Whenever I shake hands with a man and a twinkle from his sleeve catches my eye, I'm impressed – he's wearing cufflinks. There is something distinctive about a man that does. Whether it is a miniature airplane, little golf balls or gold squares, it is a fashion statement of its own.
As my stylish male friend shared with me: "Cufflinks are the only type of jewellery that one can play with and express yourself." Albeit he was referring to a professional working environment where flashy jewellery worn by a man may be taboo, cufflinks are about expressing one's individuality and personal style.
Cufflinks are the perfect accessory to make a casual shirt look more elegant or to add a splash of colour. With a variety of styles available, it is easy to pick and choose a set to match the mood at the moment or special occasion. It ranges from simple studs to ostentatious platinum and diamond settings, from figurines to vintage cuffs from the Victorian era. The creativity in designing cufflinks is limitless.
Nathan Tim, a purveyor of handmade cufflinks made of murano glass and stainless steel, has a selection of designs that are original and modern. Each cufflink is crafted by hand giving each piece its uniqueness. Not only is it well-designed, but it is also representative of the perfect merger of traditional Venetian glassmaking and contemporary styles. The breadth of colours vary from classic black and white in the Seduction Collection to vibrant red, oranges and greens in the Spice Collection. There are delicate floral appliqués in Bouquet and playful panache found in their Harlequin pieces.
For sterling silver lovers, cufflinks from the John Hardy Kali Collection, which draws its inspiration from the stones lined along the river beds in Bali, are the answer. The stone-shaped outlines are whimsical, alluring and carry the signature style of John Hardy.
Another John Hardy signature is the Dot motif. The Nuansa Collection offers round and square cufflinks using this motif, with dots of sterling silver and 18 karat gold. This rich and elegant new evolution of the Dot motif is inspired by the ancient temple architecture of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
A more traditional touch would be enamel cufflinks. From their first introduction in the middle of the 18th century to today, enamel cufflinks have been popular among distinguished gentlemen. Enamel maintains a smooth surface and is able to hold brilliant colours. Tiffany & Co has a selection of enamel cufflinks that are elegant, sophisticated and timeless. Whether patterned in stripes, plaids, criss-cross or basket weaves, the enamel cufflinks continue to be a classic and refined look.
Considering the copious styles, it is hard to pick a favourite. But without a doubt, cufflinks have proven to withstand the test of time as a fashion work of art. And ultimately, are debonair to wear.
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