It’s that time of year when we reflect back on the year that’s ending and look forward to the possibilities, hopes, and intentions for the new year ahead.  Many people begin the process by setting goals or making resolutions.  Often these include eating healthier, working out, stopping bad habits, and incorporating new habits.  No matter what your resolutions include this year, dressing better should be on your list.  There’s truth in the old saying: “Clothes make the man” (attributed to Shakespeare and Mark Twain). When you look good, you walk taller, with presence and power.  So, here are some ways you can step up your game and step out a little more stylishly.

Choose Stylish Shoes

One things that is most often overlooked when reconsidering a wardrobe is the area of footwear.  Yet, this is one of the first things that people (especially women) notice!  Many times you are sized up by the fashion on your feet.  If you’re sporting a pair of clean Converse shoes, you’re probably laid back and fun-loving.  If you’re styling a pair of suede chukkas or a pair of leather double monk strap dress shoes, you’re most likely a man who appreciates classy, well-made footwear.  Regardless, your footwear reflects your personality and style.  So, what do your shoes say about you?  If they’re not telling the world the story you want, then consider changing your shoes so they make the right statement.

Wear A Tailored Suit

On a casual day off, lounging at home with the family, or barbequing with friends, a nice pair of jeans and a relaxed button down with the sleeves rolled up is absolutely the way to go. But when you’re out-and-about, or heading to work, consider a slightly more elevated look.  Few things make a man stand out the way a tailored suit does.  Yes, you can certainly wear an off-the-rack suit, but it just doesn’t fit the way a tailored suit does.  And the right fit is everything, and it speaks volumes about your confidence and authority!

Plus, a tailored suit offers you multiple options for wearing it.  You can dress it up or down, add layers, or keep it simple.

“Putting on a beautifully designed suit elevates my spirit, extols my sense of self, and helps define me as a man to whom details matter.”

—Gay Talese, Author

If the details matter, and if you like commanding attention, a tailored suit is the first step in the right direction.  

Choose the Right Accessories

Accessories, when done well, can take a good outfit up a notch.  Items like a classy watch or belt always make a statement, but often it’s the little things that really catch people’s eyes (especially the ladies’ eyes).  Choosing the right tie pin, or wearing a pair of stylish cufflinks can really add a special touch. And, they can also help you to show off your personality a little bit, too.  We can help you find the right pair with our huge selection, or you can call us at 1-866-4MY-CUFF for personalized assistance.

It’s easy to think of cufflinks as something a man may only wear once or twice in his life. However, this is not the case. There are many events that where cufflinks should be worn.  Here are five of the most common ones.

At a Charity Gala Event

Charity Galas are elegant and beautiful affairs, full of women in glittering jewels and lovely gowns.  For men, it’s an opportunity to wear your own set of jewels: your cufflinks.  When dressing for a charity gala, men are often asked to wear a tuxedo to match the drama and formality of the occasion. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still show your style, though.  For example, if you are attending a charity gala to raise money for your city’s zoo or animal rescue organization, you could choose one of these fun animal cufflink sets.

At an Evening or Formal Wedding

Evening or formal weddings are the most common events where cufflinks are expected.  Of course, all male members of the bridal party should wear cufflinks; however, in the case of evening and formal weddings, guests are usually asked to dress “to the nines,” complete with appropriately formal bow ties and cufflinks.  Cufflinks also make a wonderful groomsmen gift.

A Night Out on the Town

Cufflinks aren’t just for formal and fancy events!  Even though that’s what we often think of first, cufflinks can be work for a pleasant, relaxed night on the town.  Since men don’t have as many options as women when it comes to dressing up their outfits, cufflinks make the wonderful accessory and let you show off your personal style, as well as your personality, hobbies, and interests, like with these fun Mr. Perfect cufflinks.  It’s the perfect time to have a little fun while staying classy.

In the Boardroom or at the Office

Most people wouldn’t think of wearing cufflinks to the office because they may be seen as overly formal for the environment. However, according to the Art of Style, “it is generally acceptable for senior employees and executives, such as CEOs, CFOs, and Managing Directors, to wear cufflinks on a normal basis since wearing them sends a signal of power…”  If you fall into one of these categories, wearing cufflinks can be a subtle sign of power, especially in a boardroom. You may consider one of these classy, engraved cufflinks to enhance your office wardrobe.

Another option in the office would be these roaring lions, that allow you to show off your powerful side, or these fun hole-in-one puzzle cufflinks that will help you stay awake during a boring presentation.

At a White Tie Event

A white tie event is by nature very formal with a strict dress code.  When invited to one of these events, such as a formal parties, the opera, and, if you’re really in-the-know, a White House dinner, male guests are expected to dress as elegantly as possible.   This includes a white full-dress shirt with white shirt studs, and white cufflinks. With these gorgeous sterling silver and pearl ones you can be the best dressed man at the event.

Of course, there are many other times and places you may wear cufflinks. Hopefully this has given you a few ideas so that the next time you get that invitation, you know just what to wear.

Cufflinks are often associated with fancy dinners and formal events. However, in more recent years, the rules have changed, and cufflinks have become a trendy accessory for the stylish man.  

New Rules for Cufflinks

For generations, well-dressed men have been wearing cufflinks. Today, modern wearers benefit from changing styles and updated trends.  One example of this is the rule that once stated cufflink-wearers must wear a jacket.  Thankfully, that’s changed, and it’s become acceptable to wear cufflinks without a jacket. This allows the cufflinks to be worn in more casual situations and with more laid-back clothing options, such as jeans!

Are All Shirts Equal?

For someone who hasn’t ever worn cufflinks before, the question of whether a shirt is suitable may seem strange, or even a little pretentious.  But when picking your shirt, you really must be careful. Since buttons are quite different from cufflinks, the type of cuff you choose can dictate the type of fastener you need to use.

The Barrel Cuff

Most men’s dress shirts sold today come with buttons on the cuffs.  This type of sleeve is called the barrel cuff and comes with either one button or two.  The two button double-fold cuff (known as the cocktail cuff or Portofino) was made famous by the superspy, James Bond.

However, if you want to wear cufflinks there are two other types of shirts that you may choose from: french cuffs or single cuffs.

French Cuffs

French cuffs are more formal than barrel cuffs. They have extra length that is folded back and fastened with cufflinks.

This is the style of cuff that most people think of when they imagine a wedding or a semi-formal event. But although this is a popular cuff for tuxedo shirts, this style has recently become more popular in the business world, particularly in Europe.  It’s even become an acceptable option for everyday wear since it gives even something as laid back as jeans a more classy look.  

This is a nice bonus, because it means you can wear your cufflinks more often and to more places.

Single Cuffs

Single cuffs are even more formal than French cuffs and are basically double cuffs without the fold, fastened with cufflinks.  Since they are so formal, they are typically only worn for white tie events and are a preferred option for black tie events.  We have a wonderful selection of tuxedo sets that will take your look up another notch.

So, What Should You Choose?

Although some shirts that you purchase may allow you to wear either option, ultimately, if you want to wear cufflinks, you’ll need to make sure your shirt has holes in the cuffs rather than having only buttons.  If you aren’t sure how to wear your cufflinks with your french cuff shirt, the video below may be helpful.

Cufflinks are a great way to show your style, and Cufflinks Depot offers a huge variety of styles, from casual to designer, and from novelty to engravable, for you to choose from.  With over 5000 products, and orders that ship the same day ordered, we want to help you look your best, no matter the occasion.