As most men would know, men’s formalwear has stood the test of time and changing fashion trends to remain a truly classic, timeless piece of clothing. But while wearing a suit never fails to get a nod of approval, some may say wearing formalwear is ‘playing it safe’, as it seldom leaves any room for experimentation. In fact, it is only the tiny cufflinks adorning the sleeves that give us any clue as to the wearer’s unique personality.
However, cufflinks are not a recent trend. Far from it, actually. Originating in the 16th century, the first makeshift cufflinks were actually strings that were used to tie the sleeve ends in place. It was only when French King Louis XIV ascended the throne in 1643 that these functional items evolved as status symbols, with the nobler classes wearing bejewelled versions to show off their wealth and power.
Centuries later, cufflinks have shifted from being status symbols to fashion statements, adding a dash of individuality to an otherwise strict dress code. In fact choosing the right cufflink can not only add a touch of uniqueness to your suit, it can also add oodles of charm to your outfit.
Gentlemen who prefer to keep things classic can choose time-honoured patterns like Burberry’s popular ‘House Check’, the very same print that is found on the underside of its famous trench coats. Those who like to shake things up a bit, however, may opt for something a bit more outré, like Prada’s futuristic robot motif or Tateossian’s mechanical designs.
Meanwhile, car lovers can wear their heart on their sleeves with Paul Smith’s racing car cufflinks, while those who want to evoke their youthful side may choose Dior’s Teddy Bear cufflinks that were re-introduced to celebrate the brand’s 70th anniversary.
Whatever your choice, there’s a cufflink for every mood and occasion – one that is sure to make your formalwear much more fun to wear.
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay