How to Choose Mens Cufflinks?

Cufflinks are a great form of self-expression for men. Sure, they might be small, but these little accessories carry a lot of weight, both from a physical and symbolic standpoint. They are a symbol of confidence, tradition, and refinement. That’s why, if you want to buy cufflinks for men, it’s a very good idea to assess the different options and know what to look for. We made a quick list focusing on the criteria behind how to choose mens cufflinks, along with some tips and tricks. 

The Occasion For Cufflinks

Where do you want to wear your cufflinks? If you want to buy cufflinks UK, you want to know where you will be wearing them. Because you will have certain rules and guidelines to keep in mind. 

• In the case of formal events, you want to have understated, elegant cufflinks, preferably made from precious metals and rather minimalist. Some classic options are onyx set cufflinks, mother-of-pearl inlays, or plain silver ovals. 
• For business/professional settings, you want refined, simple designs. Neutral tones are usually the better option. You want to stay away from novelty or oversized shapes. 
• In the case of a wedding, groomsmen need to coordinate with the groom’s design. As for the groom, he can have elegant, personalized cufflinks with engravings. Wedding guests can have a respectful, yet stylish pair of cufflinks that don’t stand out. 
• For a social event, you can experiment with enamel designs, novelty cufflinks, or unique shapes, if you want.  

Cufflink mechanics 

Another criteria to consider when you buy gold cufflinks or silver cufflinks is the cufflink mechanics. The bullet back is the most common, easy to secure and use, but also good for everyday wear. Then, you have whale backs that are a bit flatter, stable, and comfortable. 

After that, we get the fixed back option, which has a sleek appearance and a non-moving back. They are a bit harder to put on due to the closure mechanics. Chain links have two decorative ends that are connected using a chain, and provide a looser fit. And then, we have the button or stud style that’s also rather minimalist, but very suitable for a formal shirt set.  

Materials

The great thing about men’s cufflinks is that they can be made out of various materials. You have luxury cufflinks for men, sure, which are typically sterling silver or solid gold, but there are also other options like stainless steel or even enamel cufflinks. These are great for everyday and casual wear. However, you will also find cufflinks made out of sterling silver, gold, and even platinum.  

Additionally, you have the natural materials like Mother of Pearl cufflinks, tiger’s eye, onyx, or lapis lazuli. And on top of that, there are fabric inserts, carbon fiber, or wood, which tend to be the novelty options. All of them are great, but it comes down to where you want to wear those and the type of visual impact you want to make with your cufflinks. 

Size 

The important thing to note when selecting cufflinks is that you want them to be proportional to the shirt cuffs and your body. If you have a slim wrist, you have to go with the understated, smaller designs. Broader wrists will require larger cufflinks, and so on. Classic cufflinks will be around 15 to 20 mm, whereas statement cufflinks will be around 20 to 25 mm. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any cufflinks that feel heavy or that interfere with your jacket. 

Speaking of those, classic cufflinks have simple shapes, neutral colors, and a timeless design. Statement or novelty options allow you to express yourself; they have themed shapes, unusual materials, and bright colors. Both can be a good idea; it comes down to the style you like the most. And, of course, you also want to match your cufflinks to the outfit, so you get a cohesive, great look.  

Cufflink Personalization 

Not everyone wants to personalize their cufflinks, but some people do. If you’re into personalization, you can engrave things like your wedding date, family crest, initials, or even a short phrase. Engravings can be a great way to make the cufflinks highly personal, but personalizing your cufflinks will lower their resale value.  

Pricing 

How much should you pay for cufflinks? If you want stainless steel or enamel ones, expect to pay up to £50. When you go to the sterling silver region, £50 to £130 seems to be the sweet spot. There are options over £150, absolutely, but those are the premium, more expensive ones. They are the long-term investment pieces, and you have to consider them. 

Mistakes you want to avoid when buying cufflinks 

Whether you want to buy vintage mens cufflinks or modern ones, the focus is always on quality and look. But at the same time, it’s very easy to make all kinds of mistakes. With that in mind, here’s what you need to consider avoiding: 

• Wearing novelty cufflinks in a formal setting is not a good idea. So, if you want to buy cufflinks for a formal event, avoid novelty options. 
• You may be inclined to get larger cufflinks than the cuff. That’s not a good idea; it will lead to discomfort, and usually you want to avoid something like this. 
• Over-matching everything perfectly might not give you the exact result that you are expecting. That’s why you want to manage it appropriately for the best results.  
• Ignoring the fastening quality is also a mistake that a lot of people tend to make rather often.  

Conclusion 

When you buy cufflinks for men, it all comes down to style, proportion, material, and occasion. What you’ll notice is that the most eye-catching and expensive cufflinks might not be the right ones for you. Instead, focus on cufflinks that are authentic to you and your overall style. Also, focus on comfort, as that matters more than anything else. 

A good rule of thumb in men’s style is to try out a classic pair and then slowly gravitate towards novelty options. If you’re just getting started when it comes to your cufflink collection, buy a few classic ones, and then you can experiment with various other designs. That will help expand your collection, while also adding variety and style.