Cuff link
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A cufflink (also cuff link or cuff-link) is a decorative fastener worn by men that is used to fasten or link the two portions of a French cuff, typically on a dress shirt or blouse. These fasteners may be of very simple design, consisting of a post — a short cylindrical portion — or a chain connecting two disc-shaped parts, one of which is sized to fit through the button-hole of the cuff, the other, which is positioned on the most visible side of, is wider. The visible part of the cufflink is often monogrammed or decorated in some way. French cuffs may be worn "kissing," with the ends pinched together, or "barrel-style" with one end overlapping the other.
Cufflink designs vary widely, as do many fashion accessories. An almost unlimited variety of designs and construction details may appear on a cufflink. For example, the 'hidden' side of a cufflink may have a portion which swivels on the central post, aligning with the post while the link is threaded through the button-hole, and swiveling into a position at right angles to the post when worn.
There are numerous styles including novelty cufflinks, traditional cufflinks, contemporary cufflinks and humorous cufflinks.
Some of the top designers of popular cufflinks include Ian Flaherty, Sonia Spencer, Murray Ward, Babette Wasserman, Duchamp, Simon Carter, Fiona Rae and Tateossian. Leading retailers of cufflinks John Lewis Partnership, KJ Beckett, House of Fraser, Selfridges and Liberty of London who all offer collections from some of the aforementioned cufflink designers.
[edit] Silk knot
An alternative fastener to a cufflink is the cheaper silk knot, which is also known as monkey's fists. This object is far better-known in Europe than North America and, despite the lower cost than cufflinks, is just as well regarded and just as formal. French cuff shirts are often accompanied with a set of color-coordinated silk knots instead of double-button cufflinks. They are rarely if ever now made from silk, more often than not they are made from elastic. They are also commonly known as Turks Head cufflinks.
