Shirts and Cufflinks

Are shirts and cufflinks a must in the office.  Well it does all depend on the type of office and the dress code.

Some offices have a smart/casual approach to dress, so it would only be appropriate to wear shirts and cufflinks in this case if you were hosting a meeting for some business clients from outside the company.

However if your office has a smart dress code -  perhaps because it is open to the public and wants to create a good impression for the company, then there is nothing to beat shirts and cufflinks.  Smart cufflinks show you have good taste.  But in an office situation, do make sure your cufflinks are tasteful – naked lady ones might not appeal to some of your clients!  Keep those for more informal/non-business occasions.

Cufflinks did go out of fashion for a time, but they are back now with a vengeance.  So shop around and find the smartest ones you can and dazzle everyone with them!

Relax…it’s good for you.

Shirts and cufflinks in the office? I can see why they are preferred. Smart, impressive, and give off an air of power. If a person is interacting with other powerful businessmen or women, a suit is a must. Can you imagine turning up in jeans and a t-shirt? Who is most likely to broker a deal: someone who looks smart, confident and tidy, or someone dressed casually?

There are different levels, however. It depends on the office. If you are somebody who simply sits working on a computer and/or answering the phone all day, and have no interaction with any prospective clients, why shouldn’t you be comfortable while you work? Instead of sitting in an uncomfortable suit, complaining about how hot it is outside, why not be able to wear the above mentioned jeans and t-shirt?

It would certainly make the employee feel more comfortable and thus, increase productivity. I see no reason why you have to get dressed up in order to be able to use a computer.

Thus, I would conclude that rather than use the term “office” generally, it should depend on what type of office and what kind of work is being done. If you’re trying to impress someone, I would go for the shirt and cufflinks look. If you’re just sitting in front of a computer all day, there appears to be no reason to get suited and booted – unless you want to of course.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go.

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go. But what to wear?  Is it a shirt and cuff links, or a t-shirt,  and just pretend it’s dress down day every day.  Decisions, decisions.

There was a time when dress code was obligatory, watch any old black and white film, and every man is wearing a hat.  Seen many people wearing a hat lately?  Unless maybe it’s a uniform, hats are out, these days what goes, goes.

Do we lose something in this free for all, anything goes world of ours?  I think so.  It’s something important. It’s the self confidence we feel when we wear clothes that make us feel good, not because it is expected of us by others, but because we expect it of ourselves, the personal feel good factor.

So, yes, I wear a shirt, that’s a given in my opinion.

Cuff links?  Cuff links are a whole different matter.  Not least because they come in pairs, and just like socks, one is always missing, and looking for it just makes me late for work.  Hi Ho, Hi Ho..

Timeless, novelty or designer – you decide

Cufflinks can add a touch of class to any outfit and have done so since the 1800′s. Many people choose cufflinks and ties for weddings, birthdays, christmas & anniversaries as they make an ideal present and can be personalised to suit every individual taste.

However the dilemma appears to be when does a cufflink rank as designer timeless classic or novelty. The question certainly cannot be addressed by the wearer, as is so often the case beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess is the order of the day here. One mans meat is another’s poison and so on. At the end of the day, the question is are cufflinks still a timeless addition to a mans attire? Nowadays a mans wardrobe tends to be paired down to a more relaxed feel, and only the very formal look quite right in cufflinks, anything less tends to look a bit too novelty.

So if cufflinks are going to be a feature of your wardrobe, look for timeless elegance, and not the nearest ball & chain style – they really are novelty and not designer!

Thumbs up for novelty cufflinks!

Personally I prefer Novelty cuff links over the classic designs available. They add character to what may otherwise be a bland and boring suit and allow the wearer to inject a little bit of humour and personality into their look.

The Novelty factor means that you get a small insight into the personality of the person wearing the suit and also hints towards a non-work persona. They are also fantastic to give as gifts and there is a great range available on the market to cater for every occasion. Just because they may be humorous, doesn’t mean that there is not sentiment attached.

Classic designs obviously have their place and there are some lovely designs on the market, but these are a little bit too generic for my taste. Although they look smart and professional, there is no hint about what the person is really like and gives nothing away. Whilst okay for a formal work meeting, they are perhaps a bit bland for everyday use or for outside of the office environment.