Prior to the 17th century, a cufflink referred simply to a ribbon that tied the cuff. However, the 1600’s saw the introduction of the French cuff, popular among royals for the status it suggested, rather than for its functionality.

Whilst cufflinks were previously made of silver, gold and pearl, at the end of the 19th century Edward VII popularised the colourful Fabergé style made with enamel. The introduction of these saw cufflinks become a fashion accessory that was finally acceptable for men.

The 1920s saw the popularity of the cufflink soar. Well known as the decade where there was no such thing as over-extravagance, gemstone adorned design became all the rage. The debonair gentlemen of the 1920s definitely knew how to wear cufflinks.

Coco Chanel rose to fame in the 1920s and it was her influence that made fashion jewellery more desirable than ever. Cufflinks began appearing in every colour, pattern and shape imaginable.

The evolution of the man’s shirt saw the popularity of the cufflink dip between the 1930s and 1950s, with the go-to shirt choice now being one with unstarched cuffs secured with a simple button.

However, the post-WW2 ‘gentleman’ was one who invested in a number of accessories; cufflinks being just one of them. The decades that followed (minus the 1970s) saw the cufflink cement itself as one of the most popular pieces of men’s jewellery.

Today’s cufflinks are made from a variety of materials, and this makes them a piece of jewellery accessible for everyone. For many, a cufflink is an accessory to be worn on a special occasion and is looked upon as a sign of sophistication. However, for ‘suits’ or city workers the cufflink is a staple of their everyday wardrobe. Cufflinks are therefore an excellent present to buy for your loved ones and have become a timeless piece of men’s jewellery that can be passed down through generations.

How to Wear Cufflinks

Types of Cufflinks