How to put on and wear cufflinks on a shirt

Cufflinks are decorative fasteners attached to the sleeves and collars of shirts and suits with special slots.

What types of cufflinks are there?

There are quite a lot of types to make it easier to choose; buy the shirt you like and bring it to the store, so it will be easier for the sellers to help you with your choice.

Types of cufflinks by fastening mechanism

Let's consider the existing varieties depending on various criteria, the first of which is the method of fastening. Here are the cufflinks:

With a twist clasp - this is the most common and simplest type. They are easy to put on: just turn the clasp parallel to the leg, thread it through the hole in the cuff and close it, placing the clasp perpendicular to the leg.
With two rotating fasteners - the principle of operation is the same as in the first option, only in this case the fasteners are on both sides.
Clips - in this case, one end of the fastener is attached to the product, and the other is free.The clasp must be threaded through the loop in the cuff and secured to both sleeves.
Rods (rigid fastening) are cast cufflinks, they are difficult to put on, but they are durable and will last longer. They have balls at both ends of the legs, one of which just needs to be threaded through the cuff loop.
On a chain - this type is the most difficult to attach, but with its help you can adjust the cuffs and make them looser. To put on the jewelry, you need to hold one end and carefully thread the other end through the slot.
With a flat fastening - in this case the fastener is flat, which allows you to connect the cuffs more tightly.
With a ball fastening - in this case, the fastener is round and this makes it easier to use.
Imitation cufflinks - they are used if you couldn’t buy a shirt with slits in the cuffs. They are button covers that completely cover them.

Now let's look at other options.

Types of cufflinks based on symmetry

In this case, there are only two options. The first one will be more convenient, since it is more common and easier to use. So, they distinguish:

symmetrical: both parts are the same;
asymmetrical: there is a front and back side that differ from each other.

Types of cufflinks by design

Appearance is no less important. Therefore, the design contains:

classic design - suitable for any suit and a calm, no-frills appearance;
thematic – for those who want to emphasize their hobby or preferences;
extravagant - is a decoration of an unusual shape (in the form of animals, flowers, etc.);
functional cufflinks: they are a kind of hybrid, combining a functional element (watch, compass, etc.) and decoration.

We will also highlight the division by gender factor:

men's - differ in that they are larger and darker;
women's - the opposite of men's, bright and small.

What shirts do you wear with cufflinks?

Typically this decoration is worn on dress shirts with French cuffs. They are twice as long, have a hole for cufflinks, and have no buttons. Double cuffs need to be folded, but there are also single cuffs that do not require this procedure.

Note! That shirts with single French cuffs are more convenient to use than those with double cuffs.

If it was not possible to purchase a special shirt, in this case you can make a regular slit on the sleeve by removing the buttons first. Of course, it will no longer look so aesthetically pleasing.

How to match cufflinks with shirts

To choose a decoration that matches your shirt, you need to focus on the following factors:

Color is the first thing you need to pay attention to. It is advisable and correct to select cufflinks to match the color of your shirt, but if they are silver or gold, you can omit this.
Pattern: you also need to pay attention to this factor; for example, you can choose a checkered decoration for a checkered shirt.
Theme of the event: cufflinks in the shape of animals would be out of place at a serious reception, while you can show off them at another meeting.

Be sure to consider these aspects before going to the store to purchase.

How to put on and fasten cufflinks

The buttoning algorithm for a special shirt and a regular shirt is slightly different. Let's consider both options with detailed instructions.

For a shirt with double cuffs

In this case, no additional manipulations are required. The first thing to do is wash your hands so as not to stain the shirt and preferably iron it. Then you need:

Tuck the cuffs so that the slots match;
insert existing cufflinks into the holes;
secure them.

The speed of the procedure depends on your dexterity and the complexity of the clasp. The situation in the second case is somewhat different.

For a regular shirt

First, you need to prepare it:

remove the buttons;
make a suitable slit, symmetrical to the other side of the cuff;
further actions are similar to the first case.

Advice! If you are dealing with cufflinks for the first time, you can first deal with the sleeves and then put on the shirt.

How to wear a shirt with cufflinks

We figured out how to wear this jewelry. Now a few words about how to use it correctly in the future. Here all the points come down to the rules of behavior and accuracy. Necessarily:

see if your sleeves are dirty, as such an accessory draws attention to this part;
make sure the cufflinks are on the correct side;
make sure all the details of your suit fit together well.

On a note! The sleeves should not protrude too much from under the jacket, as it is impolite to display cufflinks.

Here are some more general tips:

It is not advisable to purchase a shirt with double cuffs if you are going to wear it without a jacket;
if your suit is expensive, it is better to choose the appropriate decoration, otherwise it will cheapen the appearance.