How to Wear Cufflinks

• Opt for a shirt that accommodates cufflinks and allows the cuff to fold back. Align the cufflink holes.
• Insert the cufflinks into the holes and secure them, ensuring the decorative face is outward.
• You can choose from various types of cufflinks, including bullet back, whale back, fixed back, chain link, reversible, ball return, or locking closure designs.

Choose the appropriate shirt. Cufflinks are commonly paired with French cuff (also known as double cuff) dress shirts. These shirts feature extra-long cuffs that fold back on themselves, creating multiple layers. French cuffs lack buttons on the sides and instead have small holes where cufflinks are inserted. Wearing cufflinks with this type of shirt secures four layers of fabric, resulting in a more formal appearance. Single cuff shirts, typically found in department stores, can also be worn with cufflinks for a more casual look.

• Cufflinks can also be worn with single cuff shirts, the variety typically found at department stores. Wearing cufflinks with this style of shirt is a more casual look.

Fold the cuff. Extend your arm and use your opposite hand to neatly fold back the French cuffs. Ensure that the end edge of the cuff closest to your fingers folds back evenly to create a neat lining.

• If you are wearing a single cuff shirt, there is no need to fold back your cuffs.

Join the cuffs together. Pinch the two open edges of the shirt cuff together so that they lie flat, away from the wrist. Press the inner fabric of the cuff edges against each other to create the classic “kiss cuff” commonly worn with cufflinks. For single cuff shirts, the two cuff edges overlap to form a barrel shape.

• A single cuff shirt will not use the “kiss cuffing.” Instead, the two cuff edges overlap one another, making a barrel shape.
• Again, you can wear cufflinks with single cuff shirts, but it is considered to be a far more casual look. Traditionally, cufflinks are paired with French cuff shirts for formal occasions.

Align the cufflink holes. Ensure that the cufflink holes are evenly aligned. This will facilitate the insertion of the cufflinks and help determine if your fold is even and aligned properly.

• For a single cuff shirt, adjust the overlap of the cuffs to align the cufflink holes.

Insert and secure the cufflink. Ensure that when your arms are at your sides, the decorative face of the cufflink is outwardly displayed. The cufflink material, aside from the face, should be inserted through the layers of cuff fabric and secured on the other side.

• The method of securing the cufflinks may vary slightly depending on the style of cufflinks.

Use bullet back cufflinks. This style features a bullet-shaped capsule held between two posts. Align the bullet with the post of the cufflink and maneuver it through the aligned holes in the cuff fabric. Hold the cufflink with your thumb and pointer finger while stabilizing the cuff with the rest of your fingers. Insert the cufflink post through the holes on the top section of the cuff, then bring up the bottom portion to meet the cufflink. Flip the bullet horizontally to secure the cufflink.

• Bullet back cufflinks are among the most common and easiest to put on.

Opt for whale back cufflinks. These cufflinks have a straight post and a flat, solid whale tail backing. Straighten the whale backing flush to the post and insert it through the cuff fabric. Grip the cufflink with your thumb and pointer finger, and use the other fingers to hold the top of the cuff steady. Push the post through the holes on the top section of the cuff, then bring up the bottom portion to meet the cufflink. Flip the backing perpendicular to the post to secure the cufflink.

• Whale back closures offer a secure backing that locks into place.

Try fixed back cufflinks. The post and backing of these cufflinks are formed from the same piece of metal as the front face. Grip the cufflink with your thumb and pointer finger and maneuver the back through the cuff’s holes. It will fit through the holes like a button. Push the back through the bottom portion of the cuff to secure it.

• Fixed back cufflinks may require more effort to put on but offer the advantage of no moving parts.

Put on a pair of cufflinks with chain links. These cufflinks feature a chain connecting the ends together. Hold the top cuff with your fingers and push the back of the cufflink through the holes. Then, bring the bottom cuff up and push the back of the cufflink through its holes. They might be a bit tricky to wear, but the chain allows for a comfortable fit and a stylish look from both sides.

Adorn yourself with reversible cufflinks. These have a fixed backing with a design. Attach them by fitting the entire back end through the holes in the cuff fabric. Bring the bottom cuff up and secure the back in place. With these cufflinks, you get two designs in one, offering versatility and elegance.

Don a pair of cufflinks with ball returns. Similar to fixed backing cufflinks, these have a balled backing. Insert the balled backing through the cuff holes and secure the post. These cufflinks are easy to put on and provide a relaxed fit, with an attractive ball backing.

Secure your cuffs with locking closure cufflinks. Insert the small, back end through the cuff holes, then bring the bottom cuff up and push the backing through. Close and lock the cufflink into place. This style offers a tight and secure fit, ensuring your cuffs stay in place.

• Choosing cufflinks for groomsmen gifts is ideal as they can be tailored to match each groomsman's personality perfectly.
• When selecting cufflinks, opt for ones that complement both your attire and the occasion. Coordinating colors or subtle accent hues work well.
• Try threading the cufflinks through one layer of cuff fabric at a time for easier insertion, rather than attempting to push them through all layers simultaneously.