If cufflinks could kill, which would you choose?
Cufflinks are a great way to showcase attention to detail, personal style and immaculate sophistication. They can be sharp and subtle, like a snub nosed .38 Colt, and elevate a strong look. Think Steve McQueen in Bullitt. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lbs_nYW3-o)
Cufflinks first emerged as a standard piece of men’s accessories during the 1800s in Europe and the UK. They were popularized by a description of the wealthy banker Baron Danglers in the Count of Monte Cristo, who wore “an enormous diamond that glittered in his shirt, and the red ribbon that depended from his button-hole.”
By the late 1800s, cufflinks had crossed the Atlantic, becoming popular in the US due to the development of a device – adapted from a Civil War cartridge shell making machine – that could produce cufflinks.
Packing heat on your French cuffs, however, means knowing which links to choose for the right outfit and the right occasion.
So how do you decide?
There is an encyclopedia of advice available on how to pick the perfect pair of cufflinks. Some of the most zealous include: match your metals. Wearing a gold belt buckle? Include gold elements in your cufflinks. Silk Knots (also known as monkey’s fists) are great for day-to-day office wear but not formal enough for special occasions. And no, they do not need to match your eyes.
Not all advice, however, is equally true and sometimes you should instead go with your gut. If you’re still not sure, ask a bespoke advisor which cufflinks would work best with your favorite suit. Or go for our versatile classic black links.
So leverage the cufflink’s deadly heritage and sharpen your lethal look.