1. How do you choose the right cufflinks?

Start with the occasion. For a wedding or black-tie event, silver or white gold double-sided cufflinks or silk knot cufflinks are the correct choice – understated, versatile, and formally appropriate at any venue. For business and professional wear, the same applies: silver or white gold for meetings and presentations; a slightly more personalised design is acceptable for less formal professional settings. Next, match the metal to the rest of the outfit. The cufflink metal should connect to the watch, tie bar and any other metal accessory you are wearing. Silver cufflinks alongside a gold watch create a register conflict that reads as uncoordinated in photographs. Pick one metal family and keep everything in it. Then consider scale. A large, statement cufflink at a relaxed garden party reads as overdressed. A small, refined stud at a formal black-tie event reads as considered and precise. The scale of the cufflink should reflect the formality of the occasion. Finally – quality of material over novelty of design. A well-made sterling silver or white gold cufflink will look correct in every photograph from the wedding day and every year after. A novelty or themed cufflink will look dated within a season. For a wedding specifically: choose something you would wear again.

2. What cufflinks make the best groomsmen gift?

A simple silver or white gold double-sided design is the most reliable groomsmen gift cufflink – classic, versatile and appropriate alongside any suit colour. Personalised options with monogrammed initials or a significant date add meaning without adding visual noise. Avoid novelty or themed cufflinks for groomsmen gifts – they can look dated in the photographs. Buying cufflinks for your groomsmen? At Winslow Style We help coordinate cufflink style, metal and colour across the full wedding party – so everything from the suit to the pocket square to the cufflink reads as considered rather than assembled. Book a free consultation and bring the full party details.

3. How do I match cufflink colour to my suit?

Match the metal finish of your cufflinks to the other metals in your outfit – your watch, belt buckle, and tie bar. Silver and white gold work with every suit colour, from navy to sage to sand. Yellow gold works well with warm-toned suits in navy, tan, or champagne. The rule: pick one metal family and keep everything in it.

4. How do I style cufflinks with the complete wedding look?

Cufflinks work as part of a system. The metal should connect to your watch, tie bar and lapel pin. The scale should match the formality – a large statement cufflink at a relaxed garden party reads as overdressed; a small simple stud at a formal black-tie event reads as considered. At Winslow Style, we look at the complete accessory picture in the consultation – cufflinks, pocket square, boutonnière and tie are all chosen in relation to each other and to the suit colour and venue.

5. Can you wear cufflinks with any shirt?

No, cufflinks are specifically designed for French-cuff shirts, which have buttonholes but no sewn-in buttons. Regular shirts with sewn-in buttons won’t work with cufflinks.

6. Do cufflinks need to match my other accessories?

While they don’t have to match exactly, coordinating cufflinks with accessories like your tie bar, watch, or belt buckle creates a cohesive and polished look.

7. Are novelty cufflinks appropriate for weddings?

It depends on the wedding’s theme. For traditional weddings, stick to classic cufflinks. For casual or themed weddings, novelty cufflinks can add a fun personal touch.

8. How do I clean and maintain my cufflinks?

Use a soft cloth to clean metal cufflinks, and avoid harsh chemicals that can damage their finish. For gemstone or enamel cufflinks, a damp cloth is best to remove dirt gently.

9. Can I wear cufflinks with a blazer?

Absolutely! Cufflinks can elevate a blazer and make it suitable for semi-formal occasions. Just ensure the cufflinks complement the blazer’s tone and style.

Cufflinks Guide - How to Choose the Right Style for Weddings, Suits and Tuxedos

Introduction: Cufflinks

When it comes to adding those final touches to your outfit, nothing speaks sophistication and style quite like cufflinks. Whether you’re a groom preparing for your wedding, a groomsman standing by his friend’s side, or attending a special occasion, choosing the right cufflinks is essential.

Not only do cufflinks secure your shirt cuffs, but they also act as a subtle reflection of your personality and taste. From classic designs to playful pieces, the right pair can elevate your entire look.

For a wedding or black tie event, the two most appropriate cufflink styles are the classic bullet back and the double-sided silk knot. Silver or white gold finishes work with both black and navy tuxedos. Yellow gold works well with a warm-toned suit in navy or tan. Avoid novelty or themed cufflinks at a formal wedding – they undermine the overall look no matter how well the suit fits.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through four expert tips to help you pick the perfect cufflinks, whether for a wedding or any other formal or casual occasion.

1. Match the Cufflinks to the Occasion

Formal Events:

For occasions like black-tie weddings, galas, or formal receptions, your cufflinks should exude elegance and tradition. Opt for:

Materials: Silver, gold, platinum, or mother-of-pearl for a polished and timeless look.
Designs: Minimalist and refined, such as a satin finish or a simple gemstone inlay like onyx.
Styling: Pair cufflinks with a tuxedo and a French-cuff shirt for a cohesive formal look.

Pro Tip: If you’re wearing a tuxedo, ensure your cufflinks complement stud buttons on your shirt for a unified aesthetic.

Casual and Semi-Formal Events:

Less formal events give you room to experiment with cufflink styles and colours. Consider:

Playful Designs: Coloured enamel, quirky patterns, or themed cufflinks (like sports or hobbies).
Materials: Stainless steel, wood, or fabric for a relaxed yet stylish vibe.
Outfit Pairing: Match cufflinks with your blazer, casual suit, or even a patterned tie for a balanced look.

Pro Tip: Avoid overly flashy designs unless the occasion calls for it—let your cufflinks enhance your outfit without overpowering it.

2. Choose the Right Style of Cufflinks

Understanding Cufflink Mechanisms:

Bullet Back: The most versatile and user-friendly option, suitable for all occasions.
Chain Link: Traditional and elegant, adding a vintage flair to your outfit.
Stud Style: Perfect for formal occasions, offering a sleek and minimalist look.
Novelty Designs: Playful and creative, these work well for casual or themed events.

Matching Style to the Occasion:

Formal Settings: Stick to chain link or stud cufflinks for a clean and classic appearance.
Casual Settings: Opt for bullet back or novelty cufflinks that show off your personality.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, a classic silver or gold bullet-back cufflink is versatile enough to work with almost any outfit.

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3. Select the Best Material for Your Outfit

Popular Cufflink Materials:

Gold and Silver: Timeless and luxurious, ideal for black-tie or formal events.
Gemstones: Onyx, sapphire, or mother-of-pearl for a sophisticated finish.
Enamel: Adds a pop of colour, perfect for semi-formal or casual occasions.
Wood or Stainless Steel: Great for modern or rustic-themed events.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Outfit:

Fabric Compatibility: Lightweight materials like enamel or wood work well with linen or cotton shirts, while heavier metals are better suited for structured suits.
Weather Considerations: For outdoor weddings in warmer climates, avoid overly heavy cufflinks that may feel uncomfortable.

Pro Tip: Always coordinate cufflink materials with other accessories, like your watch or tie bar, to achieve a cohesive look.

4. Coordinate with Other Accessories

Aligning Colours and Themes:

Match metallic cufflinks (silver or gold) with your belt buckle, watch, or lapel pin.
Use coloured enamel cufflinks to complement your tie, pocket square, or boutonnière.

Choosing Based on Theme:

Traditional Weddings: Stick to classic styles in neutral tones for timeless elegance.
Creative or Modern Weddings: Experiment with textured or patterned cufflinks to add personality.

Pro Tip: Keep your accessories balanced—too many bold elements can make your outfit look cluttered.

Bonus: When is it Appropriate to Wear Cufflinks?

Cufflinks are ideal for:

Formal Events: Black-tie weddings, galas, and awards ceremonies.
Semi-Formal Gatherings: Cocktail parties, garden weddings, or upscale dinners.
Creative or Casual Occasions: Quirky cufflinks can shine at themed events or casual celebrations.

They should always be paired with a French-cuff shirt for a polished appearance.

5. Cufflinks for a Tuxedo vs a Suit – The Rules Are Different

Most guides treat cufflinks as one universal category. They are not. What works on a tuxedo looks wrong on a business suit and vice versa.

For a tuxedo, the correct cufflink is understated and formal – a flat silver or gold double-sided stud, or a simple silk knot in black or white. The tuxedo shirt is already making a statement with its bib front and pleating. The cufflink’s job is to close the cuff cleanly without competing for attention. A novelty or heavily decorative cufflink on a tuxedo shirt undermines the entire formality of the look.

For a business or wedding suit with a French-cuff shirt, you have more range. The suit is less prescribed than a tuxedo, so the cufflink can carry slightly more personality – an engraved monogram, a subtle gemstone, or a coloured enamel detail that picks up a tone in the tie or pocket square. The key is proportion – the cufflink should feel considered, not decorative for its own sake.

6. What Metal Finish Works with Which Suit Colour

This is one of the most practical questions I get asked and almost no guide answers it directly.

Silver and white gold work with navy, charcoal, grey and black – the cooler end of the suit palette. They are the default choice for a black or navy tuxedo and work cleanly across most formal wedding looks. Yellow gold works with warmer suit tones – tan, camel, mid-brown and warm navy. It has a richness that complements earthy and autumn wedding palettes particularly well. Rose gold is the most versatile of the three – it works across cool and warm tones and has become increasingly popular for grooms wanting something slightly less traditional than silver.

The rule to apply: match the metal of your cufflinks to the metal of your watch. If your watch has a silver case, wear silver cufflinks. If it has a gold or rose gold case, carry that metal through to the cufflinks. It is a small detail but it is the kind of coherence that a discerning eye notices immediately.

7. Cufflink Size – What Most Guides Don’t Tell You

The standard cufflink face sits between 15mm and 20mm in diameter. Most mass-produced cufflinks sit at around 17mm which works for an average shirt cuff. However, the correct size is relative to the width of your shirt cuff.

For a made to measure or bespoke French cuff shirt – where the cuff width and the button spacing are cut to your exact wrist – a cufflink between 15mm and 18mm sits proportionally and closes cleanly without leaving a gap or pulling. If you are buying cufflinks for a made to measure shirt, bring the shirt to the fitting or check the cuff dimensions before purchasing. An oversized cufflink on a precisely cut cuff looks clumsy regardless of how expensive it is.

8. Groomsmen Cufflinks – Coordinate or Individualise?

There is no single correct answer here – it depends on how the wedding party is dressed and what the groom wants to achieve visually.

The most cohesive approach is for the groom to wear a slightly more elevated version of the same cufflink that the groomsmen wear – the same metal, slightly more refined detail or a personalised monogram on the groom’s pair only. This creates visual unity in the wedding party photographs while allowing the groom to stand apart in the close-up shots.

The second approach is full coordination – all groomsmen in identical cufflinks, often engraved with a date or initials, which double as a wedding gift. This works well for a more formal or traditional wedding where the wedding party look is tightly controlled.

What does not work well are completely unrelated cufflinks across the wedding party – different metals, different sizes, different finishes. In group photographs the inconsistency reads as an oversight rather than a personal choice.

9. What to Avoid – The Mistakes That Undermine the Look

Novelty cufflinks at a formal wedding. A themed or novelty cufflink – sports, hobbies, cartoon characters – is not appropriate at a black tie or formal wedding regardless of how well the rest of the outfit is put together. Keep that for a casual occasion.

Mixing metals within the same look. Silver cufflinks with a gold watch and a gold tie bar create visual noise. Choose one metal and carry it consistently through all your accessories.

Wrong closure mechanism for the shirt. A barrel cuff shirt – the standard button cuff – does not take cufflinks. You need a French cuff shirt for cufflinks to work correctly. If you are buying cufflinks, confirm with your tailor that the shirt has a French cuff before committing.

Oversized cufflinks on a slim lapel suit. Proportion matters. A large, heavy cufflink on a slim-cut suit with a narrow lapel creates a visual imbalance. Scale the cufflink to the scale of the suit.

Conclusion

Cufflinks are more than just functional accessories; they’re an extension of your personality and style. Whether you’re dressing for a grand wedding or a laid-back celebration, the right pair of cufflinks can make all the difference.

At Winslow Style, we understand the importance of details. That’s why we offer tailored consultations to help you find cufflinks and accessories that perfectly complement your outfit and the occasion. If you need any inspirations, visit our Instagram or Pinterest and let your creative juices flow.

So, what kind of cufflinks will you choose to make your look unforgettable?