Custom Cufflinks: The Perfect Touch for the Modern Gentleman

If you've never worn cufflinks before, the small stuff can be surprisingly confusing, which shirts actually take them, how they physically go on, and whether you're overdressing for the occasion. None of it is complicated once you've done it once, but it's easy to feel unsure the first time. Here's a straightforward walkthrough.

What a Cufflink Actually Does

A cufflink isn't decorative in the way a tie clip is it's functional. Certain dress shirts don't have buttons at the cuff at all; instead, they have two layers of fabric with buttonholes on each side, meant to be folded back and fastened together with a cufflink. Without one, that kind of shirt simply won't close at the wrist.

Step 1: Check You Have the Right Shirt

Cufflinks only work with French cuff shirts, also called double cuffs. Look at the cuff: if it's a single layer that closes with a regular button, that's a barrel cuff, and cufflinks won't work with it. If it's a longer cuff that folds back on itself with buttonholes on both layers and no button, that's a French cuff, the one you need. Simple designs like our Emblem Initials Cufflinks are a good reference point for what a standard cufflink actually looks like if you're not sure.

Some shirts have a convertible cuff, which can take either a button or a cufflink. If you're not sure which you have, check whether there's a spare buttonhole where a button would normally sit.

Step 2: Fold the Cuff Back

Fold the cuff of your shirt back on itself so the two buttonholes line up directly on top of each other. The outside of the cuff should face outward on both layers once folded.

Step 3: Insert the Cufflink

Push the cufflink's post or toggle through both buttonholes at once, from the outside in. Once it's through both layers, secure the back for a toggle-back style, this means swivelling the bar so it sits flat against the inside of your wrist.

The decorative face of the cufflink should end up facing outward, visible when your arm is at your side.

Step 4: Check the Fit

Once secured, the cufflink should sit flat and close comfortably, without the cuff bunching or feeling tight. If it feels awkward, double-check that both buttonholes are properly aligned before assuming the cufflink itself is the problem.

When to Actually Wear Them

Cufflinks suit any occasion that calls for a French cuff shirt in the first place weddings, black-tie events, and more formal business settings. For a first pair, something understated (simple initials or a plain finish) is the safer choice, since it works across the widest range of occasions without looking out of place at a more casual formal event. For an event where you want something with a bit more presence, styles like the Urban Signature Engraved Cufflinks are worth considering once you're past your very first pair.

Choosing Your First Pair

If you're buying your first set, prioritise versatility over a bold statement. A neutral finish that pairs easily with a watch or ring you already own will get more use than something flashier reserved for one specific event.

Once you own more than one pair, a wooden cufflink box is worth adding, it keeps them organised and protected between wears rather than loose in a drawer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special shirts to wear cufflinks?

Yes, specifically French cuff (double cuff) shirts, or shirts with a convertible cuff. A standard button-cuff shirt can't accommodate cufflinks at all.

Is it hard to put cufflinks on by myself?

It takes a little practice the first few times, particularly with your non-dominant hand, but it becomes quick once you're used to the motion. A toggle-back closure tends to be the easiest style to manage solo.

Can I wear cufflinks to a job interview?

Only if the role and industry call for a French cuff shirt in the first place, for most interviews, a standard button-cuff shirt is the safer, more common choice unless you know the setting is more formal.

What's the most versatile first cufflink to buy?

A simple, understated design in a neutral finish, initials work well, since they suit both business and formal settings without feeling too specific to one occasion.

Can cufflinks be worn casually?

Not really, since they require a French cuff shirt, which itself is a formal shirt style. Cufflinks are inherently tied to more dressed-up occasions rather than casual wear.

What if my cufflink won't stay secured?

Double-check that it's pushed all the way through both layers of fabric and that the back mechanism is fully engaged. If it still feels loose after that, it may be worth contacting hello@ornamentsco.com for guidance.

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Once you've worn cufflinks a few times, the process becomes second nature. Explore the full Cufflinks collection at Ornaments Co to find a first pair worth starting with.