Whilst they only have a limited use now, cufflinks were a key essential to dress wear not so long ago. The gradual disappearance of this useful and classic accessory is a great shame as they add a touch of glamour and sophistication to even the dullest shirt. Today they have been replaced with simple plastic buttons already sewn on to the shirt cuffs, meaning that few people, particularly the younger generations, even know what a set of these delightful items is used for. However, for those people lucky enough to find shirts with cuff holes and not buttons, a delicate set of jewelled or monogrammed links are a beautiful and useful gift. What we know as cufflinksnow started off as mere cuff strings attached to the ruffled wristbands of the more fanciful shirts of the 1500s. These remained popular until the early nineteenth century, however, sleeve buttons of coloured glass were brought in during the early seventeenth century. These were joined by a short linked chain and paved the way for the styles that we see today. By 1715 the majority of sets were jewelled studs and diamonds or painted glass joined with small gold links. This is where the term ‘cuff-links’ originated from and is still in use today.

Nowadays cufflinkscome in a wide variety of designs, materials and styles and whilst they are not popular with everyone, the people who do use them are keen fans and are very appreciative of new and interesting designs that they can add to their collections. The variations of these designs is fascinating as they can come in any form for any occasion. Whilst the majority of the styles are for everyday use and are simple jewelled pieces, there are many more complex and interesting designs available. Depending on the tastes of the individual there is something out there for everyone. This could be a hobby inspired set, such as a football team or cricket design. These come in the more standard team colours or in some more imaginative images and slogans. There are also many designs featuring novelty objects such as champagne bottles or safety pins. There is a set with just about every design imaginable on it, which prescription cialis generic means that a pair can become the perfect present if it has been specifically chosen for the individual’s tastes.

Whilst cufflinks were originally designed solely for the use of men, fashions have changed and now women are sporting these desirable little accessories as well. This has meant that the designs available have been expanded even further to allow for this new market. Some of the novelty designs aimed specifically at the female market run along the same themes as those for the male. These are items such as household goods and random objects such as shoes or handbags. However, the most popular items for men and women are the more sentimental designs. These are often the engraved or personalised sets, although there are many different styles that can be special to people for different reasons. The engraved sets are ideal to have a set of initials or a date added to make them memorable and more meaningful. These are great for gift ideas or even just as a little something for yourself on a special occasion.

There are also designs that allow photographs to be included in a miniature photo-frame style. This makes the sets particular special and ideal as a gift or in memory of a lost one. Another idea for personalising a pair is adding the fingerprint of a child or loved one. This is something that is very unusual and will always grab the attention of others. Buying a set such as this usually involves taking an imprint of the desired fingerprint and then sending it off so that it can be embedded into the silver. These are particularly meaningful and high quality, meaning that they can be kept for a lifetime and treasured. The majority of novelty and themed sets are usually set in silver or a high quality metal, but pairs can come in silver or gold, with some companies even branching out into the silk knot sets. The quality of these is usually very high, although they are much more delicate than the silver versions and as such need to be treated with care. Originally these items were designed for everyday use, but now because of the changes of use sets have become a designer accessory that are ideal for gifts.

Author Bio: To explore our range of cufflinks further, please visit our website at http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk.

Category: Culture and Society/Shopping/Online Shopping
Keywords: cufflinks, gifts for him, birthday present