The best men’s cufflinks for besuited gentlemen

The literally named cufflink is a small but integral ingredient of the black-tie dress code. They help secure the cuffs of “French” dress shirts together (which have buttonholes but no buttons) and serve as a minute extension of your fashion statement. Shirt cuffs can be worn either “kissing” with the ends pinched together or “barrel-style” with one end overlapping the other.

Our GQ guide to the best men's cufflinks on the market will ensure you make a solid decision on your next pair. 

1. Don't wear a novelty pair of cufflinks

Sure, cufflinks are a subtle form of expression, but just because you love wind turbines doesn’t mean you have to put one on your wrist. Leave that revelation for an actual conversation: there’s a “no” in “novelty cufflinks" for a reason...

2. Don’t mix, do match

Though not an imperative, definitely try to match your cufflink with the material of your watch and ring if possible, giving your outfit a sense of cohesion. And it almost doesn’t need to be said, but just in case: always wear two cufflinks, never one. If you lose one, frame the other, put it on the mantlepiece or smelt it down to its raw materials – it’s better this way.

3. Knots, studs and the everyday cufflinks

Due to the higher level of finger dexterity required, traditional cufflinks can be seen as too impractical for daily use. But some jobs might put you in the business of wearing these stylish wrist nuggets on a more quotidian basis. Again, no wind turbines, but maybe some colour might zest up your desk view. Alternatively, if you’re a real pragmatist, the knot is a good option. Perhaps regarded as the Vauxhall Astra of cufflinks (getting you from A to B), a pair of £5 knots from TM Lewin will tie up your shirt almost invisibly. Another good everyday option is the stud: a straight and solid style of cufflink with no chance of any fiddly, swivelling parts.

4. Black and white tie

You can experiment with colour for black tie, but traditionally silver, gold, dark mother-of-pearl and onyx work well. For white tie, only pearl, silver or other light-coloured materials are permitted. Also, try to choose a good quality cufflink, to show you’re a competent, well-dressed man down to every detail.