Cufflinks

[Milu]

Am I alone in prefering tradtional cufflinks joined with a litle chain to the more modern type with a bar?

 

[Dinerman]

Not at all.
I like they chain type far more than the bar type, but my favorite set is joined by a post, wherein one of the ends screws on.

 

[Marty M.]

Change Links?

Am I alone in prefering tradtional cufflinks joined with a litle chain to the more modern type with a bar?

I'd be curious to know why you like them. I've never have worn them. I have a couple set's in my store. But they don't sell well. I suppose that's because I don't quite understand them.
Marty

 

[Anthony Jordan]

No, I have a strong preference for that style as well, although I have a few of the post style that I am also fond of. I am inclined to agree with Alan Flusser that the torpedo/swivel bar type of link lacks the "finish" and presence of (for example) the double-oval chain link (my favourite type.)

 

[Dinerman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWN:IT&viewitem=&item=150110418415&rd=1&rd=1
since I can't get the picture to work, take a look.
A couple non- t-bar ones, a couple snap pairs, and only a couple pairs of big ugly ones with the chains that go over your cuff, which seems to be all I can find in antique stores.

 

[upr_crust]

Double-faced vs. Bascule/"Torpedo"

For looks, double-faced cufflinks are more attractive, but can be a bigger pain in the neck to put on or take off. (This is particularly true for modern double-faced cufflinks made in the UK, and American-made double-cuffed shirts - American button holes are smaller than equivalent UK holes.)

"Switch-back"/Bascule types of cufflinks are easier to put on or take off, but the switch in the back is normally not anything to look at.

I do have a pair of cufflinks which are double-faced, but have a solid bar in between, and a hinge on one end, such that they look the same on both sides, but can be removed by flipping up the hinged end.

 

[Brian Sheridan]

I agree that the chain ones are a bugger to put on and take off. I do have a nice vintage pair with an art deco look to them. I don't try to put them in if I am in a hurry.

BRS

 

[KCE]

I like the type with the bar because there is a larger variety (old coins, flags, organizations, etc) than you find with the chain type, which seem to be restricted mainly to oval shaped metal or stone.

 

[Jovan]

I agree that the chain ones are a bugger to put on and take off. I do have a nice vintage pair with an art deco look to them. I don't try to put them in if I am in a hurry.

BRS

Probably not best to wear double cuffs in a hurry!

I'm in the process of finalizing a prototype of those glass bead cufflinks I was talking about making in another thread. They will use a chain, and I can probably make them double-ended if anyone wants. Stay tuned.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I only own one pair of cuff links - victorian pewter with inset mother of pearl. They are double-faced (thanks for the term, upprcrust) and linked by a chain.

I can't imagine returning to the bar-type.

bk

 

[cookie]

Am I alone in prefering tradtional cufflinks joined with a litle chain to the more modern type with a bar?

Yes... at the best of times they are a hassle to insert especially if, like me, you have a thicker wrist.

 

[upr_crust]

To illustrate my previous post . . ..

. . . a re-posting of a photograph of my double-faced hinged cufflinks. (My apologize for repeating myself . . .)

 

[Tomasso]

American-made double-cuffed shirts - American button holes are smaller than equivalent UK holes.

I've never noticed this on my T&A shirts. What is the rationale behind the larger UK buttonholes?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I've never noticed this on my T&A shirts. What is the rationale behind the larger UK buttonholes?

Simple. Until the '90s, Americans preferred swivel-backed cufflinks, and those don't require large buttonholes. Brits, however, went more for double-sided links, and those definitely do require larger buttonholes.


I've noticed that since the '90s, the more expensive American shirts now have larger buttonholes for cufflinks. Why? Because Americans started getting into double-sided links.


.

 

[Cacklewack]

I wear links with bars only because I was given a pile of them by my grandfather when he passed away. Partly sentimental and partly style. There are only a few pairs I have deemed worthy of wearing, however, for most of them are so gaudy that I wouldn't dare exit the house with them.

Matt

 

[Dinerman]

well, apparently, the seller of my cufflinks lost some of them, so I get a full refund. I think I'd have rather had all the cufflinks.

 

[Gin&Tonics]

OP is referring to something like....

These?
Apologies for the terribad photos. The rectangular ones bear my grandfather's monogram, which is a nice little touch. Can anyone date these by any chance?

 

[MisterCairo]

I can't say I prefer them, but certainly use and enjoy them. As for dressing in a rush, why would that ever happen? Certain things must never be rushed. Dressing is one.....

 

[Captain Lex]

I have never had double-faced cufflinks, but I agree that I wouldn't sacrifice the variety and versatility of the Bascule kind. Not that I have many cufflinks currently!

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Bump and a better photo!