Cuff

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For other uses of the term cuff, see the disambiguation page.

A cuff is an extra layer of fabric at the lower edge of the sleeve of a garment covering the arms. In U.S. usage the word may also refer to the end of the leg of a pair of pants. The functional purpose of turned cuffs is to protect the material from fraying and, when frayed, to allow the cuffs to be repaired or replaced without major changes to the garment.

Cuffs may be made by turning back the material, or a separate band of material may be sewn on or worn separately attached by buttons or studs. A cuff may show an ornamental border, or have an addition of lace or other trimming.

Shirt cuffs, except on casual attire, are generally divided down one edge and then fastened together, so they can let a hand through and then fit more snugly around the wrist. Some sweaters and athletic garments (both tops and pants) have cuffs that either contain elastic or are woven so as to stretch around a hand or foot and still fit snugly, accomplishing the same purpose.

Divided shirt cuffs are of two kinds , depending on how they fasten:

• Button cuffs, which have buttonholes on the one side and buttons on the other (sometimes more than one, so that the fit can be adjusted).
• Link cuffs, which have buttonholes on both sides and are meant to be closed with cufflinks or silk knots. They can be fastened either "kissing" style, where the insides of both sides are pressed together, or as "barrel cuffs", where one side lies over the other (the way button cuffs are always closed). Link cuffs come in two kinds:
  • Single cuffs
  • Double cuffs or French cuffs, which are twice as long and worn folded back on themselves.

Devices for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure use an inflatable band placed on the upper arm or wrist which is also called a cuff.