Dress to impress
As the constant bright, loud and brash advertisements let us know on a daily basis, festive season will soon be upon us. For many this means a host of work-related cocktail parties, events, dinners and more, be it Christmas, New Year or just a general excuse for a party. We all want to look our best for such events as dressing to impress becomes the name of the game. Having bought a new suit; perhaps treated yourself to some new shoes or revitalised an old favourite pair - the smaller, but no less significant accoutrements and accessories will help give your look that extra dazzle. By far the greatest weapon in the gentleman's attire arsenal is the cufflink. A small, but striking accessory, which when paired with a set of shirt studs will really help you to stand out among the crowd in your event of choice.
Cufflinks and colour: expressing personal style
When offering advice on the perfect elegant stud set for your festive occasions, there is the obvious element missing, which is your own personal taste. That notwithstanding there are some key universal pointers that will serve you well should you take heed. Firstly, don't be afraid of colour. Our suits, shirts and shoes have a tendency to err on the conservative side, so cufflink and stud sets afford us the opportunity to let our character shine through. For the more conservative, for instance, the subtle sophistication of Longmire's double oval black/red enamel dress set in 18ct yellow gold is hard to beat, while the more adventurous, or indeed the nature enthusiasts might opt for the immeasurably attractive ladybird/bug dress set also in 18ct yellow gold.
Sterling silver cufflinks - a best seller
Another stellar option for less ample budgets, but continuing the double oval theme, would be the double oval black & white enamel dress set in sterling silver, which time and again proves to be a best seller. For more formal black tie events mother of pearl will prove a winning combination and there are several such high end sets on offer that will be the envy of all and sundry. For the latter (black tie event) you will possibly be best served going for a full dress set, which comprises of cufflinks and four shirt studs all in the same style, playing off each other and designed to work as a set like this.
Cufflinks and creativity: balancing playfulness with elegance
While sets are available and are the obvious, easy choice for perfect synergy you can also create your own set by pairing complementary colours. This gives you the leeway to opt for a more playful pair of cufflinks that give a nod to part of your personality and your passions while still working well when paired to your chosen set of shirt studs. Just remember that for more formal events elegance is often achieved through simplicity of design and the less is more adage can hold true. Understated elegance is a phrase that exists for a reason and classic designs are inherently easier to pull off.
