The Proper Way to Wear Cufflinks?

[Shangas]

Hi folks.

With any luck, in a few weeks (Yeek!!) I'll be graduating from university, earning my Bachelor of Arts in Professional & Creative Writing.

In preparation for this historic and nerve-wracking day, my mother decided to buy me my first proper dress-shirt to go with my (sadly) two-piece dark grey suit. The shirt is a nice, light blue affair, very comfortable. Sleeves are a tad long, but that's what sleeve-garters are for, right?

My thing is...this shirt has French cuffs, with the two pairs of buttonholes on each cuff, which has to be folded back and done up with cufflinks...you probably know the drill...but I don't think I do.

Having folded up the cuffs and lined up the buttonholes, how are the cuffs held together with the cufflinks? By that, I mean; do the cuffs overlap each other? Or do you pinch them together into a little peak first, before pushing the cufflinks through? Everything I've seen suggests the latter, but I was wondering if this was the only acceptable way to wear a shirt with French cuffs & links.

 

[Nick D]

The ends are flat against each other, not overlapped as with a barrel cuff. When worn, the opening of the cuff will form a teardrop rather than a circle.

Congrats on the graduation!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

You're right. Just hold both parts together,...and push the links through so that the decorative part is toward the outside. Easier said than done, because you have to do all that with one hand at a time. I suppose one could overlap the two parts also, but that seems like making a difficult one-handed task even more difficult. :eusa_doh:

 

[Shangas]

Thanks for the help, Nick and..ahem...Nick!

My graduation will be the first time that I ever wear a shirt that actually HAD to have cufflinks (unlike some of my other shirts, which have convertable cuffs; either you can use links or the buttons provided). I wanted to be sure to get it right.

Even with the French cuffs folded back, the sleeves would come right up to my fingertips (and this shirt was supposed to be "extra small"!!). I'm not exactly tiny (5'6"), but this kinda surprised me. I managed to pinch a pair of my brother's elastic sleeve-garters, though, and I'll wear those on the day, to keep my sleeves at an acceptable and comfortable length.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I was going to start a new thread, but I think this would be just as well attached here.

What is the right way to wear cufflinks with a "convertible cuff" shirt? That is, a shirt that has barrel cuffs with buttons AND holes for cufflinks. Should one attempt to wear the cufflinks just as described above for french cuffs, or not?

 

[Nick D]

Yes, wear them as with turn-back cuffs, with the inside faces touching.

 

[Undertow]

Yes, wear them as with turn-back cuffs, with the inside faces touching.

I have to agree on this, although I understand if this situation presents a strange look. Convertible cuffs are an odd little invention that I'm not particularly fond of, but I think they have their utility. You should wear the cuffs as they would normally be worn in each case (button vs. link).

Perhaps if these convertible cuffs become all the rage, there will be more notes on propriety.

Great topic, good question!

 

[HHISIII]

Link the cuffs before putting the shirt on. At least, that's how I always do it.

 

[Talbot]

Congratulations! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

In the US you have the luxury of being able to select shirt sleeve length as well as neck size. In the US I am a 17 1/2 neck and 32/33 sleeve.

Here in Melbourne, I can not find a french cuff shirt with sleeves the right length, they always run down to my knuckles (not a good look).

If you can't get the shirt altered ($25) in time, garters are a good alternative, especially if you are not taking your jacket off

Check out the shirt departments in DJ's or Myer next you are in town and you'll see cufflinks and french cuffs in action.

I hope your family has a great day as well.

 

[Shangas]

You're a bit late, Tally! But thanks anyway.

 

[Talbot]

You're a bit late, Tally! But thanks anyway.

Note to self 'Check first post dates in future'

 

[VitaminG]

Congratulations! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

In the US you have the luxury of being able to select shirt sleeve length as well as neck size. In the US I am a 17 1/2 neck and 32/33 sleeve.

Here in Melbourne, I can not find a french cuff shirt with sleeves the right length, they always run down to my knuckles (not a good look).

If you can't get the shirt altered ($25) in time, garters are a good alternative, especially if you are not taking your jacket off

Check out the shirt departments in DJ's or Myer next you are in town and you'll see cufflinks and french cuffs in action.

I hope your family has a great day as well.

Van Heusen do fractionally fitted shirts. So I can get 43 collars with 90 sleeves. Have even found the occasional french cuff. Check 'em out at Myer or DJs

 

[Nick D]

I have to agree on this, although I understand if this situation presents a strange look.

It is the only proper cuff for white tie, but I think turn back cuffs look better with a suit. I have one shirt with convertible cuffs, and always wear them as barrel cuffs. I have enough other shirts to wear links with.

 

[Nick D]

Sorry, I should have said single linked cuffs are for formalwear. Convertible cuffs resemble them when worn with links.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Convertible cuffs are an odd little invention that I'm not particularly fond of, but I think they have their utility. You should wear the cuffs as they would normally be worn in each case (button vs. link).

I agree, they are a bit of an odd duck. I needed a new white shirt, and convertible cuffs were a good choice on a budget. I like links, but don't often have cause to wear them. So, I guess I fit into the right niche.

I've also noticed that some clothing companies are trying to bring cufflinks into casual wear but making link-only barrel cuffs on sport shirts. A strange idea, but then, I wear a homburg with jeans. Who am I to talk? [huh]

 

[Tomasso]

I've also noticed that some clothing companies are trying to bring cufflinks into casual wear but making link-only barrel cuffs on sport shirts. [huh]

Do you mean a single link cuff as pictured here?

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Best as I can tell, yes. Like an ordinary button cuff shirt, but without buttons. Just holes for the cufflinks. That's what I think I see in that picture.

 

[Talbot]

Van Heusen do fractionally fitted shirts. So I can get 43 collars with 90 sleeves. Have even found the occasional french cuff. Check 'em out at Myer or DJs

Thanks - will do!