Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Men’s cufflinks fasten a cuff that has buttonholes on both sides and no sewn-on button. They are used on shirts with a double (French) cuff or a convertible cuff that takes either a button or a cufflink. Besides classic metal cufflinks, there are also cufflinks made of two buttons joined by a chain, as well as silk knots – a more informal and more affordable alternative.
What a cufflink shirt is
A cufflink shirt is recognised by its cuff. Instead of a button on one side and a buttonhole on the other, both sides of the cuff have buttonholes, which are brought together one over the other and fastened with a cufflink that passes through four layers of fabric. There are three main types of cuff:
- Double (French) cuff – an extended cuff that folds back in half. The most formal option, obligatory with a dinner jacket and tailcoat.
- Single cufflink cuff – a cuff of normal length, but with buttonholes on both sides. Found on more classic and evening shirts.
- Convertible cuff – has a button and buttonhole like an ordinary shirt, but also an extra buttonhole on the button side. It is worn either with the button or with cufflinks – a practical choice for brands that want a versatile style.
Men’s cufflinks: main types
| Type | Mechanism | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet back | A small metal bar that swivels crosswise | The most common and easy to put on |
| Whale back | A flat plate that flips over | Secure fastening, easy to use |
| Chain link | Two decorative heads joined by a chain | Classic look, harder to fasten |
| Fixed | A rigid post without moving parts | Elegant, but the hardest to put on |
| Silk knots | Two balls of braided cord joined together | Informal, light and affordable |
Cufflinks made from buttons
An interesting alternative for brands is cufflinks made of two shank buttons joined by a short chain or a metal link. This way the cufflink can repeat the design of the jacket or shirt buttons – for example corozo, horn, mother-of-pearl or metal with an engraved logo. Shank buttons of about 16L–20L (10–12.7 mm) are suitable, as they are large enough to be seen but still pass through the cuff buttonhole.
This detail is particularly suitable for gift sets, corporate collections and boutique brands that want their own accessory with their logo. See the shank metal buttons and the engraved buttons as a basis for such cufflinks.
Silk knots – the easiest alternative
Braided cord knots are two small balls joined by an elastic or braided link. They are light, do not weigh down the cuff, do not scratch the desk and are easy to put on. They are available in many colours and combinations, so they are often used to add colour to an otherwise classic shirt. For brands, they are a convenient way to make a double-cuff shirt ready to wear straight from the shop, without the customer having to buy cufflinks separately.
Cufflinks and buttons as a corporate gift
Companies often look for accessories with their logo for employees, partners and events. A set of branded blazer buttons and matching button cufflinks is a more unusual gift than standard souvenirs and has real use. For such an order, specify the material, size, type of engraving and packaging in your first inquiry so that you receive a sample of the whole set.
What a shirt maker should plan for
Buttonholes
The buttonholes on a cufflink cuff should be slightly longer than those for a button, because four layers of fabric and the cufflink mechanism pass through them. The buttonholes are usually horizontal and positioned exactly opposite each other.
Interlining
The cuff is fused with a firmer interlining so that it holds its shape and does not bunch around the cufflink.
Buttons in the other positions
A cufflink shirt has ordinary buttons on the front placket and the collar stand. On dress shirts for a dinner jacket, the front is sometimes also fastened with studs instead of buttons. A small 14L button remains on the sleeve placket.
Packaging
Some brands sell the shirt with simple cufflinks or silk knots included – the customer can wear it straight away. Others leave the choice to the customer.
How cufflinks are worn
- Fold the double cuff back if the shirt has a French cuff.
- Bring the two sides of the cuff together so that their inner sides touch – “kissing”, not overlapping as with a button.
- Pass the cufflink through the four buttonholes with the decorative head on the outside.
- Turn or flip the mechanism to lock it.
Style and combinations
- Dinner jacket and eveningwear: double cuff, understated cufflinks in silver or black.
- Business suit: classic metal cufflinks or button cufflinks matching the accessories.
- Casual style: convertible cuff and coloured silk knots.
Common mistakes
- buttonholes that are too short, so the cufflink passes through with difficulty;
- overlapping sides of the cuff instead of sides aligned opposite each other;
- a button sewn onto a cuff intended only for cufflinks;
- button cufflinks with a head that is too large to pass through the buttonhole.
Shirt buttons and cufflinks from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia. We offer men’s buttons for shirts and blazers, including shank buttons suitable for button cufflinks, colour-matched to your sample and with a logo. Send an inquiry via the contact page and we will offer you samples.
