Cufflinks as we know them first appeared in the 18th century as small buttons of gold and silver linked by delicate chains. While one could argue that the basic design of a cufflink has not changed much in the 300 years since then, what appears to be the product's limitation has not stopped its evolution.
Today the number of cufflink styles, materials and designs available to the shopper - from the high-street to most high-end bespoke creations - is vast and varied. Some brands are working in colourful, lightweight resins, while others are creating solid gold, gem-set marvels that double as playthings for the daydreaming businessman.
One notable shift in tastes today, and one that is filtering down to cufflinks, has been the return to sharp tailoring and snappy dressing. Gents are now more particular when it comes to jewellery choices, considering the sartorial relevance of what they are wearing. The signet ring is back, both in an ironic sense and for lovers of genealogy, while wider men's jewellery design has become understated, with quality is a key driver of sales.
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