First Cufflinks?
In the 13th century, shirt cuffs were secured with ribbons, ties, and strings. As men's shirts and styles evolved, so did their cuffs, leading to the emergence of early forms of cufflinks in the 17th century. Tailors crafted the stitched buttonhole and used two decorative buttons, linked by a chain, to fasten cuffs. French tailors named these 'boutons de manchettes,' or 'sleeve buttons,' which became popular among the upper class. Jewelers began crafting these sleeve buttons in silver and gold, often embellishing them with semi-precious stones or intricate designs, marking the origin of the cufflink.
Cufflinks were formally introduced in the 17th century, and King Charles II, known for his fashion sense, made them popular by wearing them in public, shaping public opinion of these statement accessories.
The 18th century saw a rise in cufflink use, especially among royalty and nobility, boosting their popularity. They were used to mark royal events and significant occasions, a tradition that continues today. Men of that era would often receive cufflinks as gifts, creating personal collections of these items.
However, it wasn't until George Krementz, a German immigrant, and the industrial revolution, that the cufflink market was completely revolutionised. Inspired by the manufacturing process for bullets, in 1876, Krementz utilised this method to begin creating cufflinks in mass. Like most jewellery of the Victorian period, designs became more exuberant and ostentatious. Gold and silver cufflinks were at their peak and were covered with extravagant and intricate designs, often finished with glorious gemstones. The middle classes started to wear cufflinks and one design that shone in this time included writhing and intertwined snakes, which are now referred to as 'Victorian Serpents'.
In the early 1900s more cufflinks were being worn than ever, with stunning and colourful enamelled cufflinks being popular – this is still true today. After the First and Second World Wars and the shortages that ensued, men liked to embellish their outfits with a wide range of accessories and cufflinks. By the end of the 20th century men's shirt makers had begun mass producing shirts which included buttons already on the cuff, decreasing the use of cufflinks. As the fashions started to change and be influenced by the French, their double cuff (which we call the French cuff) made its way to England and sparked a resurgence in cufflinks. In 1924 the Boyer fastener system was invented and thus the modern cufflink as we know it was born. A new and modern cufflink that was created with the intent of making cufflinks easier to wear and secure onto cuffs, this remains one of the most popular methods of fastening cufflinks in the world today.
What is the symbolic meaning of cufflinks?
Since their inception, cufflinks have symbolized status for gentlemen, with luxurious gold and gemstone varieties representing wealth, power, and prestige.
Many traditions tied to cufflinks persist even today. They are often gifted, particularly to groomsmen at weddings or to commemorate graduation. Though styles and materials have evolved, cufflinks remain a key component of high society fashion, signifying distinction.
Today, designs range from timeless and collectible to playful and unique, allowing the wearer to personalize a suit or shirt. Custom cufflinks can be tailored for any occasion, interest, personality, or style.
If you're interested in creating a unique piece of history with a bespoke item, reach out to us to explore how we can assist.
