To someone who isn’t an avid cufflink wearer, cufflinks are cufflinks, and the different types would be completely lost on them. Whether it’s a pair of cufflinks from a Christmas cracker or a pair of designer cufflinks, there are a number of different cufflink types out there to fasten your shirt cuffs.
Each cufflink type comes with a different look and unique benefits, which is why it’s important to consider a number of different types of cufflinks when selecting the right ones for you.
Detailed below are just some of the different types of cufflinks available.
Fabric Cufflinks
First up are fabric cufflinks, which don’t have a specific fastening, but have a fabric finish instead of glass, jewelry, enamel, or metal. These cufflinks are best worn in more casual scenarios due to their simplicity. As a result, they’re a popular choice for office wear.
Some people prefer fabric cufflinks due to them being more subtle. In fact, fabric cufflinks often look more like buttons than cufflinks, which is why they’re so often chosen. Not everyone appreciates the flashy nature of cufflinks; however, they need to fasten their shirt cuffs with something.
Whale Back Cufflinks
Secondly is whale back cufflinks, which comprise a flat rigid “whale tail” that attaches to a slightly curved or completely straight post via a pivot point. These cufflinks are simplistic, as the whale tail gets flipped against the post, ready for the post to be threaded through the cuff holes. The cufflink is then secured by flipping the whale tail back.
Due to the simplicity of this design, whale back cufflinks are among the most popular choices for cufflink wearers. This includes beginner wearers, as the navigation of the design couldn’t be much more straightforward.
Torpedo or Bullet Back Cufflinks
Next are torpedo or bullet back cufflinks, which are the most commonly found cufflinks, meaning they’re adopted by most wearers. An alternative name for these cufflinks is “toggle cufflinks”, and they’re renowned for being easy to fasten, providing the wearer with zero hassle. They work by way of a bullet that’s pivoted between two posts, which gets flipped to run between the two posts. This then enables the wearer to thread the cufflinks through the cuff holes, ready to flip the bullet back to secure the cufflinks in place. Like whale back cufflinks, torpedo back cufflinks are beginner friendly.
Button or Stud Style Cufflinks
Penultimately are button or stud style cufflinks, which provide the most secure fastening when it comes to cufflinks. This is because the fixed backings are made from the same material as the front, which creates rigidity. As a result of these stationary parts, though, the fastening of these cufflinks can be a tricky procedure. Once you’ve got the hang of this fiddly aspect, this type of cufflink comes with a number of benefits. For instance, cuffs get brought together very closely, and the cufflinks themselves are also smaller and lighter. As a result, the end product is elegant and stylish.
Chain Link Cufflinks
Last but certainly not least are chain link cufflinks, which are the original and most traditional types of cufflinks. These are also easy to navigate, as the chain can be threaded through the cuff holes with ease. Similarly, both ends are the same, meaning you needn’t worry about which way you wear them. That said, chain link cufflinks provide the wearer with a looser-fitting cuff, which might not suit everyone’s personal tastes. As a result, they’re not quite as popular as whale back or torpedo back cufflinks, but they still look great.
