Gold cufflinks - a touch of luxury in the image of a man
As you know, men's fashion is more conservative than women's. Therefore, cufflinks are one of the few liberties that modern men can afford without fear of being branded as less masculine than they are. Today, cufflinks are not as popular as they were in the last century, and only a few people know how to choose and wear them correctly.
Features and Benefits
Cufflinks can be worn not under every shirt. These decorations can only be worn with shirts that have special openings on the cuffs for them. There are three main types of cufflinks:
- The French cuff is very wide and consists of two layers of fabric. The cuff is folded in width along the arm, and the edges are fastened with a cufflink. Many consider this option too pompous, so it is more often used for a formal tuxedo.
- Sports cuffs or, as they are otherwise called, Italian. This type of cuff has button closures. Such cuffs consist of one layer and do not have holes for cufflinks. This is a more democratic style and is often used in casual wear.
- The Vienna (combined) cuff consists of one layer. This option is considered the most versatile. The presence of buttons and holes for cufflinks at the same time allows you to wear a shirt with or without cufflinks. These shirts are informal and exempt from the mandatory presence of a jacket and tie.
Varieties
This accessory is distinguished by several types.
Symmetry
Cufflinks are symmetrical and asymmetrical. Double-sided or symmetrical cufflinks have embellishments on both sides. In cufflinks with asymmetry, one part of the front is the cufflink itself, and the other, back, is the clasp. This type of cufflink is more comfortable, as the clasp holds the jewelry on the cuff better.
hitch mechanisms
All fasteners for cufflinks can be divided into four types:
- Chain. This clasp is used in symmetrical cufflinks from two identical parts. Rarely found in modern models.
- The pin can be found in both types of cufflinks. Holds accessories very well.
- The English rotating T-clasp is used only in asymmetric cufflinks.
- Knot cufflinks are usually woven from silk threads. They are often sold in a set of different colors for several pairs. This is very convenient, because you can always replace the lost part with a new pair, and you can decorate the buttonhole of a jacket with a single one.
Execution type
Here you can highlight the classic version of cufflinks and thematic items. In the first case, these are strict forms, restrained colors, correct lines. Such accessories are neutral and therefore appropriate almost everywhere. It is enough to have in your wardrobe one such pair that is suitable for all occasions.
The second version of cufflinks, thematic, is most often chosen by people who want to emphasize their commitment to an idea or hobby. Anything can be depicted on them. However, there are a number of rules with what and how to wear such cufflinks.
For example, an accessory with an engraved logo of the company where its owner works would be out of place at a best friend's wedding. And the image of the breed of your favorite dog on cufflinks is unlikely to add pluses to the piggy bank of a person who claims to be a leader in a serious company.
Insert material
It can be the most varied. The most common of all is colored and plain enamel. Some firms offer exclusive models made of gold with inserts of precious woods and even animal bones. But, of course, jewelry with precious stones is considered aerobatics.
With what and how to wear
Gold cufflinks are a rather capricious accessory and it is difficult to wear them. On the one hand, accessories should tell a lot about their owner: about his position in society and financial solvency. On the other hand, they should not frankly shout about the wealth of their owner. Everything must be done in moderation.
Designers say that the color of the material of the cufflinks, if possible, should match the rest of the accessories. A watch, a signet, a tie clip - all this should be in harmony in color and style. It is not customary to wear gold cufflinks and gold watches, for example. It is better to wear a watch with a neutral bracelet.
Sometimes stylists can mix different shades of the same color, but if you're not a big haute couture specialist, stay monogamous when choosing jewelry.When going to a solemn event, where it is customary to appear in a tuxedo, it is better to choose inserts on cufflinks according to the color of the shirt. White metal jewelry is very appropriate.
Cufflinks can be worn not only with a jacket or tuxedo, but also with a cardigan and a vest. But with a tracksuit - not an option.
How to choose
The color of white gold is quite restrained, not striking and at the same time looks very noble, especially in a duet with diamonds. Such jewelry is beyond age - it can be worn to a wedding. White metal cufflinks will be a wonderful gift for a man for any occasion. At the same time, stylists advise choosing the size of cufflinks in proportion to age - the larger the number in the passport, the more impressive the size of the jewelry.
Jewelry made of yellow gold has always been considered a sign of great power. Such cufflinks can often be seen in businessmen, heads of large companies, diplomats. Gold color looks most advantageous with dark inserts. Yellow gold cufflinks encrusted with black pearls or black diamonds look very elegant. A more budgetary version of cufflinks is gold with dark blue or black enamel. It's great if the color of the insert echoes the color of the shirt or tie.
Since cufflinks are classified as jewelry, the price for them is often not small. However, even here you can save money by purchasing a variant of cufflinks with gilding. Such jewelry is obtained by electrolysis - in other words, when a layer of gold or silver is deposited on ordinary metal.
Brand news
Many famous brands produce cufflinks with precious and semi-precious stones. The most expensive representative of this kind of jewelry are cufflinks from Jacob & Co.Canary Diamond with yellow diamond. Their price is comparable to a work of art. It is just over $4 million. Their design is reminiscent of the solar system: in the center is a diamond the color of the sun, and around it, diamonds of the purest white color are scattered like planets.
The theme of space haunts the designers of another company. Artists of TF Est. 1968 decided to create cufflinks with the image of the sun and the moon. The feature of this model is that the mechanism comes into action with every movement and the luminaries begin the changing of the guard.
Also noteworthy are the cufflinks of the French company Rochet with rubber. Products look concise and somewhat ascetic. Execution from surgical steel, with accurate lines. A rubber insert only slightly dilutes this strict design.
Interesting models
With coat of arms of Russia
In recent years, a surge of patriotism has been observed in our country. In this regard, many manufacturers offer cufflinks with the coat of arms of Russia. The crowned double-headed eagle, not releasing the eternal symbol of power from its tenacious claws, migrated from the coat of arms to the cufflinks of a high-ranking official.
Engraved
A very interesting gift would be an option with an engraving of the owner's name or a monogram of his initials. They will not add excessive frivolity to his image, but at the same time they look very stylish.
with compass
Now it is fashionable to endow some object with additional properties. Like a calculator on your phone. So the jewelers decided to keep up with the engineers and created a model of cufflinks with a compass.
With precious and semi-precious stones
These are decorations for special occasions. Cufflinks with diamonds made of combined gold look beautiful. This solemn version of the decoration will be appropriate, for example, for the groom.
For celebrations, you can choose products among Russian brands. So, for example, silver cufflinks with amethyst under the Gourji logo are a universal option. They can decorate both a man and his lady. The white color of the metal does not distract attention from the stone, shading it favorably.
Jewelry with black stone - for example, with onyx, is best framed in yellow metal. This stone is quite rare in nature. In addition, many believe in the healing power of this mineral. But it is believed that in order for the stone to start “working”, you need to receive it as a gift from a person with good intentions.
Classic models
Many brutal men prefer an ascetic design, straight, clear lines without frills. But in this case, you can add a small touch to the portrait. Cufflinks with an engraving of the owner's name or monograms of his initials look very stylish.
Cufflinks as a gift
Cufflinks, like any piece of jewelry, can be a great gift. But at the same time, it is worth considering all the nuances: age, status, hobby, profession. A respectable head of the family is unlikely to appreciate cufflinks with the image of a female bust, and a young guy will find cufflinks with intricate ornaments boring to say the least. The gift should be on the topic and to the place.