An elegant part of any formal menswear or business wear, the cufflink makes an art out of sticking two sleeve cuffs together. They can be made of virtually anything and have been worn by kings, counts, and Mick Jagger. In a culture where men’s jewelry is often less festive and more practical (consider, the watch), the cufflink stands alone for its unique fun-ness. So, where did it come from?
Hear Ye, Hear Ye
Men have always had trouble with undershirts. In the Middle Ages, visible parts of the undershirt were decorated with frills, lace, and ribbon when they inconveniently popped out of a more formal tunic. These undershirts also had a tendency to be too large around the cuffs so that men could slip their hands through them; making them a poofy bit of “in the way” at every turn. The answer? Clip them together with cufflinks! Appearing as early as the 1600s, they didn’t become a fashion staple until the 18th century.
A Button Alone Can’t Cut the Mustard
String or buttons used to “do the job” back in the day, but in the 18th century, undershirts were becoming more stiff and starched to coexist with the current style. 
Cuff links were the more powerful solution, especially taking off during the Victorian era when starched shirts were at their most rock-solid. Because they were easily produced due to the industrial revolution, they became ubiquitous. Victorian women also took a liking to the cufflink when puffy sleeves and tiny wrists were all the rage.
Popularity Rises and Falls
Things were looking good for the cufflink throughout the 20’s and all the way up to the 70s, when they experienced a sudden, rapid decline. The Woodstock generation just wasn’t having the formality of a starched cuff; puffy sleeves and built-in buttonholes only, thank you. However, the absence was short lived. Businesswear in the 80s brought back the fashion along with a host of other “dressy” trends. Some say this was due in part to the popularity of “Brideshead Revisited” TV mini series in 1981, which is set in the cufflink-crazed 40s and reintroduced ideals of handsome formal wear.
Today?
Cufflinks are an excellent way to show attention to detail in a business environment, as well as some personality. Our shirts may not be wild tangles of puffy excess anymore, but they still can be fashionable with a well-chosen cufflink.
Question: Have your cuffs ever been unruly?
