French Cuffs: How, When, & Why to Wear Double Cuffed Shirts

SHOP THE VIDEO:

Don't miss out on this Guide:

Overview of shirt cuff styles:

1. Button cuffs also called barrel cuffs. They've got buttonholes on one side of the cuff and buttons on the other.

2. Link cuffs have holes on both sides of the cuff and as you might imagine are meant to be closed with links as opposed to buttons.

Two principal types of link cuffs:

1. Single cuffs which are just one layer of fabric fastened together with a link are standard for the white tie dress code and are also acceptable for black-tie if not necessarily standard at this point in time.

2. Double cuffs are twice as long and are worn folded back upon themselves. They're the standard choice these days for the black tie dress code and are also a staple of business wear.

Other kinds of cuffs are convertible cuffs which can be closed with either a button or a link depending on how you'd like to wear them. And finally, you may also sometimes see a buttoned cuff that has excess fabric that can be turned back upon itself. This is known as a turn back cuff, cocktail cuff or sometimes a James Bond cuff.

French Cuffs Construction:

French cuffs feature a length of fabric that is folded back upon itself and then fastened together with cufflinks. There are holes on both sides of the cuff going through all the layers of fabric. In other words, most French cuffs will typically have four holes in total to a cuff.

French cuffs can come in a number of shapes as can other cuff styles.

Straight edges are most common for French cuffs but you'll also see rounded edges, angled edges or mitered edges.

Why are they called French cuffs?

Since at least the 16th century upper-class individuals used elegant ribbons to prevent the ruffled ends of their shirt sleeves from coming open. This practice of adorning the wrists with some sort of decoration continued throughout the centuries. And by the early 19th century, when the modern style of shirt was coming into its own, the ruffles had been replaced with cuffs that were secured with links.

One apocryphal story also claims that French cuffs got their start when Napoleon ordered extra long sleeves for the shirts of the soldiers in his armies so that they could wipe their noses on the ends of their sleeve and then fold their cuffs back. There isn't any historical evidence to support this theory however so it's really just more of a fun story.

Whatever the case the term French cuff didn't really come into popular usage until the style immigrated to America. In other words, it may just be that calling it a French cuff made it sound a little bit more exotic and special to American consumers. And from then on the term stuck and it's the one that's most commonly used today.

Guidelines for wearing French cuffs on shirts

The traditional view on this subject is that French cuffs should really only be worn in more formal scenarios.

As standards of everyday dress have become more relaxed over the last half century and within the last 10 to 15 years, we've seen a resurgence in an interest in menswear. Some of these old style rules are able to be more freely bent now.

Tips:

1. It's always a good idea to show at least a little bit of cuff at the end of whatever you're wearing.

2. French cuffs are usually worn in the so called kissing style with the inside portions of both sides of the cuff together, they can also be configured more similarly to a barrel style.

3. There are a wide variety of different kinds of cufflinks to go with your French cuff shirts to suit the occasion. You should aim for a balance between your own sense of personal style and the formality of the environment you'll be in.

When it's appropriate to wear French cuff shirts?

The short and simple answer is almost whenever you want with a few key exceptions.

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Gentleman's Gazette
#notsponsored #frenchcuffs #shirtcuff

[brandoncrouse]

You guys have the best channel on YouTube. Please release videos more often. You won’t pin this comment...

[jeffpiper]

My grandfather was an executive at a large electrical engineering firm and always wore French cuffs/links with his business attire. When he died I was given his cuff link collection (72 pairs) and have recently started wearing same with French cuffed shirts. Thank you for another informative video.

[blockavelli]

I did not realize you can roll the shirt cuff to make it look like a barrel cuff. That’s why I love you guys

[HamletNOR]

Preston, you are TOTALLY owning this episode! In the first video you were a bit “fish out of water”. Now, you’re glowing confidence and charm! Love it, and keep up the great work!

[bills]

I really like your videos. No advertising, no bulshit. You are very professional and to the point. Your presentation is also very serious and short. I am saying all this because alpha m, TMF have all these problems specially there long advertising.

[TomMcMorrow]

A delightful video! I'm a big fan of French cuffs. I feel they add that little extra pop of panache, and are often a conversation starter! Keep up the good work, Preston! You're a wonderfully proper addition to the channel.

[OngoGablogian]

I also wear French cuffed shirts as part of an everyday look. White shirt, no tie, French cuffs, nice trousers with side adjustors and my suede Oxfords. Love it. Perfect for a casual evening.

[iansoutryer]

Preston: A very good video, informative and comprehensive. And well presented in a relaxed and confident mood. Don't be put off by by rude comments posted by immature 14 year olds.

[marvin]

I love it when you guys go over the history of all these fashion artifacts.

[adamgray]

I am a working manager and I love French cuffs. Thanks for the tip about rolling the cuff for use with sweaters. I always wear with a tie and generally try to match with a tie bar. Keep doing what you guys do!

[JeMappelleFrikandel]

Instructions unclear, ended up in French police cuffs.

[JD-vvqp]

Nearly all of my shirts are doubled cuffed- I love wearing cufflinks. It's a wonderful way of giving your outfit a bit more character. If I know I'm going to be rolling my sleeves up, though, either for fashion or function, I'll wear a button cuff. Either way, great work as usual, Gents.

[robertschneider]

I love French Cuffs, and the cufflinks at the site are just outstanding. One of the things I love about being almost 70 is can wear what I want, and I get a pass for faux pas. This is my very favorite YouTube Channel., I like the owner's last name too.

[markbyrne]

About 80% of my shirts are French Cuff, I like the look and always have. Both my Father and Grandfather were fans of the French Cuff! Enjoyed the video.

[tnmtemerity]

When I was a kid and I saw a video of Vladimir Horowitz playing piano I noticed he was wearing cuffs I’d never seen, or at least not noticed before. I immediately wanted my dress shirts to be like this. I also loved his huge bow ties.

[johnduckworth]

An excellent tutorial. I like your suggestions regarding the more informal use of the French cuff, particularly the neat trick of converting to a barrel cuff. I will now get greater use from my French cuff shirts.

[sorabhsood]

I love wearing French cufflinks shirts and matching the French cufflinks with lapel pins.

They make me feel very confident at formal occasions.

[jeffsanders]

Good job, young man. Preston you taught this old guy something new today. Keep up the good work.

[Retired_Gentleman]

Rolling a French cuff to make it barreled is new to me. I like that option so thank you.

[Indiskret]

Preston and French Cuffs: Instant like.