The Art of Wearing Cufflinks: A Timeless Expression of Sartorial Elegance

Why the double-cuff shirt remains the hallmark of a properly dressed gentleman.

There was a time when dressing well was about more than simply putting on a suit. It was about the details. The cut of a jacket, the knot of a tie, the polish of a shoe and of course, the finishing touch of a carefully chosen pair of cufflinks.

Today, convenience has increasingly taken precedence over tradition. The single-cuff shirt, fastened with an ordinary plastic button, has become the default choice for many men, even when wearing beautifully tailored suits.

At TYLER & TYLER, we believe something has been lost along the way.

A button-cuff shirt may be practical, but there is something unmistakably elegant about a double-cuff shirt, secured with a beautifully crafted pair of cufflinks.

For us, cufflinks are not an optional flourish reserved for weddings or special occasions. They are an essential expression of sartorial elegance. We make no apologies for believing so!!

A Brief History of Cufflinks: Centuries of Sartorial Tradition

The story of cufflinks stretches back many centuries, to a time when gentlemen's shirts were fastened with ribbons, ties and decorative fittings.

During the 17th century, small ornamental fastenings began to emerge among Europe's fashionable classes. These early predecessors of modern cufflinks were often crafted from precious metals and sometimes embellished with gemstones.

As men's tailoring evolved throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, so did the cufflink. The increasingly structured shirt cuffs of the Victorian era helped establish cufflinks as both practical fastenings and expressions of personal style.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cufflinks had become firmly established in the wardrobes of well-dressed gentlemen.

They were worn by aristocrats, businessmen and fashionable men who understood that the smallest details could make a great impression.

Through the decades, cufflinks evolved in design, from understated precious metals to colourful enamel, engraved motifs and more adventurous decorative styles.

Yet their fundamental purpose remained unchanged: to secure a gentleman's shirt cuff with elegance and individuality.

Today, they represent a connection to a long tradition of considered dressing.

The Double-Cuff Shirt: A Sartorial Essential

Let's address something we feel rather strongly about.

A gentleman's wardrobe should contain double-cuff shirts - not merely one kept at the back of the wardrobe for weddings.

The double cuff, also known as the French cuff, is designed to fold back upon itself and be secured with cufflinks rather than conventional buttons.

That additional layer of fabric creates a more substantial, beautifully finished cuff. The cufflink provides the final detail, introducing an element of craftsmanship and individuality that an ordinary shirt button simply cannot replicate.

We also think the double cuff creates a better shape to base of the jacket sleeve.

A double-cuff shirt brings a certain sense of occasion to getting dressed, even when the occasion is simply another day at the office.

A beautifully tailored suit worn with a double-cuff shirt and carefully chosen cufflinks is, in our opinion, one of the finest expressions of traditional classic gentleman's dressing.

Why settle for an ordinary plastic button when you could wear something beautifully made?

Have We Become Too Casual About Dressing?

Menswear has undoubtedly become more relaxed.

Dress codes have softened, ties have disappeared from many workplaces and the distinction between formal and casual clothing has become increasingly blurred.

There is a place for relaxed dressing, of course. But we believe the movement towards convenience has sometimes come at the expense of elegance.

Too often, a suit is treated as little more than a uniform: jacket, trousers, shirt and perhaps a tie.

But true sartorial dressing has never been simply about wearing a suit.

It is about understanding the details that distinguish a well-dressed gentleman from someone who has merely dressed for the occasion.

A carefully selected pair of cufflinks demonstrates an appreciation for those details.

It suggests that thought has gone into the outfit, right down to the fastening of the shirt cuffs.

Elegance is rarely accidental. It is the result of considered choices.  Cufflinks Are Not Just for Special Occasions.

One of the great misconceptions surrounding cufflinks is that they belong exclusively at weddings, formal dinners or black-tie events.

We couldn't disagree more.

Cufflinks can, and in our view should, be worn as part of everyday smart dressing.

A navy suit, crisp white double-cuff shirt and understated silver cufflinks create a timeless classic menswear look.

A charcoal suit paired with a pale blue shirt and gold cufflinks introduces warmth and sophistication.

For gentlemen who enjoy a little more personality in their clothing, colourful enamel cufflinks offer an opportunity to introduce individuality without overwhelming an outfit.

Cufflinks can still form part of a smart casual look – a double cuff shirt, open collar, jacket and a pair of chinos is a great look.

The important thing is not the occasion -it is the care taken in getting dressed and that should never be reserved for special events.

How Should a Gentleman Wear and Style Cufflinks?

The art of wearing cufflinks is relatively straightforward, but a few principles are worth remembering.

Choose the Right Shirt

Traditional cufflinks are designed for shirts with appropriate cufflink holes, most notably double-cuff shirts.

The cuff folds back neatly, with the holes aligned so that the cufflink can pass through and secure the fabric.

Some single-cuff shirts are also specifically designed to accommodate cufflinks, although our preference remains firmly with the double cuff.

Consider the Metal Finish

Silver cufflinks are exceptionally versatile and work beautifully with navy, charcoal and grey tailoring.

Gold cufflinks introduce a warmer, more traditional appearance and can be particularly striking against white or pale blue shirting.

There is no requirement to match every metal accessory precisely, but a considered relationship between cufflinks, watch and other accessories can create a particularly harmonious appearance.

Don't Be Afraid of Colour

Cufflinks are one of the few opportunities a gentleman has to introduce colour and personality into traditional tailoring.

Enamel cufflinks, in particular, allow for wonderfully varied designs.

A subtle navy enamel can complement a business suit, while richer colours and more distinctive motifs can bring character to an otherwise restrained outfit.

The secret is balance.

Let your cufflinks complement your clothing rather than compete with it.

Allow the Cufflinks to Be Seen

A properly fitted jacket should reveal a small amount of shirt cuff beneath the sleeve.

This creates a pleasing visual balance between jacket and shirt while allowing the cufflinks to be appreciated naturally as the wearer moves.

Cufflinks should be noticed through the elegance of the overall outfit, not because the wearer is making a deliberate effort to display them.

Why Craftsmanship Matters

Not all cufflinks are created equal.

A well-made pair should possess substance, a quality finish and a design that rewards closer inspection.

At TYLER & TYLER, craftsmanship is fundamental to what we do.

Our cufflinks are manufactured in Birmingham, England, drawing upon the heritage of our family-controlled manufacturing business, which dates back to 1908.

Many of our designs are traditionally die-struck from brass, hand-enamelled and hand-finished by our team of skilled craftspeople.

These are not simply disposable fashion accessories. They are considered objects, designed to be worn, enjoyed and treasured for years to come.

We believe the craftsmanship of a cufflink should be worthy of the beautifully tailored clothing it accompanies.

Cufflinks: The Very Foundation of TYLER & TYLER

Cufflinks hold a particularly special place in our story.

TYLER & TYLER was built on cufflinks. They are the foundation of our brand and remain at the heart of what we do.

Our passion for them extends far beyond their function.  We appreciate their history, their craftsmanship and their ability to introduce personality into the most traditional of outfits.

Whether understated and classical or colourful and contemporary, a beautifully designed pair of cufflinks is a celebration of individual style.  It is this belief that continues to influence our designs and the way we approach British manufacturing.

We don't believe cufflinks should be consigned to the accessory tray between weddings.

We believe they deserve to be worn.

The Return of Considered Dressing

Perhaps it is time we rediscovered the pleasure of dressing properly.

Not because an occasion demands it, nor because a dress code insists upon it, but simply because there is satisfaction in making an effort.

Choosing a beautifully tailored jacket. Pressing a crisp shirt. Selecting a tie. Fastening a pair of cufflinks.  These small rituals are part of the enjoyment of menswear.  While fashions will inevitably change, genuine sartorial elegance will endure.

At TYLER & TYLER, we will always champion the double-cuff shirt and the art of wearing cufflinks.

Because being dressed and being well dressed are not quite the same thing.

And sometimes, the difference is found at the cuff.

Discover TYLER & TYLER Cufflinks

From timeless traditional designs to colourful hand-enamelled creations, our British-made cufflinks are designed for gentlemen who appreciate craftsmanship, individuality and the finer things in life.

Explore our British-made luxury cufflinks