Cufflinks UK Men's Guide 2026: When & How to Wear
Cufflinks are the only piece of men's jewellery that, if you turn up to the wrong event with them, makes you look underdressed instead of overdressed.
That’s because cufflinks aren’t decorative. They’re functional. A double-cuff shirt physically cannot be closed without them, the two folded cuffs on each sleeve have buttonholes on both sides instead of a button and hole, and without cufflinks the cuffs hang open. So when you arrive at a wedding wearing cufflinks, you’ve worn a double-cuff shirt, which signals you knew this was the right level of formal. When you wear them at a normal office meeting, you’ve made the wrong call.
That single rule, “cufflinks are functional, not ornamental”, explains every cufflink etiquette question men ask. When to wear them. What styles work where. What’s traditional, what’s experimental, what’s outside the rules entirely. Get it right and they’re the most refined accessory in menswear. Get it wrong and they’re the most overdressed.
This is the full UK guide for understanding, buying, and wearing cufflinks in 2026.
Up front: I run Monrich, a UK men’s jewellery brand at similar price points. That’s the lens for everything that follows.
You can see the current men's cufflinks line-up for reference as you read.
What are cufflinks?
Cufflinks are decorative fasteners worn on double-cuff (also called “French cuff”) shirt cuffs. The cuff has two parallel button holes on each side, which the cufflink passes through to close.
Two parts of a cufflink: - The face: decorative, visible part. Typically a button, plate, or sculptural design. - The closure: mechanism that holds the cufflink in the cuff. Common types: bullet back (small lever), whale back (flip closure), chain link, fixed bar, ball back, stud.
The face is what people see. The closure determines how easy the cufflink is to put on (some are easier than others, especially for one-handed users).
When to wear cufflinks
Cufflinks are not everyday wear. They require a double-cuff shirt (French cuff) which is a specific shirt style. Most modern shirts have button cuffs that don’t accept cufflinks.
Appropriate occasions
- Weddings: especially as a groom or in the wedding party
- Formal events: black-tie dinners, galas, formal awards
- Business formal: specifically traditional industries (banking, law, government), with double-cuff shirts and tailored suits
- Cultural events: religious / traditional ceremonies that include formal attire
Less appropriate
- Smart casual: cufflinks with smart casual outfits (jeans + button shirt) look out of place
- Office casual: modern office attire typically doesn’t include double-cuff shirts
- Casual everyday: cufflinks require formal dress
If you don’t already own double-cuff shirts, you don’t need cufflinks. If you own double-cuff shirts (or plan to for weddings / formal events), cufflinks are essential.
If you don’t already own double-cuff shirts, you don’t need cufflinks. If you own double-cuff shirts (or plan to for weddings / formal events), cufflinks are essential.
Types of cufflinks
Bullet back (most common)
A small T-shaped lever that pivots to fasten. The most secure and easiest one-handed type. Modern standard.
Whale back / Albert closure
A flat plate that flips 90 degrees to close. Traditional, requires two hands.
Chain link
Two faces connected by a small chain. Classic style. Looks elegant but the chain can tangle.
Fixed bar / fixed back
A solid bar that doesn’t move. Must be slipped through diagonally. Less common, less convenient.
Ball back
A small ball that pivots through the buttonhole. Easy to use, slightly less common.
Knot / silk knot
Two fabric knots connected by a small cord. Casual, used with linen / cotton shirts in spring / summer. Cheaper category.
Stud / shirt stud
For formal evening wear (tuxedo shirts), shirt studs replace cufflinks on the chest and standard cufflinks at the cuff.
For first cufflinks: bullet back style is the most versatile and easiest to use.
Sizes and proportions
Face sizes
- Small (10-12mm): subtle, refined. Works for slim cuffs and minimal aesthetic.
- Standard (14-18mm): classic men’s size. Most cufflinks fall here.
- Large (20mm+): statement, more visible. Suited to wider cuffs or bold style.
Match to cuff style
- Traditional French cuff: standard 14-18mm cufflinks
- Single cuff with cufflink holes: standard cufflinks
- Convertible cuffs: smaller cufflinks (12-14mm) often look better
Match to shirt formality
- Black tie / tuxedo: smaller, refined cufflinks (12-14mm), often with onyx, mother of pearl, or precious stone
- Business formal: standard size, often plain or subtle pattern
- Wedding: statement size and design appropriate for the role (groom can wear more elaborate, groomsmen more uniform)
For first cufflinks (occasional wear for weddings / events): PVD-plated 316L at £30-100 is the sensible range.
Materials and budget
For first cufflinks (occasional wear for weddings / events): PVD-plated 316L at £30-100 is the sensible range.
For business formal regular wear: sterling silver or gold vermeil (£150-400).
For investment / heirloom: solid gold (£400-2000+).
Monrich cufflinks use PVD-plated 316L.
| Material | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PVD-plated 316L | £30-100 | Daily formal wear, declared longevity |
| Electroplated 316L | £20-80 | Occasional formal wear |
| Solid 316L (silver-tone) | £25-70 | Minimal modern aesthetic |
| 925 sterling silver | £80-300 | Premium daily / traditional |
| Gold vermeil | £150-400 | Premium plated |
| Solid 9K-14K gold | £400-2000 | Investment / heirloom |
| Solid 18K gold | £1000-5000+ | Heirloom |
Matching cufflinks to your outfit
Match metals
The cufflink metal should match other visible metals on you: - Watch case - Tie bar (if wearing one) - Wedding band / signet ring (if visible) - Belt buckle (less critical, but matching looks intentional)
Gold-tone with gold-tone. Silver-tone with silver-tone. Mixed metal (gold + silver) is acceptable in modern menswear but should look intentional, not accidental.
Match formality
- Black tie: simple round cufflinks in silver, mother of pearl, or onyx
- Wedding: can be more elaborate, possibly engraved or themed to the wedding
- Business formal: subtle pattern, traditional shape, no statement designs
- Cultural / themed events: can match the event (e.g., golf-themed cufflinks for a golf charity dinner)
Match the wearer's style
- Statement cufflinks (chunky, sculptural, colourful) for confident wearers
- Subtle cufflinks (small, monochrome, plain) for conservative wearers
- Themed cufflinks (sports team, hobby, profession) for personality
Carries premium UK and international cufflink brands (Paul Smith, Tateossian, Aspinal of London) at £80-500.
Best cufflink brands UK 2026
Monrich
PVD-plated 316L cufflinks. BOGO permanent. Entry £45. Browse cufflinks.
Craftd London
Electroplated, broader catalogue. Entry £45.
Mr Porter / Selfridges (multi-brand)
Carries premium UK and international cufflink brands (Paul Smith, Tateossian, Aspinal of London) at £80-500.
Tateossian
British specialist cufflink brand. Wide range from £50 to £2000+.
Specialist jewellers (UK)
For solid gold heirloom cufflinks: Garrard, Theo Fennell, custom jewellers. £800-5000+.
Care and storage
Cleaning
- Wipe with soft cloth after wearing
- Sterling silver: occasional polish with silver cloth
- Solid gold: minimal care
- Avoid soaking in water (especially for cufflinks with stones or enamel inserts)
Storage
- Store in a cufflink box with separated compartments (each pair in its own slot)
- Or in a small fabric pouch (separate from other jewellery to avoid scratches)
- Match pairs always together (don’t store as single cufflinks)
Travel
- Pack cufflinks in a hard small case (cufflink storage case or even a pillbox)
- Keep with your other formal accessories (tie bar, collar stays) for easy access at events
That’s because cufflinks aren’t decorative.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need cufflinks for a suit?
Only if the suit is being worn with a double-cuff (French cuff) shirt. Most modern shirts have button cuffs that don’t accept cufflinks. If you don’t wear double-cuff shirts, you don’t need cufflinks.
What kind of shirt do you wear cufflinks with?
Double-cuff (also called “French cuff”) shirts. These shirts have two parallel buttonholes on each cuff side, designed to be folded back and fastened with cufflinks. The cuffs are typically longer than button cuffs to allow the fold.
What size cufflinks should I wear?
Standard 14-18mm face size for most men. Smaller (10-12mm) for subtle / refined formal wear. Larger (20mm+) for statement / bold style. Match to the cuff style and your aesthetic.
How do I put on cufflinks?
- Fold the cuff back (the two cuff sides come together)
- Pass the cufflink through both buttonholes (face on the outside, closure on the inside)
- Activate the closure (bullet back lever pivots 90 degrees, whale back flips, etc.)
- The cuff is now closed with the cufflink visible on the outside
Are cufflinks out of style in 2026?
Less common in everyday office wear than they were a few decades ago, but still essential for weddings, formal events, and traditional business settings. The category isn’t out of style, it’s just specific-occasion wear in modern menswear.
How much should I spend on cufflinks?
For occasional wear (weddings / events): £30-100 PVD-plated 316L. For regular business formal: £150-400 sterling silver or gold vermeil. For heirloom: £400-2000+ solid gold.
Built after wearing the others.
Different by design.
PVD-plated 316L. 1-2 micron thickness declared. 12-month tarnish guarantee in writing. Permanent buy one get one free across the full catalogue.
Browse Monrich → UK shipping 2-4 days / 30-day returns / no customs
