Have you ever wondered what collars and cuffs do to a man’s dress shirt? Why are they such an important part of this rather mundane garment? Well, let’s admit it. Men look more formally made up with the help of these underrated parts of their getup. Sure, they are there so that dress shirts won’t look awkward when put on (imagine one without a collar and with no cuffs at the end of the long sleeve!), but did you know they actually have certain types and styles too?

Collars on a man’s shirt serve as a frame for the face. One’s shirt collar is always visible, regardless of the type of jacket or tie, and plays an important role on how the wearer’s face will look to the observers. Collars come in a variety of styles, though two types are the most common: turndown collars and wing collars. Turndown collars are most often found on gentlemen’s shirts. These collars, as the name suggests, are turned down, forming sort of a triangle whose angles vary with the particular look one is aiming for. Wing collars, the collars that are frequently worn with the tux, are made up of a short shirt collar and two small “wings” at the front which are tucked behind the bow-tie.

Shirt cuffs, on the other hand, are one of the only visible parts of a shirt when a jacket is worn…besides the collar of course. They should extend one inch past the jacket sleeves to add a polished look to one’s ensemble. The two most common types of cuffs are the Button cuffs and the French Cuffs. Button cuffs are single cuffs which wrap around the wrist and are buttoned into place. They may have a single button or may be adjustable, with two buttons side-by-side. Button cuffs may have a small button on the sleeve, between the cuff and the end of the cuff opening, intended to prevent the area from opening and exposing the wrist. French cuffs, in contrast, is a double cuff, folded back and fastened to create a distinctive and distinguished appearance. French cuffs are not made to be rolled up, and without fastening them, they become a less attractive option to low maintenance men.

So, what to use in order to fasten the cuffs? The answer is the simple yet very elegant cuff link. A cuff link is designed to be worn specifically with French cuffs; they are very important to keep the cuffs in place. Cuff links come in different sizes, shapes, and designs. They can even be personalized by engraving your personal initials, important dates, or anything that means something to the wearer. There are also types that have studs. You can choose those adorned with semi-precious stones, but these usually come at a higher price. Cuff links nowadays are not limited to men; some types can just as easily be worn by women on their dresses and blouses. Simple as they may seem, a cuff link can add an air of elegance and distinction to the person who wears them, no matter what occasion they might be in!

Author Bio: Whether your interests are in silver, gold, artistic, sports, or other theme-related cufflinks we’ve got you covered. Cufflink Aficionado carries a broad range of men’s cuff links designed to meet each connoisseur’s individual style and interest. Our selection of cuff links are sure to top off that perfect look.

Category: Society
Keywords: mens cufflinks, engraved cufflinks, engravable cufflinks, cuff links, sports cufflinks, wedding