Cufflinks are having a moment.
Not the loud, novelty-heavy kind you may remember. The 2026 comeback is more considered. More refined. Clean metal. Strong shapes. Subtle color. A detail that rewards a closer look.
The reason? The French-cuff revival.
Designers and style editors are bringing double-cuff shirts back into the conversation, giving men a fresh reason to wear accessories that once felt reserved for weddings, boardrooms, and black-tie invitations. Prada’s recent menswear presentation helped push the trend forward, while fashion coverage has positioned cufflinks as one of the season’s most discreet retro details.
In other words: cufflinks are back. And they look better than ever.
At The Haberdashery, we curate accessories for men who want their wardrobes to feel premium without becoming impractical. Our designer cufflinks and men’s cufflink sets make the upgrade easy.
Luxurious Fashion Meets Attainability.
Why Cufflinks Are Trending Again in 2026
For years, the button cuff dominated everyday menswear. It was convenient. Familiar. Almost invisible.
Now, men are paying closer attention to the details that complete an outfit. Watches. Tie clasps. Bracelets. Pocket squares. And, increasingly, cufflinks.
The appeal is simple:
- They add personality without overwhelming a look.
- They make a classic shirt feel more intentional.
- They bring a jewelry-like finish to formalwear.
- They create a polished point of difference.
- They work with both traditional and modern tailoring.
The trend is not about dressing up for the sake of it. It is about making considered choices.
As Julie Rasband puts it, “The way we dress affects the way we think, the way we feel, the way we act and the way others react to us.”
That is the real power of a small accessory. It changes the way you feel before anyone else notices it.
The French-Cuff Revival Is Driving the Comeback
Cufflinks need the right shirt.
Specifically, a French-cuff shirt, also called a double-cuff or musketeer-cuff shirt. Unlike a standard shirt cuff, a French cuff folds back on itself and uses buttonholes rather than sewn-in buttons. The cufflink passes through the holes and holds the folded fabric securely.
The result is a thicker, more structured cuff that sits neatly at the wrist.
In 2026, French cuffs are appearing in more than rigid evening shirts. Softer cottons, relaxed tailoring, and contemporary dress shirts are making the style feel more approachable. The look is still refined, but it no longer needs to feel old-fashioned.
For the best result:
- Choose a shirt with a clean, well-shaped French cuff.
- Make sure the sleeve length allows the cuff to sit comfortably at your wrist.
- Fold the cuff evenly so the edges meet neatly.
- Insert the cufflinks with the decorative face on the outside.
- Keep the rest of the outfit balanced.
The cuff should be visible beneath your jacket sleeve. Not hidden. Not exaggerated. Just enough to signal attention to detail.
Cufflinks vs Buttons: Which Should You Choose?
The question of cufflinks vs buttons comes down to occasion, convenience, and the impression you want to create.
| Cufflinks + French Cuffs | Buttons + Standard Cuffs |
|---|---|
| More formal and distinctive | More versatile and everyday |
| Adds jewelry-like detail | Keeps the look understated |
| Ideal for weddings and ceremonies | Ideal for travel and casual offices |
| Works well with tailored suits | Works with almost any long-sleeve shirt |
| Requires a little more preparation | Fast and effortless |
| Offers more room for personality | Keeps attention on the full outfit |
Choose cufflinks when you want your outfit to feel deliberate. They are excellent for:
- Weddings and receptions
- Formal dinners
- Business presentations
- Job interviews in traditional industries
- Conferences and networking events
- Date nights with tailored dressing
- Dressy celebrations
- Black-tie or evening occasions
Choose buttons when practicality is the priority. They remain the right choice for everyday business-casual dressing, frequent travel, and situations where you want your accessories to stay quiet.
Neither option is wrong.
Buttons are timeless. Cufflinks are expressive.
How to Choose the Right Cufflink Metal
The best metal depends on your wardrobe, your existing accessories, and the mood you want to create.
Silver and Steel
Silver-tone and steel cufflinks are the easiest starting point. They feel modern, clean, and understated.
Choose them with:
- Navy suits
- Charcoal suits
- Cool gray tailoring
- White or pale blue shirts
- Black shoes and silver-tone watches
A brushed finish is particularly strong in 2026. It offers a premium look without excessive shine.
The Timeless Bezel Men’s Cufflinks are a natural choice for this direction. Made with laser-cut brass and steel, they feature a cool brushed finish and kinetic movement inspired by watchmaking. At $47.99, they deliver statement detail with accessible value.
Gold and Warm-Tone Metals
Gold-tone cufflinks bring warmth and a touch of traditional luxury. They work especially well with earthy tailoring and richer accessories.
Try them with:
- Brown or tan suits
- Olive tailoring
- Burgundy ties
- Cream shirts
- Brown leather shoes
- Gold-tone watches or bracelets
Keep the shape simple. A warm metal already makes an impression, so you do not need an oversized design.
The Queen’s Nectar Men’s Cufflinks combine a polished gold finish with a honey-orange center. They add color without losing their formal character and are currently listed at $30.99.
Enamel and Color
Colorful cufflinks are one of the easiest ways to make the trend feel personal.
The 2026 approach is controlled rather than chaotic. Look for a color that connects with your tie, pocket square, socks, or shirt. The accessory should complement the outfit, not compete with it.
The Cobalt Morpho Men’s Cufflinks offer vibrant blue hand-painted detailing on intricately designed brass cufflinks. At $29.99, they are a confident choice for a navy suit, blue shirt, or evening look that needs a little more character.
Match Cufflinks to Your Suit
The simplest rule is to coordinate, not duplicate.
Your cufflinks do not need to match your suit exactly. They should sit comfortably within the same visual story.
Navy Suit
Navy is highly adaptable. Pair it with:
- Brushed silver or steel for a contemporary look
- Blue enamel for tonal coordination
- Gold-tone metal for contrast
- White or pale blue French-cuff shirts
Charcoal Suit
Charcoal looks best with restrained accessories.
Choose:
- Silver-tone cufflinks
- Steel or satin finishes
- Black enamel
- Minimal geometric designs
This is a strong option for interviews, formal business settings, and evening events.
Black Suit or Tuxedo
Keep the accessories classic.
Polished silver, white metal, or understated black designs are reliable choices. Avoid oversized novelty shapes unless the dress code is intentionally creative.
Brown, Olive, or Tan Suit
Warm tailoring welcomes warm metals.
Gold-tone and brass cufflinks complement these colors naturally. Add a cream shirt, burgundy tie, or textured pocket square for depth.
The Regency Reserve Approach
The Regency Reserve collection captures the more romantic side of the cufflink comeback.
Inspired by refined old-world dressing and modern eventwear, the collection brings together sage, blush, cream, floral, and gold-tone details across ties, bow ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, tie bars, and lapel pins.
It is made for the man who enjoys a more expressive formal look. Weddings. Garden parties. Celebrations. Any occasion where classic tailoring can carry a little more personality.
The styling formula is straightforward:
- Pair gold-tone cufflinks with a cream or white French-cuff shirt.
- Echo sage or blush tones through a pocket square or tie.
- Keep the suit neutral so the accessories remain focused.
- Choose one statement detail and let the rest support it.
That is the difference between curated and crowded.
How to Build a Men’s Cufflink Set
A good men’s cufflink set should cover more than one occasion.
Start with three categories:
-
A versatile metal pair
Silver or steel works across navy, charcoal, and black tailoring. -
A warmer formal pair
Gold-tone or brass adds contrast to earth-tone suits and celebratory dressing. -
A personality pair
Enamel, texture, or a subtle motif gives you room to experiment.
The goal is not to collect endlessly. It is to curate intelligently.
A small selection of premium accessories can transform an existing wardrobe. One French-cuff shirt. Two or three designer cufflinks. A reliable watch. A well-chosen tie clasp.
That is enough to create multiple polished combinations.
The Final Word on the 2026 Cufflink Comeback
Cufflinks are back because menswear is becoming more intentional again.
The French cuff gives the shirt structure. The cufflink gives the outfit personality. Together, they create a look that feels confident, informed, and slightly ahead of the curve.
Start small.
Choose a French-cuff shirt. Select a metal that works with your watch and belt buckle. Match the accessory to your suit’s color temperature. Keep the design clean.
Then notice how you feel.
More composed. More prepared. More visible.
Explore The Haberdashery’s Tie Clasps & Cuffs collection for designer cufflinks, men’s cufflink sets, and polished formal wear accessories for men.
Hurry Up! Selected pieces are currently reduced by up to 22%.
Upgrade Your Cuffs. Refine Your Presence.
We’d Love to Hear from You. If you have questions about choosing a metal, styling a French cuff, or finding the right gift, contact The Haberdashery. We Value Your Questions.