The wardrobe
Shirt Cuffs
Button cuffs fasten directly; French cuffs fold back and fasten with cufflinks. Choose the fastening for the occasion, then fit each wrist and coordinate the sleeve length. Bring your regular watch so its cuff has the room you need.
Choose for the occasion
Button cuffs work across a broad range of business and casual shirts. French cuffs create a more formal presentation and allow cufflinks to become part of the outfit. Neither choice is a substitute for the right collar, cloth and front treatment.
For black tie, discuss the shirt as a complete design with your tuxedo. Coordinate the cuffs with the formal shirt’s collar and front.
| Cuff | Fastening | Useful consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Button cuff | One or more buttons, according to design | Everyday ease and preferred shape |
| French cuff | Cufflinks through a folded cuff | Formality, fold depth and jacket sleeve room |
| Watch-side allowance | Adjusted circumference on one side | Clearance over the watch you wear |
| Shaped cuff edge | Rounded, angled or other available treatment | Relationship to collar and placket |
Understand a turnback cuff
A turnback or cocktail cuff folds back while fastening with buttons, giving a different profile from both an ordinary barrel cuff and a cufflink-fastened French cuff. It suits a preference for a visible fold with button fastening. Review the available design beneath your jacket sleeve to check depth and clearance.
On a barrel cuff, one-button and two-button descriptions may refer to the chosen layout rather than a universal formality scale. Rounded, square and angled edges are finishing choices. Choose the layout for its shape and ease of fastening.
Fit each wrist
A sleeve that appears too long may be paired with a cuff that is too loose to stop where intended. Shortening the sleeve alone can reduce room for reach. We assess the sleeve and cuff together, including how the fabric rests when the arm returns to a natural position.
Bring your regular watch. Its thickness as well as its width affects the space needed. The two cuffs do not have to share exactly the same circumference if your wearing needs differ.
Coordinate with the jacket
A folded cuff needs to move inside the jacket sleeve without catching unnecessarily. Its depth also changes how much shirt is visible. Establish the shirt fit before using it as the reference for jacket sleeve length.
Look at the outfit with your arms at rest, then bend them normally. Check that the cuff rests neatly and moves comfortably over the wrist. The shirt fit guide describes the wider assessment.
Keep the design coherent
A shirt for daily wear may need practical cuff fastening and a cloth that launders appropriately. An evening shirt can prioritize a more formal finish. Choose cufflinks, if used, with the other visible metal details rather than expecting every piece to match identically.
With custom shirts, small adjustments can make everyday use more comfortable. Compare collar, cuffs and cloth in the shirt collection, then refine those relationships at the fitting.
Questions and answers
Do French cuffs always require cufflinks?
Yes, the traditional folded French cuff fastens with cufflinks rather than an ordinary button closure.
Can one cuff be larger than the other?
Yes. We can allow room for a watch on the side where you wear it.
Why does my cuff fall too far over my hand?
Cuff circumference and sleeve length both affect resting position. They should be assessed together.
Should I bring cufflinks to the fitting?
If the shirt is designed for them, bringing the intended cufflinks helps assess fastening, fold and ease inside the jacket sleeve.
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