Are cuff links only acceptable with suits? Also, what's your thoughts on cuff links?

[eclipse75]

Are cuff links only acceptable with suits? Also, what's your thoughts on cuff links?

[TheGreatTwizz]

Yes.

Keep them simple or pertinent to your personality/event. I personally don't wear them regularly outside of black tie, but have a beautiful pair of Russian calf ones (thanks Chris!!) that are waiting for some shirts to go on.

[Fashion Photographer]

Depends I would say. But most of the time, yes.

Cufflinks are the little something that make a man stand out and say a lot about his personality I think.

While it is most appropriate worn with a suit I have at times worn cufflinks with no suit or tie but chinos and loafers and no socks at work. The problem when worn in a casual setting is that cufflinks can get in the way if you are sitting at a table or have your hands on a table in any way.

[andy b.]

The problem when worn in a casual setting is that cufflinks can get in the way if you are sitting at a table or have your hands on a table in any way.

I have also found this to be the case. I own two pairs of cufflinks, and I haven't seen one of those pairs in years. The other pair is made from the case heads of nickel .44 Remington Magnum pistol cartridges. I wear them a few times a year just for the heck of it. I don't own any suits, and I'm guessing wearing bullet cufflinks wouldn't be something most folks would wear for a formal occasion anyway. I'm not known for my formality, but am well acquainted with the .44 Magnum.

andy b.

[psycho1964]

I think I am in the minority on this...

I wear cuff links several times a week in my business casual work environment (sports coat, sans tie)

I like the way it looks!

[Sarge6]

I think I am in the minority on this...

I wear cuff links several times a week in my business casual work environment (sports coat, sans tie)

I like the way it looks!

Then I'm a minority of one, because I've got some Polo daily casual shirts (i.e., go with jeans) with French cuffs, and I'll use a cheap pair of Kenneth Cole links without thinking about it.

[Matt S]

I will wear double cuffs with sports coats, without ties. I don't think suits and ties are necessary.

[spielerman]

Thanks for asking this question, and everyone with their responses. I too was just thinking about this as I just picked up another cuff link shirt thrifting, and haven't worn one the one I have for a long while (church ends up being white shirts all the time with the opportunity to wear a suit- I know boring). So looking to open up the options at work...

[Orsini]

FC only with suit. Not for junior personnel. Almost never for interview. Silk knots always appropriate.

[DorianGrey]

I always wear more casual silk knots when not wearing a suit.

[Brize]

FC only with suit. Not for junior personnel. Almost never for interview. Silk knots always appropriate.

Agreed for the most part, although the advice that French cuffs should not be worn by junior personnel is more pertinent to the States.

[Jake Genezen]

If I wear a French cuff shirt with suit sans tie, than I wear them with silk knots.

It never occured to me that an individual in a junior position shoudn't wear cuff links; perhaps, as Brize notes, that is more of USA sentiment.

[williamson]

I see no reason why cufflinks should not be worn with sports jackets and blazers as well as suits, so long as a tie is worn.
I've said it before, and I say it again - to me the tieless but jacketed look is horrid; it not only angers me but actually horrifies and distresses me that so many on this forum affect it.

[Brize]

It never occured to me that an individual in a junior position shoudn't wear cuff links; perhaps, as Brize notes, that is more of USA sentiment.

Yep, I think it can be seen as an affectation in the US, whereas it's fairly standard for even poorly dressed men in the UK to wear shirts with double cuffs.

[Brize]

I've said it before, and I say it again - to me the tieless but jacketed look is horrid; it not only angers me but actually horrifies and distresses me that so many on this forum affect it.

I've no truck with a sports jacket or blazer worn without a tie, but a suit worn without a tie is a terrible look. I imagine that proponents of this look think that they look approachable and relaxed, but they just looked half-dressed to me, like schoolboys who can't wait to rip off their ties.

[Cruiser]

the advice that French cuffs should not be worn by junior personnel is more pertinent to the States.

Although French cuffs aren't as popular in the U.S. as they are in other places, I don't think that most Americans are aware of this thing about not being appropriate for junior personnel. This appears to be nothing more than a position being taken by a small group of clothing hobbyists.

In the past I've seen French cuffs on bank tellers, car salesmen, real estate agents, a clerk at Macy's, and so on and so on; however, clearly since few and fewer men are wearing coats and ties these days it stands to reason that you would see more senior executives wearing French cuffs simply because you see more of them wearing coats and ties.

Of course geography could be a factor. For example, in my neck of the woods I suspect that a spread collar that is much more than a medium spread would raise more eyebrows than a French cuff shirt, not that either one is seen in abundance.

Cruiser

[Brize]

Good insight - thanks Cruiser.

[Cruiser]

to me the tieless but jacketed look is horrid; it not only angers me but actually horrifies and distresses me that so many on this forum affect it.

As I recently said in another thread, if hyperbole could be converted to gasoline, Andy could get rich and the world could rid itself of dependency on Middle Eastern oil.

Of course what I just said is also an example of hyperbole so I'm doing my part.

Cruiser

[Jake Genezen]

Yep, I think it can be seen as an affectation in the US, whereas it's fairly standard for even poorly dressed men in the UK to wear shirts with double cuffs.

That, then, perhaps explains my bad habit of wearing, if not cufflinks, then silk knots with suit sans tie. My excuse for this is that I have a couple of nice coloured/patterned shirts (which were gifts) which so happens to be French cuffs. As I (currently) wear a suit without a tie (it grieves me, but a tie would just be too formal in my environment) the shirts mentioned add a bit of interest/colour to my plainer suits. On the whole, though, I make sure the majority of my shirts are buttoned cuffs.

[Brize]

As I (currently) wear a suit without a tie (it grieves me, but a tie would just be too formal in my environment).

Just out of interest, I'm curious as to what sort of environment would require a suit but not be formal enough for a tie.

[TheGreatTwizz]

Just out of interest, I'm curious as to what sort of environment would require a suit but not be formal enough for a tie.

That, then, perhaps explains my bad habit of wearing, if not cufflinks, then silk knots with suit sans tie. My excuse for this is that I have a couple of nice coloured/patterned shirts (which were gifts) which so happens to be French cuffs. As I (currently) wear a suit without a tie (it grieves me, but a tie would just be too formal in my environment) the shirts mentioned add a bit of interest/colour to my plainer suits. On the whole, though, I make sure the majority of my shirts are buttoned cuffs.

I'll occasionally take a 'casual friday' and wear a suit with a loud or busy shirt, sans tie.

[Cruiser]

I'm curious as to what sort of environment would require a suit but not be formal enough for a tie.

Just about any social or other casual situation where you want to look nice but not necessarily appear as stuffy as a neck tie would make you appear. Not every suit lends itself to casual wear.

Surprisingly it is usually the more casual business suit that is less likely to cross over to casual wear successfully, while the more formal business suits such as navy and charcoal in solid or narrow pinstripes can be perfect; provided of course that they are trim fitting and the right shirt and shoes are worn.

For example, a glen plaid suit with pleated pants probably needs a neck tie, whereas a trim fitting navy solid suit worn with a crisp white shirt or a gray pinstripe with striped shirt and shoes that aren't business like captoes will do fine as dressy casual wear at a nice party or evening out; or perhaps if you are a private consultant to law enforcement.



Cruiser

[Jake Genezen]

Just out of interest, I'm curious as to what sort of environment would require a suit but not be formal enough for a tie.

Academia - though even my suits are perhaps too formal. I perhaps should wear more sport coats, but I'm investing in suits because my next working environment will call for me to dress in suit and tie.

EDIT: Just saw your post, Cruiser, and agree very much with your observations.

[Brize]

Cruiser: Doesn't a suit without a tie in a casual setting make it look like you've just knocked off work? I don't know who the chap in the picture is, but that looks scruffy to me. If there's one thing worse than wearing a suit without a tie, it's adding a waistcoat to the ensemble!

Jake: That makes sense given your situation.

[Jake Genezen]

Doesn't a suit without a tie in a casual setting make it look like you've just knocked off work? .

Apologies for responding to a question not intended for me, but I do also agree with your observation. For me, the shirt collar can help combat 'I've just wipped off my tie' look: I starch the front of the shirt and the collar, and wear a shirt with a slighter higher collar band, so the collar is erect all day.