What are cufflinks?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Cufflinks are decorative fasteners for dress shirts that have buttonholes on both sides of the cuff rather than a button, known as French or double cuffs. Each cufflink has a decorated face on the outside of the cuff, connected by a bar, chain or toggle to a backing that holds the two layers of fabric together. They are the dressiest shirt fastening and have a long history as personal statement pieces, made in metals from sterling silver through to gold set with gemstones.
Frequently asked questions
- What shirts do you wear cufflinks with?
- Cufflinks require a French cuff shirt, sometimes called a double cuff, which has an extra-long cuff that folds back on itself and has two buttonholes on each side rather than a button. Standard shirts with a single buttoned cuff cannot take cufflinks.
- What occasions are cufflinks appropriate for?
- Cufflinks are traditional for formal occasions: black tie, weddings, job interviews in conservative industries, and any event where a suit is expected. They add a considered, polished touch, and personalised or engraved pairs are popular as groomsmen and wedding gifts.
- What are the different types of cufflink fastenings?
- The most common is the bullet back or toggle, which flips flat to pass through the cuff and then rotates to lock. Whale-back fastenings use a rounded bar on a hinge. Chain links have flexible chains between the two faces, allowing the cuff to move more freely, and fixed post styles are simpler and less adjustable.
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