Freshly polished shoes? Check! Perfectly tailored suite? Check! Quirky cufflinks? …
Much like the matching of shoes can help to elevate an outfit, or a coordinated pocket square adds a special touch to a suite, cufflinks, are an essential accessory of any well-groomed man’s wardrobe.
So what is the history behind this form of jewellery? The cufflink originally appeared in the early 1500s when prominent figures began wearing their shirts with ruffled wristbands tied together with strings. While this style remained popular until the 1800s, the early 1700s saw the introduction of gold and silver linked chains.
Legend says that the modern day cuff link was born through a character in the pages of Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, who wore large diamonds on his shirt cuffs. These sparked great envy and tailors quickly realised how important the details of a gentleman’s clothing could be.
It has become apparent through time that cufflinks carry more significance then their size would indicate. They represent a rare opportunity for men to display their personality through the use of accessories. While classic cufflinks represent elegance and refinement, quirky cufflinks embody an ability to stand out from the crowd.
For some added inspiration, we have rounded up a collection of the top ten quirky cufflinks from our favourite luxury brands.
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Text: Hira Desai
Images courtesy of:
Alexander McQueen
Cartier
Dior
Burberry
Gucci
Hermes
Louis Vuitton
Montblanc
Salvatore Ferragamo
Versace
