How to Wear Cufflinks: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
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Cufflinks are one of those small details that instantly make an outfit look intentional. Whether you’re heading to a wedding, a work event, or a formal dinner, wearing cufflinks correctly comes down to two things: the right shirt and a clean, secure fastening. (And yes—once you know the technique, it takes about 10 seconds.)
This guide walks you through exactly how to wear cufflinks, what shirts they work with, and how to match them to the rest of your look.
1) First: Make sure you have the right shirt
Cufflinks are designed for double cuffs, also called French cuffs—the longer cuffs that fold back on themselves and have buttonholes instead of buttons.
Quick check
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If your cuff has sewn-on buttons: cufflinks usually won’t work.
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If your cuff has two aligned holes and no buttons: you’re good.
Tip: If you’re buying a shirt specifically for cufflinks, search for “French cuff” or “double cuff” in the product description.
2) How to put on cufflinks (the easiest method)
Most cufflinks are worn with the cuff folded back neatly (French cuff style). Here’s the cleanest way to do it:
Step-by-step
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Put the shirt on first (it’s easier to align cuffs on your wrist).
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Fold the cuff back so the folded edge looks crisp and even.
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Line up the holes on both sides of the cuff (you’ll be fastening four layers of fabric).
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Insert the cufflink through the holes from the outside toward the inside (or the way your cufflink design looks best).
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Fasten the back (toggle/whale-back, fixed back, or chain link).
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Adjust so the face of the cufflink sits flat and centered.
That’s essentially the classic technique: slide it through both sides and secure it.
3) Cufflink types (and how they fasten)
Knowing your cufflink type makes step 5 above feel automatic:
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Toggle/Whale back: Flip the small bar horizontal to lock it.
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Fixed back: No moving parts—just push through and it’s set.
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Chain link: Two ends connected by a chain; more traditional, a bit looser.
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Stud-style: Push-through fastening; sleek but can take a moment to align.
If you’re gifting cufflinks, toggle-back styles tend to be the most beginner-friendly.
4) How cufflinks should look when worn
A good cufflink fit looks “quietly sharp,” not flashy or awkward.
The ideal look
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The cufflink face is flat, not tilted.
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Your cuff sits just past the jacket sleeve (a small cuff peek is the point).
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Both cuffs match in height and tightness.
If one side keeps slipping, it usually means the cuff holes aren’t aligned through all layers—re-thread slowly and evenly.
5) Style rules: matching cufflinks to the rest of your outfit
Cufflinks can either blend in or be a subtle statement. The simplest styling rule: coordinate metals and formality.
Match the occasion
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Black-tie / weddings: simple, classic designs (silver/gold) are safest.
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Business / interviews: understated shapes and finishes.
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Parties / social events: you can go bolder—shapes, engraving, textures.
This “occasion-first” approach is also how Moss recommends thinking about cufflinks: classic for formal, more creative for social settings.
Match your metals
Try to keep your cufflinks consistent with:
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your watch case (silver ↔ silver, gold ↔ gold)
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your belt buckle and tie bar (if you wear one)
Add personality (without shouting)
Personalised or engraved cufflinks add meaning without overwhelming the outfit—especially if the shirt and suit are classic.
On Ikkado, the cufflink range emphasizes custom engraving (initials, dates, short messages) and multiple finishes like silver, gold, black, and rose gold, which makes matching much easier.
6) Common cufflink mistakes (and how to fix them)
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Wearing cufflinks with the wrong shirt
Fix: choose French/double cuffs. -
Cuffs too loose or too tight
Fix: align holes cleanly; don’t force the cuff into position. -
Over-accessorising
Fix: if cufflinks are bold, keep tie + pocket square more minimal. -
Wrong direction
Fix: wear them so the face is upright when your arms rest naturally.
7) Caring for cufflinks (so they stay sharp)
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Store them in a small box or pouch so they don’t scratch.
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Wipe with a soft cloth after wear (especially if you’ve handled fragrance).
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Keep them away from water/chemicals when possible.
FAQs (great for SEO + featured snippets)
Do you need a special shirt for cufflinks?
Yes—cufflinks are made for French/double cuff shirts with buttonholes instead of buttons.
Which way do cufflinks face?
Usually the decorative face sits on the outside of the wrist, lying flat and centered.
Are cufflinks only for formal events?
No. They’re most common at formal events, but simple cufflinks also work for workwear and smart-casual outfits—just match the design to the occasion.
What should you engrave on cufflinks?
Popular options: initials, a wedding date, a short phrase, or coordinates—small text works best on minimal designs. (Ikkado’s cufflinks are positioned specifically as engraved/personalised pieces.)
