Cufflinks!

bbshriver · 08-08-2008, 03:26 PM

Anybody else here prefer to have cufflinks with their dress shirts rather than boring ol plastic buttons?

I got my first doublecuff shirt and cufflinks when I was 13. Along with a nice watch and a good pen, I view cufflinks to be "manly" jewlry.

I buy new cufflinks from time to time, but most of mine I got from my grandfather and great-uncle who just gave me all of theirs when they found out I wanted some.

Trouble i'm having right now is I need a few more doublecuff shirts... and good ones are too expensive!
Anyone out there have a lead on good quality affordable (<$100) shirts?

Milton Man · 08-08-2008, 03:32 PM

I only buy French cuff shirts, actually - I think they generally hold up better, are easier to clean around the cuff, and add an element of class and style to an otherwise rather generic men's fashion regime.

I try to get cuff links that are out of the ordinary - my wife, for an engagement present, got me a pair of cuff links made out of vintage typewriter keys (you know, the black with ivory coloured letters, and a silver banding?) with my initials - those are still my favourite.

As for affordable shirts - well, if I'm getting a every day shirt, I do like to splurge and get the best I can afford - which will probably in or around the $100 - I find they last longer, iron more easily, and wash better as well. That said, I do like the Trump shirts, and they're in the $60 dollar range (here in Canada, anyhow) - they're good quality (though not as heavy weight cotton as their more expensive brothers), nice cut and style, and affordable.

Great thread! Post pics if you have a chance!

Mark

Kees · 08-08-2008, 03:33 PM

Check this one out: JoS. A. Bank Clothiers - Traveler Pinpoint Solid Spread Collar, French Cuff Dress Shirt

or this: http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProductP...duct_Id=398826

I like cuff links a lot but most are so tacky or b***dy expensive. My favorites are fake gold plated links with nice MOP button. Do you know where to get really nice ones?

bbshriver · 08-08-2008, 03:49 PM

I'll try to post some pictures of some of my more unique ones at some point.. My classiest/coolest ones are I believe from some sort of Swedish military uniform.. they are the traditional Swedish Royal logo royal blue background with 3 gold crowns. Hemispherically shaped, and if you look carefully there is what appears to be a coiled rope underneath the blue enamel.. hard to describe but VERY cool, and I have never seen another pair, searched Google, ebay everything.

I'm also into car related ones, my brother got me these for Christmas this year

Ockham · 08-08-2008, 04:00 PM

I also usually wear French cuff shirts, I love them (I wear the ones with plastic buttons only when it is important that I am not overdress - when I am with my boss and he is not wearing double cuffs for instance).

I usually buy my shirts when they are on sale, so I normally spend 60 to 100 bucks for one (I wear mainly white ones - more classic, sometimes blue; they are quite easy to find); we have a few very good shops for men clothes in Geneva. When buying online, I usually shop there: shirts, braces, cufflinks, ties, classic clothing at Bromleys

And, btw, I really love braces... I have two from Albert Thurston and they are just... just... incredible...

bbshriver · 08-08-2008, 07:08 PM

Anyone familiar with Charles Tyrwhitt?

These seem like reasonably good prices on clearance
Dalton Red & Blue Tattersall Check Spread Collar Classic Dress Shirt - CTShirts

Harry Blue Stripe Poplin Cutaway Dress Shirt - CTShirts

Opalona looks good too
Shirts

Adventurer627 · 08-12-2008, 02:17 AM

I also wear cufflinks. They vary according to the occasion that I'm wearing the shirt for. For formal occasions 14k or Sterling Silver for more casual silk knots. Cuff links that fit all shirts are the hinged T-Back type. Some double ended cufflinks like Silk Knots do not always fit the cufflink eye cut out in the shirt cuff. Some places to look are the high end department stores Barney's, Neiman Marcus etc. Some bargains may be found on Ebay, buyer beware.

As for shirt shopping occasional deals for white shirts and casual shirts may be found at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls if you have any near you. Not a great selection or choice of sizes but costs at or below outlett store prices.

Max

Akady · 08-12-2008, 02:43 AM

I am actually looking to buy some french cuff shirts here in the next week or so. I have found the Vanheusen outlet store has them for around 30 dollars (a bit expensive for me but worth it) I have made a few pairs of cufflinks and am planning to make quite a few this year.

Philadelph · 08-12-2008, 05:36 AM

I prefer them as well! Right now I only have some links that my fiancé got me but no french cuff shirts! They are pretty expensive, but I've seen them cheaper at outlet type stores. I'm planning to eventually switch all of my collared shirts over to french cuffs.

bbshriver · 08-12-2008, 01:03 PM

Vanheusen and geoffery Beene are decent in the $30 range.
I might order a Lands End here soon.. they look decent, I've got a few but unfortunately I've outgrown them..

ByronTodd · 08-12-2008, 11:42 PM

My wife got me these - MONTBLANC - Jewellery - MenÂ´s Jewellery - Cuff Links - Cuff Links - for our anniversary last year. They match my Mont Blanc Starwalker rollerball pen and my MB watch.

bbshriver · 08-13-2008, 01:58 PM

Those look pretty nice.. which reminds me, I need a new fountain pen at some point. Time for yet another new topic on that!

sicboater · 08-13-2008, 03:41 PM

Cufflinks are great! Pictured here are some of my favorite shirt accessories:
-my floating silver circle cufflinks
-my vintage clutch snap cufflinks
-a monogrammed set with chains that my Grandfather owned
-my metal and pearlized collar stay set
-one of my custom tailor made shirts (not an accessory but a favorite none the less!

)

Great thread!

-Rob

bbshriver · 08-13-2008, 03:59 PM

Nice! What's up with the fancy collar stays? I have seen some of these on the web recently. All I ever get are the "restora" ones they sell at the dry cleaner. The thin plastic ones irritate me cause they warp and flex.
What are the various advantages to brass/sterling silver/pearlized?

sicboater · 08-13-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Nice! What's up with the fancy collar stays? I have seen some of these on the web recently. All I ever get are the "restora" ones they sell at the dry cleaner. The thin plastic ones irritate me cause they warp and flex.
What are the various advantages to brass/sterling silver/pearlized?

My collar stays are stainless steel and the pearlized ones are thick plastic. I like the stainless ones when I am wearing a tie as they are very stiff and make the collar look like it is molded in some rigid material! When I am not wearing a tie, I go for the less stiff plastic as they look more informal. You can also mold the stainless set if you want but I prefer to keep them straight. Any other metal for stays would just be for a measure of luxury. There are some shirts that are made to show off fancy stays but they are expensive themselves. Another plus of having the set is that you never worry about keeping up with whatever stays came with the shirt. I like putting them in too. It makes me feel like I am really dressed up much like the cufflinks do.

-Rob

bbshriver · 08-13-2008, 05:32 PM

where did you get this set?
My only problem I see with this is I have enough trouble losing the plastic one.. It would get expensive to start losing good ones!
My dad always has issues with this too, as my mom has his clothes dry cleaned and the cleaners always throw away the plastic colar stays that come with the shirts.. make sense since they sell the cheap ones right back to you!

sicboater · 08-13-2008, 08:17 PM

You definitely have to be conscientious about taking them out of the shirt before it goes to the cleaner. I haven't had a problem remembering to do this but I am sure it will happen. I got them HERE.

Doc4 · 08-21-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Anyone familiar with Charles Tyrwhitt?

These seem like reasonably good prices on clearance
Dalton Red & Blue Tattersall Check Spread Collar Classic Dress Shirt - CTShirts

Harry Blue Stripe Poplin Cutaway Dress Shirt - CTShirts

I have quite a few CT shirts, and generally they're pretty good. They do tend to be permanently on sale of one sort or another, and right now I think you can get 4 of their 'standard' shirts for 100 quid ... so about $50 per shirt.

Spike J · 08-21-2008, 10:35 PM

Probably sounds a bit strange, I'm a hippy who loves double cuff shirts & cufflinks. Got fourteen pairs & a few odd ones. It is hugely annoying when you lose just one is it not? I have three pairs of gem mounts & a couple of fun ones. My favourites have to be the K9s Silver got me Christmas before last.

Forgive my ignorance, what is the difference between a French & a double cuff?

rastewart · 08-21-2008, 10:48 PM

B Shriver, I like those shift-pattern links! I like cufflinks too, and used to wear them with French-cuffed shirts sometimes when I was assistant head of a largish department. But time & tide, you know, and now that I'm in a different work environment and just a peon again, I'd be egregiously overdressed.

As I recall, Land's End always seemed to be pretty good quality at a fairly reasonable price. And price is always a consideration--librarians are expected to dress like professionals on a barista's salary, basically. To be quite honest, most of my clothes, including dress shirts, are from a couple of big thrift stores in our area. That may be more of an option in the city than it would be in a smaller town, and it does require some diligence and that you give up any expectations of an elegant atmosphere, but I've got some amazing bargains from there.

Rich