French Cuffs and other questions

[tonyper]

Hi all,

I just might have a new job in sales and will finally be able to wear some cool fashions on a daily basis !!!!! (fingers crossed)
I love the look of Cuff Links, I inherited some beautiful cufflinks, tie clips and pins from the 60's and 70's from my father. The question is are French Cuffs considered strictly formal? Can they be worn with a more casual outfit like with no Jacket at times? If I am to wear the French Cuffs does the rest of my attire have to be as formal as the shirt would make it look?

Thanks Tony

 

[Jovan]

Wear it with a jacket, I'd say.

 

[saturnoir]

I wear French cuff shirts every day. Mostly in white, with an occasional blue tossed in now and again. It turns up your overall look, but doesn't immediately make it formal. Make sure your suit jacket sleeves are cut right because you're going to want a little more sleeve showing than you're probably used to. But that's about the only change I would suggest. Any traditional suit instantly looks great with a french cuff shirt. I am not sure if I would go with no jacket, unless you get a shirt with a nice print. I see that look in entertainment companies and it seems to pass. I've seen patterned french cuff shirts with jeans. Personal preference.

It's a definite plus in sales, where 90% of your peers will be in barrel sleeves. The right choice in cuff link will trump the loudest, flashiest watch from another sales representative, which I have found in personal experience to be an advantage. Class is always an advantage.

congrats on the (possible?) new job!

 

[tonyper]

Yes

Thanks guys,

I have the interview on Mon !!!!!!!!! I agree with you Saturn, if would be nice and stand out, wearing french cuffs frequently. I dug out the clips, tie and cuff, gonna give them a cleaning and go shopping!!!!

Tony

 

[Feraud]

You can wear french cuffs anytime and w/out a jacket if necessary.
Cufflinks are an easy way to dress up an outfit.

 

[Jovan]

On a slightly related note, I found a pair of cuff links at Express that really tickled my fancy. Silver square with blue fleur-de-lis. Simple, cool, patriotic. Being born in Montr?©al I immediately snatched these up. An impulse buy, for sure, but I feel it says something about me. Not too much of my wardrobe has that personal touch.

 

[Flitcraft]

french Cuffs...

wear them with pride- any time, any place- they'll definitely elevate your game, no matter what!
And good luck on the interview!

 

[Jovan]

I just realised I sounded like I was bragging. What my point was is to find some really nice cuff links... you can probably find some very tasteful ones on the cheap at thrift stores or eBay. Have them make a statement!

 

[tonyper]

Brag

Bragging?? Not, I hear ya, Make a Statement !!!!!!!!!!

thanks T

 

[Tomasso]

Personally, when I wear a dress shirt sans jacket, which is rare, I choose barrel cuffs. That said, I'm considering having my next guayabera made with french cuffs.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I know (suspect) you're joking Tomasso, but a Guyabera with an interesting arm-end treatment would be a good move. Those things have a tendency to be very boring.

Apparently french cuffs on a Guayabera is a Guadalajara style.

bk

 

[Tomasso]

I know (suspect) you're joking Tomasso

I ain't jokin', BK. My guayabera maker, an 80 year old Cuban, has been nudging me towards FC's for years. He's been making them for his Caribbean clients for decades. Oh, and he said he made one for Reagan, too.

 

[Brinybay]

If you're going to wear fc's for work, be careful with your cleaner. I used to work driving limos and wore fc's. The fold of the cuff would naturally get dirty. I had a bad experience with one neighborhood cleaner. When I picked up my shirts I hung them up and didn't inspect them (didn't think I needed to, after all, they're professionals, right?)

When I went to put one on, I was shocked that the dirt on the fold of the cuff was still there, only now it was imbedded with starch. It looked like all they did was throw it in a washer then starched it. I took them back to the cleaner and pointed it out, and he had the nerve to say those "stains" were already there when I brought them in. Say what?! It's dirt, you moron, of course it was there, that's why I brought them to you!

To make a long story short, we exchanged some colorful metaphors and he gave me my money back. I took them to another cleaner a few blocks away. This time I pointed out to them that they need to pay special attention to the fold of the cuff, because I'm in and out of vehicles and handling luggage, consequently they get dirty. They did a fairly good job this time around, although because they got "beat" a lot, not all of it would come out, but I was satisfied with it.

Since you'll be indoors, your fc's probably won't get as dirty, but still be sure to point it out to the cleaner.

 

[Dinerman]

Can they be worn with a more casual outfit like with no Jacket at times? If I am to wear the French Cuffs does the rest of my attire have to be as formal as the shirt would make it look?

Not at all. I think that when being worn casually, more casual cuff links should be worn, though. I wear my lucite and other novelty ones when casual, but my solid metal or stone ones when more formal.

You can go a million ways with cufflinks. You can find just about anything made as a cufflink, and can state who you are and what you like, in a subtle way, through them.

 

[Ugarte]

I'd like to mention that French cuffs can also be barrel rolled for a not-quite-so formal look. It allows you to flash the jewelry without the obvious flare of a kissed cuff. I also like the way barrel-rolled cuffs fit my jacket sleeve, and I think it looks classy. Others may disagree.

You can do it with any link, but the old fashioned flat, 2-sided links work best because they are more comfortable.

Example 1

Example 2

Just wanted to mention it.

Mark
.

 

[Jovan]

I know not everyone here loves these, but the turnback/portofino/cocktail James Bond cuffs are always an option if you can find them or have them made. Thread discussion.
The only negative aspect reported is that they can catch on jacket sleeves since there's no cufflink to hold them back. On the plus side of that, there's no cufflinks to mess with.

 

[Tomasso]

turnback/portofino/cocktail James Bond cuffs are always an option .

Years ago I ordered them, against my shirtmaker's advice, with him saying, "Fine, we can always switch them out." Of course, he was right.

 

[Brinybay]

I'd like to mention that French cuffs can also be barrel rolled for a not-quite-so formal look. It allows you to flash the jewelry without the obvious flare of a kissed cuff. I also like the way barrel-rolled cuffs fit my jacket sleeve, and I think it looks classy. Others may disagree.

You can do it with any link, but the old fashioned flat, 2-sided links work best because they are more comfortable.

http://www.mimideeartwear.com/items/414426/catphoto.jpg

http://images.goantiques.com/dbimages/EDC1446/EDC144623217.jpg

Just wanted to mention it.

Mark
.

Didn't know there was such a thing as 2-sided cuff links. In addition to looking better, they seem like they would stay put better. I can't tell you how many pairs of links I lost because the lasp would straighten and cause the link to come off.

 

[Jovan]

Years ago I ordered them, against my shirtmaker's advice, with him saying, "Fine, we can always switch them out." Of course, he was right.

I did note the negative aspect of them so he can judge for himself. [huh]

 

[CharlestonBows]

I've got a few of these style shirts, and I occasionally run into the sticking issue. But it's not a huge deal. If you're getting custom, the problem should be mitigated, somewhat, since your sleeve length and cuff circumference are (or should be) specified.

Its a cool look, IMO.