1. Definition
Cufflinks are small, decorative accessories that fasten the long double French cuffs on the shirt`s sleeves. Cufflinks are placed only on special shirts whose sleeves are double longer than the standard ones and are folded up twice upwards. They do not have sewn buttons or additional fasteners, but have special slots and are always worn with cufflinks.
2. The appearance of the First Cufflinks
It all began in France during the time of King Louis XIV when the cuffs of the shirts were fasten with ribbons. Over time, the ribbons were replaced with the glass buttons tied with a string. All of them were handmade and decorated with precious stones. At the beginning of the 19th century, the development of technology made it possible to produce cufflinks from cheaper materials imitating precious metals. So the price of cufflinks became accessible to most people. At that time cufflinks became a separate line of men's fashion accessories collections.
3. The first fashion trends
The appearance of cufflinks is closely related to the development of the men's shirt. The men wear clothes similar to a shirt just after the invention of fabrics in the 5000 years before the New Age. Although styles and production methods change, the basic shape of the shirt remains the same: a tunic opens in the front with sleeves and a collar. As we mentioned above at the time of King Sun - Louis XIV, the cuffs of the shirts were fasten with ribbons. Over time, the ribbons were replaced by glass buttons tied with a string. By the middle of the nineteenth century, cufflinks were a privilege of the elite, the rich and the aristocrats. All of them were made by hand and decorated with precious stones. The regular citizen could only be envy for the elegance of some chic outfits for people enjoying this luxury at that time.
In the nineteenth century, the former aristocracy`s splendor was replaced by the bourgeois efficiency of the new working classes. Since then, men carry a high conventional wardrobe: a dark suit during the day and a shirt, evening jacket or coat. Since the middle of the 19th century, middle-class and upper-class people have begun to wear cufflinks. The Industrial Revolution has allowed them to be produced on a massive basis and available in every price category.
4. Cufflinks - the 19th and 20th centuries
The cufflinks made of precious stones were originally worn only by men with very high self-esteem. This situation has changed when the Prince of Wales, and later Edward VII, has popularized Fabergé's colorful cufflinks in the nineteenth century. At that time, cufflinks became a fashion accessory and one of the few jewels for men in the UK and the United States. This development continues in the early 20th century. Cufflinks appear in any form, shape, color and material, including both precious stones and semi-precious, and in their cheapest option, even stained glass. Especially popular are the colored enameled cufflinks in all possible geometric shapes. All of them have been close in value, as Coco Chanel has turned these fashionable jewels into acceptable for mass wear. At the same time, development continues in Europe. In Germany, Idar-Oberstein and Pforzheim are key centers for the manufacture of cufflinks.
After the end crisis of the World War II in the 1950s, the gentlemen enjoyed a range of accessories including items such as a cigarette case, cigarette lighter, tie cord or necktie, a watch (now worn mostly on the wrist instead of a pocket), key chain, money clip, and last but not least a wide range of cufflinks.
In the 70s of the last century, cufflinks lost their mass fashion in the middle class. The fashion was dominated by the Woodstock generation and the shirts had mainly ordinary buttons. Very nice and precious cufflinks have been transformed into earrings.
In the 1980s, the tendency to wear traditional cufflinks has returned as part of a general revival in traditional men's clothing. This trend continues to more or less still today.
5. Cufflinks Nowadays
In the XX century, cufflinks were popularized and highlighted by many fashion brands and personalities that brought great changes to them and the materials they were made from. As technology evolves, materials are being developed. Contrary to popular belief, carbon fiber is not metal or steel, but it has some qualities which make it is superior to. So with its popularization as a material, the production of all accessories - belts, business cards, business card holders, furniture, home accessories, jewelry, key chains and of course cufflinks is also being started. The beautiful and unique carbon fiber pattern often puts it among the most preferred materials for not only personal accessories but also individual projects for the whole home or vision.
Whether made of stainless steel, bronze, gold, rhodium, carbon fiber or silver, cufflinks are still (and will remain) a great approach to emphasizing your personal style.
Nowadays, cufflinks are also used not only by men but also by women. Official silk dresses with silk extra cuffs are to be put on with cufflinks as well.
They vary in style and modern gentlemen and ladies are looking for real and unique masterpiece jewelry. Take a look at our Cufflinks Made of Carbon fiber and you'll know why they are an eternal male accessory.
