How to Put on Cufflinks? 10 Simple Tips with Tutorial

Most men own a pair of cufflinks and have no idea how to wear them without looking like they’re trying too hard. I’ve watched countless clients fumble through black-tie events or important business dinners because they treated cufflinks like costume jewellery instead of functional accessories with specific rules.

The fit of your shirt cuffs determines everything else. If your French cuffs are too loose, the cufflinks will slide around and look sloppy. Too tight, and they’ll bunch up under your jacket sleeve. French cuffs should sit snug against your wrist with just enough room to slide the cufflinks through without effort. This is the foundation that makes everything else work.

I’ve been dressing men for formal occasions for a decade, and the cufflink mistakes are always the same: wrong shirt, wrong occasion, wrong proportions. But when you get it right, cufflinks transform a standard formal look into something that commands respect in any room.

Tips on How to Style Cufflinks

Match your metals to your watch

Your watch and cufflinks need to be in the same metal family — if you’re wearing a silver watch, choose silver or white gold cufflinks. Gold watch means gold cufflinks. This creates visual continuity up your arm and prevents your accessories from competing with each other. The red cufflink in this image works because it’s set in the same metal as his watch, creating a cohesive look that feels intentional rather than accidental.

Choose size based on your build

Larger men can handle substantial cufflinks like these wooden ones, while smaller frames need more delicate pieces. The rule I give every client: your cufflinks should never be wider than your shirt cuff. This bearded gentleman can pull off the chunky wooden bow tie and matching accessories because his frame supports the proportions. A slight man in the same setup would look overwhelmed.

Keep it simple for business settings

The more formal the occasion, the simpler your cufflinks should be. This relaxed look with an untucked shirt and loosened tie can handle more personality in the accessories, but in a boardroom, stick to classic gold or silver studs. Business cufflinks should be conversation starters, not conversation stoppers — subtle enough to be professional, interesting enough to be memorable.

Dos & Don’ts

Do this

Insert cufflinks from the inside of both cuffs — this keeps the decorative face visible and prevents the mechanism from catching on your jacket lining.

Choose cufflinks that match your belt buckle — both should be the same metal finish to create a cohesive look from head to toe.

Test your cufflinks before the event — make sure they slide through the buttonholes easily and the backing mechanism works smoothly.

Keep a backup pair in your formal wear — cufflinks have small moving parts that can fail at the worst possible moment.

Avoid this

Wearing novelty cufflinks to serious business events — save the skull-shaped ones for parties, not presentations.

Mixing metals randomly — gold cufflinks with a silver watch creates visual chaos that makes you look careless about details.

Choosing cufflinks larger than your shirt buttons — they’ll overpower the shirt and make your wrists look delicate.

Wearing cufflinks with regular button cuffs — you need French cuffs or convertible cuffs with buttonholes on both sides.

Did you know?

Cufflinks were invented because buttons were considered too feminine for men’s formal wear in the 17th century. Wealthy gentlemen preferred removable links that could be made from precious metals and gemstones to display their status.

When to Wear Cufflinks

Cufflinks belong at black-tie events, formal business dinners, and weddings — occasions where you’re already wearing a suit or tuxedo. I tell my clients that if you’re not wearing a jacket, you probably don’t need cufflinks. They’re meant to be glimpsed occasionally as you move, not displayed constantly.

The biggest mistake men make is wearing cufflinks to casual Friday or weekend events. Cufflinks with chinos and a polo shirt looks like you’re playing dress-up. Save them for times when the rest of your outfit matches their formality level — they should complement your overall look, not fight against it.

For business settings, stick to simple designs in gold or silver. Wedding guests can be more creative with colored stones or unique shapes, but remember that you’re not the star of the show. The goal is to look polished and appropriate, not to upstage the groom.

Essential Cufflink Styling Techniques

Classic Monochrome Checkerboard Links

Black and white checkered cufflinks with a black tuxedo create the perfect formal contrast without being flashy. The geometric pattern adds visual interest while maintaining the sophisticated black-tie dress code. This combination works best for evening events where you want subtle personality within strict formal parameters.

Turquoise Statement Cufflinks with Business Attire

Four blue gemstone cufflinks paired with a crisp white dress shirt bring colour to corporate wear without crossing professional boundaries. The structured square setting keeps them business-appropriate while the bold blue creates a memorable detail. Perfect for client meetings where you want to show personality while maintaining credibility.

Navy Bow Tie and Pinstripe Waistcoat Ensemble

A navy pinstripe three-piece suit with matching bow tie demonstrates how cufflinks complete formal daywear. The white French cuffs provide the perfect canvas for understated links, while the waistcoat adds traditional formality. This outfit works for daytime weddings, formal business events, or any occasion requiring traditional British tailoring.

Navy Pinstripe Power Suit

A navy pinstripe suit with white dress shirt and burgundy tie creates the foundation for quality cufflink display. The wide pinstripes add visual texture while maintaining business formality, and the contrasting white cuffs frame whatever cufflinks you choose. This combination suits senior executives, formal presentations, or high-stakes business meetings.

Quick tip

Insert cufflinks with the toggle perpendicular to the cuff, then rotate to secure.

Gold Geometric Cufflinks with Minimal Styling

Simple gold pyramid-shaped cufflinks with a plain white shirt create understated luxury without ostentation. The geometric design adds modern appeal while the gold finish provides warmth against crisp cotton. This pairing works for business casual events, dinner dates, or any setting where you want refined detail without formal dress codes.

Complete Formal Accessory Set

A coordinated collection of white shirt, black trousers, blue striped tie, silver cufflinks, black leather accessories and patterned socks shows how cufflinks integrate with your total look. Each piece complements the others without competing for attention, creating a cohesive business outfit. This approach works best when you want polished professionalism with subtle personality touches.

Batman-Themed Novelty Cufflinks

Black bat-shaped cufflinks with a burgundy tie create playful contrast against formal shirting. The novelty design works because everything else remains traditionally formal, letting the cufflinks be the conversation starter. Best suited for creative industries, casual formal events, or occasions where personality matters more than conservative dress codes.

Quick tip

Match your cufflink metal to your watch and belt buckle for coordinated styling.

Burgundy Shirt with Casual Elegance

A rich burgundy textured shirt demonstrates how cufflinks work beyond traditional white dress shirts. The deep colour provides sophisticated backdrop while the casual collar keeps things relaxed, perfect for dinner dates or evening social events. This approach suits men who want to show attention to detail without full business formality.

Black Tie Formal with Statement Cufflinks

A black dinner jacket with white wing-collar shirt and decorative studs shows cufflinks at their most formal. The white bow tie and pocket square create classic evening wear proportions, while ornate cufflinks add personal flair within strict dress codes. Reserved for black-tie events, galas, or formal evening celebrations where traditional rules apply.

Grey Three-Piece with Patterned Cufflinks

A light grey houndstooth three-piece suit with striped tie and patterned cufflinks demonstrates layered formal styling. The waistcoat adds traditional structure while the textured suit fabric provides visual interest, making quality cufflinks the perfect finishing detail. This combination works for formal daytime events, traditional weddings, or business occasions requiring polished presentation.

Quick tip

Choose simple geometric shapes for business settings, save novelty designs for social events.

Formal Wedding Ensemble with Boutonniere

This navy suit demonstrates perfect formal cufflink coordination — the silver cufflinks echo the tie pin while staying understated beside the floral boutonniere. The proportions work because each detail has breathing room, creating a polished look that doesn’t compete for attention. Ideal for grooms or wedding guests who want refined formality without appearing overdressed.

Brown Herringbone Suit with Classic Gold Cufflinks

Round gold cufflinks provide the perfect warm metal accent against this textured brown herringbone jacket. The matching gold tones between cufflinks and what appears to be a watch create intentional coordination without being matchy. This approach works best for business formal or dinner events where you want traditional refinement.

Contemporary Blue Geometric Cufflinks

These bright blue hexagonal cufflinks prove that formal doesn’t mean boring — the geometric shape and bold colour create a modern focal point against the crisp white shirt. The single pop of colour strategy works because everything else remains neutral, letting the cufflinks be the statement piece. Perfect for creative professionals or anyone wanting to add personality to business attire.

Quick tip

Keep coloured cufflinks muted in professional settings — burgundy, navy, or forest green work best.

Traditional Grey Double-Breasted with Patterned Cufflinks

The subtle patterned cufflinks complement this grey double-breasted jacket without overwhelming the formal silhouette. The small-scale pattern on the cufflinks provides texture interest while maintaining the sophisticated tone required for business or formal events. This combination works for conservative professional settings where you want quality details that don’t shout.

Green Stone Oval Cufflinks

These green oval cufflinks with their simple bezel setting demonstrate how coloured stones can add richness without flashiness. The organic oval shape feels less rigid than geometric alternatives while the muted green tone works as a subtle accent. Best suited for evening events or when you want jewellery-quality details that enhance rather than dominate.

Navy Suit with Multiple Accessories

This outfit shows how to layer multiple accessories — watch, ring, bracelet, and cufflinks — without looking overdone by keeping everything in coordinated metal tones. The black accents across different pieces create cohesion while the navy suit provides a strong neutral base. Works for men who enjoy wearing jewellery but want to maintain professional appropriateness.

Quick tip

Practice putting on cufflinks before important events to avoid last-minute struggles.

Rose Gold Apple Watch Cufflinks

These Apple Watch-inspired cufflinks bring tech aesthetics to formal wear, with the rose gold finish adding warmth against the white shirt. The modern square shape provides contemporary edge while the precious metal finish maintains formality. Perfect for tech industry professionals or anyone who wants to blend modern and traditional dress codes.

Burgundy Bow Tie with Matching Cufflinks

The burgundy cufflinks perfectly echo the bow tie colour, creating intentional colour coordination that elevates this formal white shirt look. This matching approach works because both pieces are the same saturation and tone, creating cohesion rather than coincidence. Ideal for black-tie events or formal occasions where coordinated accessories show attention to detail.

Key takeaways

Insert cufflinks from the back of the cuff, ensuring the decorative face sits flat against the fabric
Choose metal tones that coordinate with your watch and other accessories for cohesive styling
For formal events, opt for classic shapes and muted colours that enhance rather than dominate your look
When wearing multiple accessories, keep them in the same metal family to avoid visual chaos
Size your cufflinks appropriately — smaller for business, larger for evening events
Practice the insertion technique beforehand, as fumbling with cufflinks undermines their polished effect