They're an alternative to the buttons that are commonly sewn onto shirt cuffs. The defining feature is that cufflinks are separate objects: sew it onto the shirt and it's a button, but if it's fully removable it's a cufflink. All cufflinks serve the same purpose: to hold the cuffs of your shirt together elegantly. They do not, however, all look the same, nor do they achieve this end by the same means. Below, we list the most popular types of cufflinks.

That means you can – if you want to – wear cufflinks with everything from your best business shirt to a ratty flannel work shirt. And yes, some people are doing the latter – never underestimate the contemporary hipster's love for mixing high fashion with low.But before getting one, you should know first how to wear them. As long as you have a long-sleeved shirt with the necessary holes in the cuff, then you can easily wear your cufflinks. If by chance you don’t own a cufflink shirt or a shirt with a French or double cuff, then this article is for you. Cufflinks are great for men whose offices adhere to business professional dress codes and when you want to project an image of success, particularly for criminal defense lawyers and high-end financial consultants. Cufflinks can be made of almost anything, and ornamented with everything from precious stones to repurposed novelty junk. Gold, silver, and platinum are obvious favorites, especially for cufflinks that have no other decorative materials, and that rely on the quality of their metal alone for aesthetic value. Though small, cufflinks can make a big impression, and there’s a lot to know about them if you want to wear them well. Crystal – a versatile and common choice for sparkling cufflinks, available in almost any color, shape, and size imaginable.

Personalized cufflinks make great gifts. If you’re looking for cufflinks that have personal meaning, this is the way to go. Any jeweler can monogram metal cufflinks, and lots of cufflink artisans can craft pairs using personal items: photos of relatives, small hand-me-downs, and other types of things. Cufflinks are amazing! Yes, they are. If you think about it, when can a man wear a jewellery piece that is both ornamental and functional? If you haven’t tried wearing cufflinks, well you are missing out on a lot! When accessorising, opt for a set of plain gold or silver double panel cufflinks and pair them with thin matching tie pin. When selecting your pin, look further afield to antique shops. They often have elegant pieces that come with a good story. Alternatively, the likes of Mr. Porter and Harrolds have a perfectly serviceable range. Caring For Your Cufflinks On the other hand, more casual occasions, like dinner dates or parties, allow you to wear cufflinks that show a bit more personality. Knowing the difference and understanding your audience is key in making the decision about what cufflinks to wear, and indeed whether or not to wear them.Cufflinks have long been traditionally associated with men’s formal or semiformal wear such as a tuxedo ensemble. Others refer to these versatile accessories as “formal jewellery.” They are great if you want to add a personal touch to your tuxedo, cufflink shirt or suit. Even in the 1930s men would wear silk boutonnieres that looked like a real carnation, yet they would never wilt and always look fresh. For a selection of handcrafted silk boutonnieres, take a look here.