Thursday, 12 January 2012

The Things to Know About Men's Cufflinks

Some people think that cufflinks are an item of the past, but more cufflinks are sold now than ever before. Cufflinks are used to fasten the sleeves of a French cuff shirt, which has openings for the cufflinks, and no buttons. Cufflinks originated in the 16th century, when men wore elaborate shirts with long, wide sleeves and ruffled cuffs. Originally, sleeves were fastened with ribbon or cord. Cufflinks were introduced to provide an elegant alternative to strings and ribbons that easily got in the way of normal daily activities. The practice of wearing metal or glass cufflinks began during the reign of French King Louis XIV. Most dress shirts that have holes for cufflinks instead of buttoned cuffs are French cuffed shirts. The cuff of a French cuffed shirt folds back and is held together by the cufflink at the wrist. If one side of the shirt cuff is folded over the other, then closed with a cufflink, this is called a barrel closure. When the two sides of the cuff are pinched together and secured with the cufflink, this type of cuff closure is referred to as a "kissing" closure.

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 Types of Cufflink

The original cufflinks were simply two identical rounds, button-type parts that were connected by a simple post. Soon, a small chain was added. These cufflinks have decorated faces on both sides. Cufflinks connected by a stable, fairly wide post are referred to as "dumbbell" cufflinks. Swivel post cufflinks are the primary type that is made today. These cufflinks have one face, a post, and a swiveling backing that enables the cufflink to hold the cuff in place. Classic cufflinks in certain styles and classic metal finishes have been available for many years. Novelty cufflinks take advantage of enamel and metal casting techniques to transform tiny pieces of metal into charming, high personality and sometimes even humorous items. A special line of wedding cufflinks enhances the shirts of the groom, groomsmen, the best man, and fathers of the groom and bride. Contemporary designer cufflinks offer a sense of style and unique looks, colors, finishes and metals.

Facts about Cufflinks

The highest price ever paid for a pair of cufflinks to date was $440,000. An auction bidder paid that amount for a pair of cufflinks given by American divorcee Wallis Simpson to King Edward VIII, who abdicated his throne in order to marry Simpson. The biggest museum for cufflinks in the world is located in New Hampshire, US. The museum has a display of over 70,000 cufflinks. In the 19th century, the most common type of cufflink was pearl or enamel cufflinks joined by a chain. These cufflinksare seldom seen today.

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