Cufflinks - Arm Candy for Men and Women

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Article Title: Cufflinks - Arm Candy for Men and Women
Author: Suzy Powell
Category: Culture and Society, Collecting, Hobbies
Word Count: 613
Keywords: cuff links, cufflinks, cufflink, history of cufflinks, personalised gift, engraved gift, photo gift
Author's Email Address: suze@calderwebmarketing.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Cufflinks began their iconic life during the seventeenth century and at this time they oozed social prestige and luxury. Prior to this they were worn in the middle ages though at this point they were known as cuff strings. Sites in the London Gazette in the 1600s and the said that they were embedded with precious diamonds.

During the nineteenth century cuff links became a staple in the gentlemans wardrobe. More designs came onto the market and due to new manufacturing techniques and mass production prices came down. This accessory which was once adorned by wealthy gentlemen was now affordable, accessible and desired by the general public.

In the 1800s the French cuff became popular in menswear, increasing the demand for the coveted cuff link. Later than century jewellery designers cashed in on the growing trend of shirt accessories and designs and styles to suit every taste came onto the marketplace.

Precious materials were used to create cufflinks such as gold, silver mother of pearl and were embellished with mosaics, precious stones, and enamel. Shirts were especially produced to allow the wearing of the cuff link.

By the 1920s the Boyer establishment invented the rolling button cufflink system, which is still used today. Its a stud linked to a rod that swivels along its length between two stems. The Boyer establishment also created tiepins and art inspired enamelled links.

And so began a new arm candy fashion craze. It was no longer a men only fashion statement. Women also began wearing them starting in the 20th century. The freedom and fashion energy of the roaring twenties allowed women to embrace this fashion frenzy of arm candy or wrist jewellery as its also been known.

Sales of cufflinks hit a rather low point in sales during the beginning of the 20th century with shirt producers mass producing shirts with cuff buttons in place. The result was that the fashionable accessory entered into another new phase of its life for being sought after and enhancing status through dress.

Cufflinks are produced in so many different styles and designs and from a massive range of materials. They have embraced rock and roll in the 1970s and became a way to express oneself. Some would say that in a stifled office environment that the cufflink along with the tie enable men to be able to express their personalities through mens accessories.

There is a cufflink museum based in New Hampshire, America. They have on display over 50 thousand pairs of cufflinks from the majority of countries in the world. They have evolved and permeated fashion art music technology and various levels of society.

There is also a National Cufflink Society. They are an interesting fashion accessory which has a massive following of collectors. It is rumoured that the president of the National Cufflink Society has almost 40 thousand pairs in his collection.

Cufflinks have been excellent wedding gifts, business incentives, anniversary presents, and in general personalised gifts for any occasion.

Cufflinks are still worn by men and women in our era, in many scenarios. Shirts without cuff buttons are plentiful and so, with everything else in the 21st century, revolves around consumer choice. Its a well known fact in face to face business that the common old cufflink can be a real conversation starter.

Cufflinks lend their selves to being a special personalised gift. There are so many styles which can meet with the hobbies and interests of the person you are buying for. Most of them can be engraved for free with a special message. Sometimes a full colour photograph can be supplied digitally or in person and all or part of it engraved onto the special gift.

Cufflinks and a huge range of personalised gifts are supplied by http://www.blinkgifts.co.uk/ who provide free engraving and luxurious presentation of gifts.
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