Cufflink
Cufflinks
A cufflink is a decorative fastener worn by men or women to fasten the two sides of the cuff on a dress shirt or blouse.
Dating back to the seventeenth century, cufflinks came about when men wanted something more elegant for their shirts than ribbons or ties to hold together their cuffs. The cufflink has been a persistent element of men’s style for nearly 800 years. Prior to its existence, tailors used buttons solely as decoration, and men kept their clothes together with pins, laces and straps. During the 13th century, tailors began using buttons as fasteners.
The development of the worked (stitched) buttonhole during the Renaissance aided in the button’s popularity. But it wasn’t until the post-Renaissance period in the 1600s that two ornamented buttons, attached in the middle with a link of chain, became de rigeur among the upper classes of Europe, especially Great Britain. Jewelers began turning out what they called “sleeve buttons” in silver and gold, with etched or stamped designs, and often encrusted with precious gems. Royals commemorated weddings and other special events with them, and the wearing of cufflinks became the mark of a gentleman.
The practice of wearing cufflinks spread and became ubiquitous during the 19th century. Imitation gems such as glass paste, micah and crystal, as well as gold- and silver-plate and base metal alloys were all employed by jewelers to make cufflinks affordable to the masses. By the late Victorian period, cufflinks and shirt studs were essential to every gentleman’s wardrobe.
In 1970 the buttons on the shirt replaced the cufflinks and they became almost forgotten for some time. But after 20 years, in the beginning of 90-th, many men began to return to cufflinks, as the real jewelry art. At the same time women’s cufflinks fashion began to arise, and now it is one of the most fashionable accessories among the elite.
At the beginning of XX century cufflinks were the best gift. For example, when the Russian Empress Maria Feodorovna had to present a beautiful, unusual and solid thing, she ordered cufflinks shaped like cicadas from Faberge.
Cufflinks should match with other accessories in tone, and the watches, and scarf-pin are in the first positions to compare. It is categorically forbidden to wear a silver watches bracelet with gold cufflinks, and vice versa. It is also better not to wear too bright or unusual cufflinks to the classic watches or timer. Wearing cufflinks is allowed only with double-cuffed shirt (it is sometimes called France). It is not recommended to wear cufflinks with clothing with both buttons and cufflinks slots.
The cufflink has grown into a popular fashion statement for both men and women alike. Today, cufflinks can be found in any shape or style for all types of dress. From silver, gold, silk, mother-of-pearl, onyx, white gold, and much more, and it makes the history remain the glory of the early begin fro cufflinks before.