Cufflinks-a timeless classic

In a way cuff links can be considered as timeless classics,since These miniature works of art actually predate the shirt. According to the National Cufflink Society, evidence of their use can be found in ancient hieroglyphics in King Tut’s tomb. But cuff links as we know them were first used during the 1700s.During that time buttons had ceased to be decorative and cuff-fastening slits were being cut into clothing. The ribbons or tape ties of the past were replaced with luxurious items, often made with gold or silver and set with gemstones. These were an extravagance reserved for the wealthy classes and were all hand-made.
It wasn’t until the mid 18th century and the invention of the steam-driven stamping machine, electro-metallurgy and the Tour a’ Guilloche machine, which could mass-produce enamel cuff links, that men’s jewelery was opened up to a wider audience. By the 1840s what we now know as the French cuff, or double-cuff shirt became popular – and unlike most fashions it’s remained so since. The middle classes adopted cuff links, but unable to afford the silver or enamel cuff links they used replicas such as fake diamonds and gold-colored alloys with foil backing instead. A hair of a lost loved one was traditionally placed under glass on a man’s cuff links as a sign of grief.
During the 1880′s in America, George Krementz patented a device based on a civil war cartridge shell-making machine that could mass produce one-piece collar buttons and cuff links. Suddenly every US business was commissioning cuff links for advertising or as gift incentives for clients. During the 1920s the enamel cuff link became the most prevalent style. In Russia, the communist revolution forced the luxury artisans of Faberge to emigrate across Europe and often to America, where they taught their enameling skills to others. Their designs often reflected the art movements of the day, but by the 1930s low-cost production of plastics led to a decline in the use of enamel. But these enamel cuff links remain highly collectible; especially the hand-made ones.
Cuff link use peaked in the mid 1960s, when Swank Inc, a popular manufacturer, was making 12 million a year. These days the figure is closer to 200,000. But cuff links are making a comeback, with gross sales having increased consistently over the last ten years, while the French cuff continues to be the most prestigious type of shirt,which have buttonholes on both sides of the cuff.To trace every significant movement in art through the design of cuff links. can be done at the Cuff link Museum in Conway, New Hampshire, which proudly displays over 70,000 pairs.The most expensive cuff links ever sold were a pair given to the soon-to-be King Edward VIII by his later wife Wallis Simpson. These featured diamonds set in platinum and sold at auction for $440,000. So as a whole,cuff links have a long history spanning many cultures and designs which makes it a timeless classic.

Cufflinks

I’ve seen so many novelty cufflinks around – I got married last year and while my husband and I were shopping for his outfit, both on the high street and online, everywhere was swamped with “hilarious” joke cufflinks or just plain silly ones that say “GROOM” on them, or “RIGHT” and “LEFT” or rude pictures and slogans. To be perfectly honest, I hate these cufflinks.

I can’t imagine who would buy such tat – I am guessing probably drunks who think the slogans are funny or think that they’ll look good wearing a pint glass shaped cufflink. Personally I think I would disown my husband if he ever expressed interest in a pair.

You can find some lovely traditional cufflinks and we decided for our wedding that some gemstone (Snowflake Obsidian which is white and black) and silver ones were just lovely and they looked great. My father and the other men in the wedding party wore silver with black Onyx.

Very versatile

Dress shirts are incredibly versatile and a welcome addition to almost any type of wardrobe. Depending on the style of dress shirt they can be worn over trousers or on their own. Typically dress shirts will be worn on their own in a casual or party like context, although there are more and more people now wearing these in more formal, office like environments.

Dress shirts tend to be quite short, which is why they will normally fit more into the casual context than a professional environment, however the dress shirt style can also lend itself to longer items which are perfect summer office wear.

Dress shirts are flattering for most shapes, but particularly curvy or hour glass figures that want to add extra definition to their waist and want the flexibility over how much cleavage they reveal!

For a particularly sexy look, add wedge heals or a colourful belt to the ensemble.

Go on invest in a dress shirt – you won’t regret it!

Office essentials

It is really important for a woman to have a capsule wardrobe to wear at work, as this will help to simplify her working life, and make choosing what to wear and getting dressed in the mornings much easier.
Clothes should be selected in a few base colours, such as black, white, navy and grey, with splashes of colour that are contrasting and will provide more interest, such as red, green or plum. In the summer, the shades can be lighter and more suited to the warmer weather.
A working capsule wardrobe wardrobe should consist of a number of separates that will work well together. These could be a couple each of skirts and trousers, a few blouses and tops, and a couple of different jackets that will go with everything else. The shoes should be comfortable and smart – two to three pairs of stylish shoes in a dark colour will suffice. They can be different styles and heel heights, and able to match the clothes in the capsule wardrobe. Accessories can be mixed and matched with different outfits to keep them looking fresh. Depending on where you work, the rules on what can be worn may be a little more relaxed.
If these suggestions are followed, dressing for the office should not be a headache, but an enjoyable experience.

The Perfect Office Wardrobe

The essential capsule wardrobe for female office workers consists of several different items of clothing which are kept separate from other clothing. Office appearance is essential as you want to look smart and professional. Your appearance can also help when it comes to promotion, so wearing the right clothes can help on many levels.
A collection of smart blouses or shirts, freshly laundered, is necessary so that these can be changed and washed daily. You can’t have too many shirts as these can be worn either with or without jacket. Shirts should be smart button-ups, plain or slightly patterned. Patterns should be discreet, and not appear too casual. Sleeves can be either long or short.
Another item of capsule clothing is a smartly tailored dark jacket, either navy blue or black. Marks & Spencer and Next have some fashionable ranges and their prices are affordable. Tailored skirts or trousers are perfectly acceptable these days, both looking equally smart.
The last items of capsule clothing are shoes. Slilettos are not a good idea as they become uncomfortable as the day wears on. A pair of well polished 2” or 3” shoes in black or navy finish off the ideal capsule wardrobe for women.