How to Wear French Cuffs

Last Updated: February 17, 2022

French cuff (also called "double cuff") shirts are dressy and elegant additions to a man’s wardrobe, and require a set of cuff links to close them. French cuffs are typically worn during formal events such as weddings and black-tie galas.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 15 February 2022.} They give you a chance to add a smart accessory and smarten up a shirt.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Putting on French Cuffs

1
Pull on your French cuff shirt. To wear and fasten a French cuff shirt, start by pulling on the shirt and allowing the cuff flaps on each arm to spread over your hands. Don’t try to fasten the cuffs before you put the shirt on. If you do this, you will struggle to get your hands through the cuffs.
2
Fold the cuff flaps back. Now fold back the cuffs on each side, making sure each cuff's buttonholes align. You should be able to do this easily by using the crease in the cuff.

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3
Fasten the cuffs. Use a pair of cufflinks or knot closures (knotted bundles of silk or rayon cording) to close the cuffs and keep them in place. Pass the cuff links through the holes on each side of the cuff and twist them so they cannot pass back through the buttonholes.
- Knot closures and cufflinks come in a variety of colours and styles, allowing you to coordinate colours with your tie and shirt or display a special but understated accessory.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Knowing When to Wear French Cuffs

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Wear French cuffs with black or white tie. French cuffs are at their best when worn for a formal occasion and teamed with a sharp suit.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 15 February 2022.} If you are attending an event that is black or white tie, you will certainly want to wear French cuffs, and secure them cuff links. Black and white tie events are generally the ones which require you to be the most formally dressed, and French cuffs are an important part of this.
- Judge your choice of cuff links by the occasion. A formal event will require a more subdued and subtle cuff link, rather than a bright or colourful one.^{[3]
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- A plain gold, silver, or platinum cuff link is a good choice for formal wear.
2
Wear French cuffs with a suit. A step down from a tuxedo is a normal suit, and again French cuffs can be worn to add an extra touch to your formal dress.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 15 February 2022.} You will have the judge each situation independently, but you might consider French cuffs as an extra to be worn on special occasions both in your social life and your work life.
- One good rule of thumb could be, don’t wear French cuffs if you are not wearing a tie.^{[5]
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- Remember that style rules can be broken, and it’s important that you feel comfortable with how you are dressed.^{[6]
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3
Use cuff links as striking accessories. If you are wearing French cuffs then you have a great opportunity to wear some nice cuffs links that draw attention to your smart shirt. Cuff links can be great accessories for men. They are practical and smart, without being too gaudy or over the top. A nice gold, silver or platinum cuff link can add a lot to your look.
- Depending on your taste you can opt for functional, or more flashy and attention grabbing cuff links.
- Keep in mind the colour of your shirt and avoid clashes. Neutral coloured cuff links give you more flexibility.
- You can coordinate cuff links and knot closures with your tie and shirt. Matching each item with complimentary colours may make a more successful outfit.
- Keep an eye out for older cuff links in second-hand and thrift stores.

Expert Q&A

Question

Are you required to wear French cuffs?

Cassandra Sethi
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
Cassandra Sethi is a Personal Stylist, Image Consultant, and the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a luxury personal styling service for busy professionals. With over 20 years of fashion industry experience, Cassandra helps people transform their confidence by creating a work wardrobe they love to wear. Cassandra holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from California State University, Long Beach, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the London College of Fashion. She created Soulcycle's retail business and was the Senior Buyer for 90+ Equinox gyms. Cassandra has been featured on New York’s PIX11 in an interview about how to achieve great work-from-home style as well as in Men's Health, Business of Fashion, and NYMag.

Cassandra Sethi

Personal Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Not at all! While French cuffs can be chosen for most formal occasions, they're never required unless stated by a dress code. If a dress code is "black tie" or "white tie," you can consider wearing them.
Question

What kind of cufflinks should I choose?

Tannya Bernadette
Professional Stylist
Tannya Bernadette is the Founder of The Closet Edit, a Seattle-based personal styling service. She has been in the fashion industry for over 10 years and has been recognized as Ann Taylor’s LOFT brand ambassador and Seattle Southside’s official Rockstar Stylist. Tannya received her BA in Fashion Marketing and Business from The Art Institutes.

Tannya Bernadette

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Choose something that lets you show off your personality. You can find cufflinks that look like dog faces, or that have something to do with technology, or almost anything you can think of, so they're a great way of expressing yourself.