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Undoubtedly, men’s cufflinks are a timeless fashion statement that add a layer of sophistication to any dressy outfit.
Whether you’re shopping for your groom or groomsmen for an upcoming wedding or simply want a chic, customizable pair to add to your formalwear repertoire, cufflinks make a practical, thoughtful gift (that looks sharp with your best watch, may we add).
“Cufflinks have long been associated with a black or white tie dress code, however with the rules of formality being much more fluid and flexible in modern day,” Jordan Stolch, celebrity and personal stylist, as well as the CEO/founder of MIKADO, a full-service concierge personal styling firm, told the New York Post. “Cufflinks have become a trendy accessory for men that can be worn in a multitude of ways and are most commonly associated with formal, semi-formal and workwear attire.”
To keep your dress shirts and sports jackets looking sharp, Stolch hand-picked the 17 best cufflinks of 2023 for you to buy for the man in your life as a gift or to add to your cart for your next photographed moment.
“Cufflinks are a jewelry item for men that is both ornamental and functional at the same time, which give an extra special touch of class and elegance. They add a refined dash of personality to an outfit, by demonstrating one’s subtle panache for styling, without being large, loud or overstated. They have the ability to transform the most simplest of pieces into a put-together ensemble.”
Plus, Stolch outlines everything there is to know about cufflinks — including how to wear and style them, and how to put them on — in our in-depth FAQ section.
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For the wild hearted (or those who like to simply dress differently) these are sure to be loved. The 3D black panther cufflinks are mesmerizing, especially when you stare into their emerald green crystal eyes. Polished to perfection and featuring the word Fear on the swivel closure, they’re sure to dress-up any ensemble.
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“The curved and molded exterior of these Lanvin cufflinks, creates a simple, yet elegant design — perfect for everyday wear,” Stolch says. “Crafted in a platinum-plated metal, with the brand’s name etched along the sides, these are sure to compliment suiting in any color.”
Not to mention, this particular style are etched with the brand’s name on the sides, leaning into a designer-esque look.
“The double G, inspired by an archival design of the 70s, defines this pair of cufflinks by showcasing the iconic Gucci branding,” Stolch explains. “Sure to make a statement on your wrist, they are crafted from sterling silver and aged with a beautiful finish.”
Plus, they make a lovely luxury gift for men, thanks to its signature double-G design.
“This blue goldstone inlay, paired with the rose gold-colored PVD finish, makes this cufflink from Montblanc an absolute showstopper,” Stolch notes. “Opt for complimentary shades of blue in your shirt, suit and tie, keeping pattern elsewhere to a minimum.”
As for this style, we adore its durable design that’s sure to match with any dress shirt.
“If you’ve been searching for the perfect pair of cufflinks to have engraved — look no further than Brilliant Earth,” Stolch recommends. “This classic, octagonal design — with its flat surface and bevelled edges — will look sharp and sophisticated with your initials — or any other special inscription.”
If you’re on the hunt for a lovely personalized gift that’s less than $200, this option is sure to be cherished for years.
“A skillfully cut, miniature glass dome at the center of Zegna’s grey metal cufflinks, makes them the perfect balance of statement and restraint,” according to Stolch. “The unexpected texture, together with the 3D glass detail, transforms a small accessory into a precious jewel.”
For lovers of the modern and minimalist styles, this pair of cufflinks is one of your best bets.
“These modern, geometric cufflinks by FIBO are perfect for the minimalistic gentleman looking for subtle-styling without feeling overly accessorized,” Stolch tells us. “The sturdy, durable construction does not disappoint — even at the low price point.”
These cufflinks also come in a bounty of colors for less than $15.
“A good quality pair of classic knotted cufflinks is an indispensable suiting accessory,” Stolch says. “The timeless and versatile appeal of sterling silver also makes this option from David Donahue an excellent choice for almost any outfit or occasion.”
For a durably crafted, unique knot detail, we can’t believe this cufflinks pair is less than $100.
“The casual appeal of these Charles Tyrwhitt knotted cufflinks makes them a fun and playful compliment to a casual outfit,” Stolch notes. “Pair them with jeans and a blazer to add some personality to your look.”
If you love the knitted and casual look while still looking polished, you can’t shy away from this $10 set.
“With warm gold plating and an elegant mother of pearl face, these cufflinks from SUITSUPPLY offer a striking and elegant look,” Soltch says. “Pair them with your blue, pink and purple dress shirts — they’re sure to make your favorite colors pop.”
We can’t stop glossing over the gold and pearl colorway — making them one of our favorite pairs on this list.
“Once you’ve got a pair or two of classic silver cufflinks, it’s not a bad idea to add some gold into your rotation,” Stolch advises. “The sleek signature horseshoe logo from Ferragamo makes for the perfect blend of simple and statement all in one.”
Plus, this pair has that shiny gold look that are timeless and look upwards of $1,000.
“Both playful and surprisingly elegant in equal measure, the Kingsman cufflinks are the epitome of sophistication,” Stolch says. “Cast in a square, cushioned shape, they’re plated with rose gold, filled with a white enamel center and edged with deep green, to add a pop of flair to your outfit.”
With a dash of green, you’ll be nodding to the classic 50s-inspired style.
“Sleek and simple, this design from Burberry makes for the perfect menswear must-have,” Stolch notes. “These palladium-plated cufflinks are engraved with the iconic Thomas Burberry monogram, and are sure to be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.”
Not to mention, Burberry is one of our favorite brands for trench coats.
“Coming in at under $100, you absolutely can’t go wrong with this sterling silver option from J Crew,” Stolch says. “The brand’s great quality for an affordable price point makes this the perfect choice for an every day cufflink.”
With a name like J.Crew (that truly puts the ‘C’ in classic, rest assured these will look sharp for any occasion.
“A simple, suave black accent is sometimes all your suiting needs — which is definitely the case for these Onyx stone cufflinks from David Yurman,” Stolch explains. “Pair these with a tuxedo or your formal suiting to effortlessly elevate off your look.”
With its deep black hue and quality design, this is an investment-worthy splurge that makes a lovely gift.
“When conventional cufflinks aren’t your style, Alexander McQueen has you covered,” Stolch adds. “This 3D skull motif, paired with an aged treatment on the brass, is sure to give your ensemble the edge you’re seeking with this subtle pop of detail on your cuff.”
We’ve never seen a pair of cufflinks with miniature skull detailing, but we’re so glad we did for the edgier fashion lover.
“You are sure to express your unique personal style with this unique design from Tateossian,” Stolch relays. “These cufflinks feature a beautiful Swarovski crystal center, with a diamond-engraved border, making for an unquestionably dashing look when paired with your favorite black tie suiting.”
With a center bling and timeless square charm, we’ve been recommending this pair, specifically, to everyone we know IRL.
“Don’t shy away from styles that show a little personality — especially if your suiting options are more simplistic,” Stolch nods. “These purple marble stoned cufflinks from Ted Baker will bring the perfect amount of fun and flair to your style.”
Not to mention, the Ted Baker Marbled Cufflinks come in another shade for less than $100.
An FAQ on Cufflinks
Ahead, Jordan Stolch, celebrity and personal stylist, as well as the CEO/founder of MIKADO, a full-service concierge personal styling firm, gave us the 411 on cufflinks, including how to put them on and how to style them.
When are cufflinks typically worn?
Of course, wearing cufflinks is a personal preference. However, they’re commonly sported for the following occasions:
Black Tie: Most conventionally styled with a tuxedo, cufflinks are an essential component of the black tie attire, called upon for highly special events like galas and red carpets. Stick with simplicity and elegance to add a level of sophistication to your look — less is always more in these types of scenarios. Black, white and silver are safe bets for the occasion, and mother-of-pear or onyx work nicely as well.
Weddings: Formal occasions like weddings are the perfect opportunity to show some personality in your styling choices, by incorporating interesting details and accents. Elevate your classic suit with a strategic dress shirt and cufflink-choice, playing with color, material and design in a way that showcases your unique character.
Business: Elegant, understated style in the office makes for a confident and authoritative image. Adding cufflinks into your business dress code is a great way to do this, and can be styled with your go-to suiting, as well as stand-alone dress shirts worn without a jacket. Choose sleek, simple designs that compliment your shirt and tie choice, without being too overstated. When it comes to business, your look should not be louder than your voice!
Going Out: A well-dressed night out can be easily achieved without a suit, perfect for those semi-formal occasions where you want to look your best without being too fancy. Cufflinks are an excellent choice for helping to strike this balance, when styled with a classic wool sport coat, dark wash denim, leather oxfords and your favorite dress shirt.
Do cufflinks have to be worn with a specific type of shirt?
Yes, with the most common and classic type of shirt being the French cuff style (sometimes referred to as double cuff). “This type of dress shirt has a long, extended cuff, which folds in half to create two layers,” Stolch explains. “You can easily identify this shift by the fact that it doesn’t have buttons at the cuff, and requires cufflinks to be inserted into its small holes, in order to hold the cuff together.”
Cufflinks can also be worn with a conventional barrel cuff shirt, though this is not as common and creates a much less formal look. “Since this style is designed with a button fastening attachment, you must find a convertible option that also allows you to wear cufflinks in addition to the button — meaning a hole beside the button closure,” Stolch adds. Many will argue however, that cufflinks should never be worn when there is a button present on the cuff — a word of caution before making this styling choice!
Cufflinks are not worn on sport coats or blazers, but they are most certainly worn with. “As a rule of thumb, seek to match the level of formality and appearance of the cufflinks, and the type of shirt you select, in keeping with that of the jacket,” Stolch recommends. “A casual corduroy sport coat, for example, will look out of place with a more formal French cuff shirt and precious metal cufflinks.”
What is the best metal for cufflinks?
Cufflinks are available in a very wide variety of materials, which largely governs their price point, so it’s an important variable to take into account when making your purchase.
“Gold, silver, palladium and platinum are all precious metals often used for black tie or formal cufflinks, and fall at the highest end on the price spectrum,” Stolch explains. “These materials are generally considered to be too formal for every day use and are reserved for the most special of occasions.”
The majority of cufflinks are made of a base metal, which mixes multiple metals together to form a base, allowing for a more affordable price point and greater durability. “The most common base metals are copper, lead, nickel, zinc, as well as alloys like brass, stainless steel, and gunmetal,” Stolch lists. “These cufflinks can also be plated with a precious metal (i.e. gold-plated stainless steel) to create a more luxurious style at a fraction of the price point.”
You will also find cufflinks made of leather and other woven fabrics, such as elastane. These are a great casual alternative to metals and are perfect for more everyday styling.
The different shapes of cufflinks, explained by a professional stylist
You’ve probably noticed by now that cufflinks come in a wealth of options. Ahead, Stolch explains each one:
- Toggle Closure: Toggle closure cufflinks are the type of cufflink you will most commonly see, largely thanks to the fact that they are highly secure and easy to put on.
- Fixed Back: Fixed backings are an extension of the cufflink face, meaning that the post and backing are formed from the same piece of metal.
- Whale Back: Whale back cufflinks are one of the smallest types of cufflink available, perfect for that subtle yet stylish look. In this design, the post is hollow, combined with a solid whale tail backing.
- Bullet Back: The bullet back cufflinks feature a cylinder set that is held in place between a pair of bars which can be turned to secure the link in place.
- Chain: The visible part of the cufflink is worn on both sides of the cuff while the chain connects these two parts and ensures movement is not restricted.
- Ball Return: Similar to fixed backings, ball return cufflinks are backed with an attached ball holding the cufflink in place.
Your expert guide to putting on cufflinks
First, you want to be sure you’ve selected the correct shirt — typically a French cuff style —which has holes at the cuff for the cufflinks to be inserted into.
Next, you want to pinch the two open edges of the shirt cuff together, so that the inside fabric is “kissing” each other. “This is a very important step and you want to be sure you get this one right,” Stolch explains. “The two open edges should line up with one other, where both sides of the inner cuff are touching and not overlapping.”
From there, you’re now ready to insert the cufflink. Be sure that the decorated top of the design is placed on the outside, or top, of your wrist. This guarantees that it is visible. “The rest of the cufflink is inserted through the fabric of your sleeve, and the attachment directions will be dependent on the style you have,” Stolch adds. “Most common styles are fixed backing, whale toggle, and T-bar, all of which are inserted through the fabric and secured on the inside of your wrist.”
Your expert guide to cleaning cufflinks
Start by housing your cufflinks in their own box to prevent them from getting dirty or damaged during storage.
“If your cufflinks are made of precious metals you can use a professional jewelry cleaning solution, or warm water soapy water, and a soft cloth to gently clean them,” Stolch recommends.
If your cufflinks are made of base metals or enameled, avoid using cleaning solutions which could ruin them, and instead stick with a soft polishing cloth used to gently rub them. “You can also use an old soft-bristle toothbrush to get in the nooks and small spaces, if necessary,” she notes.
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