You can slide the cufflink through the first two holes on one side before you put your shirt on.

That way, you only have one side to thread through when the shirt is on your back.

HOW TO PUT ON CUFFLINKS WITH ONE HOLE PAIR PER SLEEVE

In rare instances, you might encounter a shirt with only one hole pair per sleeve, lacking the extra layer to fold over. Alternatively, your French cuff shirt might be too short on the sleeve to fold over.

In such cases, you can still apply the cufflinks in a similar manner to a French cuff if desired. However, the ends sticking out may feel somewhat flimsy.

Alternatively, you can opt for a barrel style. This involves placing one hole over the other and inserting the cufflink through, effectively creating a makeshift button. The end of the cufflink would be inside your shirt.

While you can also utilize a barrel style with a French cuff, the abundance of holes might require some finesse—or the assistance of a friend with an extra pair of hands.

TYPES OF CUFFLINKS

Obviously, cufflinks come in an endless array of shapes and sizes. Make sure you pick a pair of cufflinks that you like and one that you think complements your suit or tuxedo.

When it comes to the type of cufflink, the cufflink end is more consequential than the face. That’s because there are different ways to secure that end.

Here are a few examples:

🔹Backs You Flip or Turn: Usually, you’ll secure this style by simply flipping the end of the cufflink so that it’s no longer aligned with the post. Examples include a locking closure and a whale back closure.

🔹Bullet Back: A bullet back is often the same shape as a locking back but is stationary, sitting at a 90-degree angle with the post. This means you’ll stick one side of the bullet through the cufflink holes first before standing the post up to get the other side of the bullet through.

🔹Fixed Back or Ball Return: A fixed back features a decorative back end, while a ball return has a ball-shaped end. You’ll thread these through similarly to a bullet back.

HOW TO PUT ON CUFFLINKS WITH BUTTONS

Putting cufflinks on a shirt with buttons on the sleeve ends isn't conventional, but if you're determined, you can employ a guerrilla approach—provided your cufflinks look consistent from every angle and are large enough to cover the button. A perfectly round pearl cufflink serves as a good example.

Here's how you can do it: First, button your cuff. Then, slide the cuff through the buttonhole, alongside the button. Next, position the cufflink over the button to conceal it.

Ideally, the presence of two items vying for space in one buttonhole will ensure the cufflink fits snugly enough to remain in place.

Opt for a shirt with tonal buttons to blend them into the fabric more seamlessly.

Ultimately, though, it's best to stick with a proper French cuff shirt for hassle-free cufflink usage.

FAQS

Here are some answers to common questions about cufflinks!

CAN YOU PUT CUFFLINKS ON A REGULAR SHIRT?

No. If the shirt has a button on the cuff, it’s not meant to host a cufflink. You can certainly force it through with the button, but that’s not what it’s made for.

HOW DO YOU PUT ON A SUFFLINK AND STUD SET?

The cufflinks of a stud and cufflink set go through the French cuffs of the shirt as any cufflinks would. The studs go through the stud holes next to the front tuxedo shirt buttons. 

You’ll then thread those through the other side of the shirt’s buttonholes, effectively replacing the buttons.

HOW DO YOU FOLD CUFFS FOR CUFFLINKS? 

You’ll simply fold the end over so that each pair of cuff link holes are aligned with each other.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT WAYS TO WEAR CUFFLINKS?

Traditionally, you’ll kiss the ends of the cuffs, then thread the cufflinks through all four holes. You can also do a barrel-style approach, in which you’ll put one end of the cuff over the other and thread the cufflink through like a button with the cufflink end in the sleeve interior.

CONCLUSION: GIVE CUFFLINKS A SHOT!

Cufflinks have been around for centuries, though they were popularized in the 1800s. This means they’re as classic as it gets.

If  you want to follow strict style traditions, you’ll wear silver cufflinks for evening events and gold ones for the daytime. You can also opt for pearl cufflinks if you’re wearing a white tie.

However, these days, it’s all about your own personal style.

Do you wear cufflinks with your suit? Let us know in the comments!