Vintage cufflinks
Capture the charm of bygone eras with these intricately designed cufflinks, appealing to those with an appreciation for retro aesthetics.
Style, Jewelry & Accessories
Cufflinks
4 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.
Cufflinks tend to land with people who already wear shirts with French cuffs, or who have a wedding, gala or big work event coming up. A pair that actually gets worn fits the shirts the person owns and the way they dress, whether that's sharp or a bit playful. Before you pick a style, check whether their shirts have double cuffs or buttonholes on both sides. Vintage cufflinks suit someone who likes classic tailoring, and personalized cufflinks make sense when the gift is marking a moment. A single well-chosen pair usually beats a boxed set of several they won't rotate through.
Kind 1 of 4
Vintage and old-style cufflinks
Vintage cufflinks cover real older pieces and new pairs made in older styles: engraved metal faces, oval or square shapes, small stones and plain traditional fastenings. They suit someone who likes classic suits, old films or family heirlooms. Look at the back before buying. Bullet backs and swivel bars are easy to put on, while chain links and fixed backs take more practice. With genuinely old pairs, make sure both links match and the fastening still holds firmly. Gemstone accents fit here too, so pick a stone colour that goes with the ties and shirts they already wear.
Traditional metal cufflinks
These timeless accessories elevate formal attire, perfect for individuals who appreciate classic elegance in their wardrobe.
Gemstone cufflinks
Add a touch of refined sparkle to an outfit with these cufflinks featuring subtle gemstone embellishments, suitable for elegant dressers.
Kind 2 of 4
Engraved cufflinks with initials or dates
Personalized cufflinks carry initials, a date, coordinates or a short word on the face or back. They're a common gift for groomsmen, a father of the bride, or a milestone anniversary or retirement. Plain, minimalist faces take engraving well and still look tidy with any shirt. Before ordering, check how many characters fit, whether the engraving is on the front or back, and how long it takes to make. Double-check spelling and the order of initials, since engraved pieces usually can't be exchanged.
Personalized cufflinks
Create a memorable and unique gift with these customizable cufflinks, perfect for commemorating special dates or initials.
Sleek minimalist cufflinks
For the contemporary dresser, these clean-lined cufflinks offer a subtle yet sophisticated accent to any professional or casual look.
Kind 3 of 4
Silk knot cufflinks for everyday shirts
Knot cufflinks are small woven balls of fabric or cord joined by a short elastic link. They're light, come in lots of colours and look relaxed, so they suit someone who wears French cuffs to the office but finds metal cufflinks too formal. They also make a good first pair for someone just trying cufflinks out. Pick colours that go with their usual shirts, like navy, burgundy or grey. A small set of a few colours makes more sense here than it would with metal pairs.
Casual fabric knot cufflinks
Offer a relaxed yet stylish alternative to metal designs, perfect for those who prefer a more understated and comfortable accessory.
Kind 4 of 4
Unique cufflinks that show a hobby
Unique cufflinks turn a hobby or interest into something small: bikes, guitars, fishing lures, circuit boards, hockey sticks or natural materials like wood. They suit someone with a sense of humour, or someone who has to wear dress shirts and wants a quiet personal touch. Keep it to one real interest instead of a joke that gets old. Check the size, because big novelty designs can catch on jacket sleeves. Wooden pairs are light and warm-looking but belong with smart-casual outfits more than black tie.
Unique cufflinks
Express personal interests and hobbies with these distinctive cufflinks, ideal for adding a playful touch to any shirt.
Wooden cufflinks
Bring an earthy, organic touch to formal wear with these unique cufflinks, ideal for individuals who appreciate natural materials.
How to choose cufflinks as a gift
- Check the shirts first: cufflinks need French cuffs or convertible cuffs with a buttonhole on each side.
- Match the metal to the watch, ring or belt buckle they usually wear so everything looks like it belongs together.
- Choose bullet or swivel-bar backs for someone new to cufflinks, since they're the easiest to fasten one-handed.
- For a wedding party, order early and ask about engraving time so every pair arrives together.
- A small travel case or tray helps keep both links together, so it's a useful add-on.
Usually safe to skip
- Large novelty designs usually end up in a drawer because they catch on sleeves and look out of place at work.
- Boxed sets with many pairs often go unused, since most people rotate between one or two favourites.
- Cufflinks for someone who only owns button-cuff shirts miss the mark unless you include a shirt that takes them.
Questions people ask about cufflinks
- How do I know if he needs cufflinks?
- Look at his dress shirts. If the cuffs fold back and have a buttonhole on each side with no button, they need cufflinks. If every shirt has a sewn-on button at the cuff, cufflinks won't get worn unless the gift comes with a French-cuff shirt.
- What should I engrave on personalized cufflinks?
- Initials are the safest choice and go with any occasion. A wedding date, the coordinates of a meaningful place or a short word also work well. Keep it brief so it stays readable, and confirm spelling and initial order before ordering, since engraved pieces usually can't be swapped.
- Are silk knot cufflinks OK for a wedding?
- They're fine for a relaxed or daytime wedding, especially if the knot colours match the wedding party's ties. For black tie or a formal evening event, metal cufflinks with a simple or classic face usually look more fitting.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
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All cufflinks picks
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