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The Insider Pick:
Cufflinks add a bit of class and elegance to your shirt cuffs. The quality construction and classic aesthetics make the sterling silver and onyx cufflinks from J. Crew the top choice for any man. They’re easily the most versatile pair of cufflinks you'll own.
You’re probably aware of what cufflinks are, but it’s highly likely that you’ve never considered buying a set until now. That’s understandable: Cufflinks are, admittedly, one of the last things a man needs on his journey through the world of traditional menswear. But once you’ve already got to work sorting out your suits, neckties, dress shoes, and shirts, then it’s time to start shopping for those odds and ends you may have initially overlooked.
Along with wristwatches and tie bars, cufflinks are among the few pieces of jewelry that men can wear in a professional setting. Plus, they’re a requirement for those French cuff dress shirts you’ll eventually end up with, so the modern style-conscious gentleman should know when and how to don a pair. Cufflinks don’t just look great, they serve a very important purpose: Keeping your cuffs secured.
Unlike standard buttoned barrel cuffs found on the vast majority of collared shirts, French (or “double”) cuffs are cut longer and designed to fold back over themselves. Then, instead of buttoning the sleeves closed, you thread your links through the holes where the buttons would normally be in order to fasten the cuffs.
The general rule of menswear is to keep things simple, although it’s okay to be a little adventurous with your outfit, and accessories. Cufflinks, in particular, are the perfect way to do that. Links are available in a million different styles to suit just about any taste, but to help you get started, we’ve narrowed the field down to our five favorites that run the gamut from classic and conservative to casual and fun.
Read on in the slides below to see why the J. Crew silver and onyx cufflinks are our top pick and why you might also like the Brooks Brothers knot cufflinks, the Charles Tyrwhitt gold-plated cufflinks, the Hackett stud cufflinks, and the David Donahue Mercury dime cufflinks.
The best classic silver cufflinks
Why you'll love them: Genuine sterling silver and deep black onyx inserts lend the J. Crew cufflinks a timeless aesthetic that’s perfect for any suit and occasion.
Like the white pocket square, a high-quality pair of classically-styled silver cufflinks is an indispensable suiting accessory. The timeless and versatile appeal of sterling silver also makes it the metal of choice for almost any outfit and occasion from casual evening get-togethers to formal events.
It’s a good idea to start with a solid set of silver cufflinks for your first pair, owing to the fact that they look fantastic and go well with almost everything. Silver is the most common material for most cufflinks, with many designs featuring some sort of colored stone or enamel insert to add a bit of contrast.
Our pick is this pair from J. Crew, which is crafted from genuine sterling silver with a deep black onyx face that puts it well above cheaper cufflinks constructed of stainless steel and colored enamel. Aside from the quality materials, the classic and simple design of these cufflinks means you can don them with just about any French cuff dress shirt, suit, tie, and pocket square combo you can pull from your closet.
After you’ve built a nice rotation, the J. Crew silver and onyx cufflinks will likely remain the most versatile pair you’ll have in your collection. Even if you only end up with one or two French cuff shirts and don’t plan on buying more than a single set of links to wear with them, this is the pair to get.
Pros: Made of genuine sterling silver with a striking black onyx face, and the classic style places these cufflinks among the most versatile ones you can have in your rotation
Cons: The classic design is decidedly plain
Buy the J. Crew silver and onyx cufflinks for $88
The best knot cufflinks
Why you'll love them: The casual appeal of these Brooks Brothers knot cufflinks make them the perfect complement to any spring and summer ensemble.
Along with knit ties, contrast-tipped pocket squares, and monk strap shoes, knot cufflinks have become one of the biggest stars of the 21st-century menswear renaissance. It’s easy to see why: Knotted cufflinks are inexpensive, colorful, and casual compared to their metal counterparts, perfectly capturing the conservative-yet-lively ethos of American prep.
It’s only proper, therefore, that our pick come from Brooks Brothers, America’s oldest clothing retailer and the undisputed champion of preppy menswear. This style is considerably more casual than our other picks, but the Brooks Brothers knot cufflinks are the perfect way to introduce a little pop of color to any spring or summer suit when worn with an appropriate pocket square and necktie.
These would pair extremely well with knit tie or a contrast-tipped pocket square featuring the same color as the knotted fabric of the cufflinks. You could also just ditch the necktie altogether for a super-casual warm weather look. This is perhaps the only time you can do this with a French cuff shirt, so go for it.
Nonetheless, you’ve got a ton of colors to choose from here — 35, in fact — and darker knots would also match your more conservative suits and ties very well. At only $10 per pair, these knotted cufflinks are cheap enough that you may as well grab a few to keep all your style bases covered.
Pros: The knotted style is perfect for casual suiting, they’re a great value at only $10 per pair, and you’ve got a myriad of colors to choose from
Cons: The design is decidedly more casual than most metal cufflinks
Buy the Brooks Brothers knot cufflinks for $10
The best gold-plated cufflinks
Why you'll love them: With warm gold plating and a deep burgundy Tudor rose insert, these cufflinks from Charles Tyrwhitt offer a striking yet understated English look.
Once you’ve got a pair or two of silver cufflinks, it’s not a bad idea to add some gold to your stable. When opting for this metal, it’s important to pare things down and pick links that aren’t too gaudy, as gold is generally considered a bit flashier than silver and can quickly veer into ostentation when you’re matching metals.
An under-stated accent like the burgundy rose face of the Charles Tyrwhitt cufflinks is perfect for adding some contrast that breaks up the gold’s hue a bit, as well as for bringing a touch of deep color to your outfit. In true British style, the dark red insert of these links appropriately depicts the Tudor rose, the heraldic emblem of England.
This historic symbol looks great by itself, but it also adds a bit of historic charm and always-welcome English style to the Charles Tyrwhitt cufflinks. The metal is truly gold-plated as well — not merely gold-colored brass — so you can enjoy all of the genuine glow and tarnish-free character of this beautiful precious metal.
Gold has a warmer tinge than silver, so it pairs very well with colors like green, orange, and red, whereas “cooler” metals like silver better complement grays and blues. Wear the Charles Tyrwhitt English rose cufflinks with any ensemble built around warm tones. For example, they’d make a perfect accent to a brown or olive green wool autumn suit.
Pros: The gold and burgundy create a lovely contrast, the deep red Tudor rose insert offers a touch of subtle yet highly attractive color, and they’re a great value for genuine gold-plated cufflinks
Cons: Gold isn’t as versatile as silver
Buy the Charles Tyrwhitt gold-plated and burgundy rose cufflinks for $59
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