Cufflinks are essentially buttons attached to the cuffs of a shirt, and so their origins trace back to the beginnings of the button, which was initially just an ornamental, non-useful decoration on clothing. The button eventually became a practical fastener during the 1200s, but it was not until the 1600s that the fashion of wearing two decorated buttons, linked together like a chain on the sleeves of a shirt, became popular. “Sleeve buttons”, as they were called in Europe at the time, were manufactured in silver in gold, and had etched designs and precious stones encrusted in them. The sleeve button became a symbol of class, especially in Great Britain.
Products with Cufflinks
During the 1700s, glass paste (made of crushed glass) emerged as a popular way to add sheen; one that that aimed to resemble the luster of precious gems. Glass paste was often used to add shine to sleeve buttons, and this became popular among the French nobility. Another method of adding shine was kiln-firing, which originated in France by the legendary Faberge but spread all over the world. In Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel The Count of Monte-Cristo, the cufflink was thoroughly described as a prestigious symbol of elegance and beauty, and thus, was promoted even further. The term “cufflink” was coined in England in 1788.
Cufflinks never declined in popularity. During the 1800s, manufacturers began producing cufflinks in the masses, especially so that consumers of any class of wealth could afford to buy them. During the 1900s, different types of cufflinks began to emerge, mostly differing in how their fasteners operate and look. Cufflinks are still extremely popular today and are a great way to customize and add a little zest to the common business suit.
