Man Fashion Accessory: Cufflinks

While 'cuff links' is defined by the American Heritage English Dictionary as a pair of linked buttons or a similar device used to fasten the cuffs of a shirt, in modern usage 'cufflinks' is a combined variant spelling of the same fashion accessory. Cuff links / cufflinks are worn by men and women alike. More feminine, lighter-weight cuff links are also available for women's wear. Gemstone cufflinks are a perfect gift of perennial fashion for a wedding, prom, formal dinner, graduation, anniversary, after-five cocktails, evening dress, and daily office wear.

For your first time wearing fashion cufflinks, take your cue from the tone of the event and what others will be wearing. One way is to ask those putting on the event about appropriate attire. It may be helpful to wear your fashion cufflinks with the rest of your outfit at least once before the occasion to get used to wearing them, so you feel comfortable on the day. Because gemstone cuff links are real, and especially if the gemstones show unique characteristics, they can say a lot about you. And they can be a delight to wear.

To link a cuff with the most widely found design, close the swivel bar and insert the stem through the holes from the outside of the cuff with the gemstone or other main feature facing outward so it shows. Then simply open the swivel bar to secure the cuff.


Cuff links may be worn with your choice of several cuff styles, and matched with a necktie, button cover, ascot, or bolo tie / bola tie. Cuffs for custom dress shirts can include French cuffs (doubly layered and with two 'buttonholes' for each layer) in several styles such as angle-cut French cuffs or rounded-corner French cuffs. Additionally, there are many convertible cuff styles, with a second 'buttonhole' next to a button, so that you can wear cufflinks or simply button the cuff. Such cuffs can be straight, angled, or rounded, with one or two buttons plus 'buttonholes.' Similarly, the cuffs of an existing shirt can be made convertible. While there are many choices, keep in mind that all it takes is having two 'buttonholes.' The rest is simply your style preference. You may also wear cufflinks and studs with a shirt front with double button holes for the studs. Or a convertible style to button or wear with studs.

Choose cufflinks in keeping with the mood of the occasion. Hematite Cuff Links and other impressive, darker gemstones may be worn to the most formal event. Paua Shell Cuff Links and more personally expressive gemstones may suit a more festive occasion or daily wear for the office. Let the mood of the occasion guide your choice of gemstones.

Keep in mind that appropriate attire is usually not as rigid as a uniform, and there are many opportunities for personal expression. Plus, looking good with always fashionable gem cuff links means you are more likely to enjoy the occasion.

Tags: Man Fashion, Men Cufflinks, Men Fashion Accessory

Happy Birthday Harrods Girl!

Happy Birthday darling! This year, HG is going to spend her birthday watching the Les Miserable musicale and then spend the weekend in Venice! How exciting! I wish I can be there to celebrate with you. But since I can't, here are some virtual presents for you. The classic beige/black BCBG dress you've been wanting all season. This Prada satin clutch is the perfect match for this dress too. And don't you just LOVE the rosettes on that clutch???
More classics, we have this pair of black Louboutin pumps (which will also look fab with that dress). Every girl deserves a pair of black Louboutin pumps! And then there is the Tom Ford shades that you've been craving for- is this the right pair?In preparation for the coming Spring/Summer season, there is this beige Miu Miu Nappa patch tote (which I simply ADORE) and this pair of nude Louboutin slingbacks. I know how much you've been admiring nude Louboutins!
To put some color to your SS08 wardrobe, we have these simply to-die-for Prada sandals! They'd go perfectly with this Marc by MJ dress.
Skincare wise, I thought you might like to try this ZENO acne treatment to see if it really works to instantly zap away the pimples.
And last but not least, a luxe holiday to the Greek islands with your friends. Doesn't the scene look absolutely breathtaking? Sigh.

Anyways, HAPPY BIRTHDAY again and I hope you have a fabulous time at the musicale and in Venice!

Image Source: Sephora, Shopbop and Saks

Fashion Week Trifecta: MAC, Ports 1961, David & Phillipe Blond

OMG tonight featured a WHIRLWIND of Fashion Week activity.

First stop: a MAC event. I signed two documents forbidding me from writing about it, so... oh well!

Second: Ports 1961 -- If one could go on a jungle safari off the coast of Cape Cod, it would be to Ports-land, where models like Jessica Stam and Coco Rochas roam the terrain in lush, rich earth and jewel tones. (Saw: pretty princess Aisha Tyler and the basically boring Sophia Bush).

THIRD!: David & Phillipe Blond (their Website is inexplicably not updated!!! but here's their MySpace). This shit practically makes Heatherette look like Brooks Brothers. Barbie takes E and encounters magical unicorns, unicorn trainers in Louboutins, and glittery, goth dominatrixes who all look like Stella Tennant. The show was late by an hour but did, I do believe, feature Iekeliene Strange = maybe they were waiting for her. (I was starving by the time it started, and then I realized that that's how it must feel to be a model. That'd really suck.)

It was trill though, because there was plenty of famous and famous-because-you-know-them-from-reality-tv people to look at, including but not limited to:

+ Nigel Barker, who looked beyond appealing in a pin-striped suit
+ Nole Marin
+ Lynn Yaeger, longtime Village Voice fashion editor
+ Lydia Hearst
+ Patricia Field (you may have heard of her!)
+ Patrick McDonald
+ Various and sundry trannies
+ Various and sundry men who were possibly transvestites, and if not, they were simply wearing heels and/or lipstick (... for fun?)
+ Lots of other people who look like they've been going to Fashion Week since 1902, and then lots of club kids trying to dress like them

Anyway, that show was amazing -- the music that preceded the show (pop songs set to string quartets) was the best I've ever heard used in a show.

Okay. Those were completely beat reviews -- check Style, NY Mag (love their party photos), Coutorture, FabSugar, Elle and/or Fashion Week Daily for "actual coverage" -- but it's almost 2AM, and my mouth is growing some kind of moss or something that I really need to go take care of and then I need to go to bed so I can get up and vote... for myself as a write-in candidate.

(Photo credits: top: Bill Hayward; bottom: NY Magazine)

Kylie Reunites With Ex

Kylie Minogue and French actor Olivier Martinez seem to have gotten back together after separating nearly a year ago due to an alleged affair on Martinez's part. Minogue, 39, and Martinez, 42, who were an item for four years, were snapped strolling arm-in-arm in Martinez's hometown of Paris last week. Minogue, who was in town for the NRJ Music Awards, met up with Martinez at his apartment and then walked with him to her hotel on the Left Bank. The next day, the two met up again to walk Martinez's dog, visit the Yves St. Laurent boutique, and enjoy drinks at the picturesque Café de Flore. Word has it that Minogue has taken her former amour back with the condition that they settle down and start a family.

Lindsay Speaks

It's been six months since Lindsay Lohan left Cirque Lodge in Utah and she's finally speaking for the first time about her party-girl ways as well as getting back to work and her life now, sans bad influences.

Gracing the March cover of the UK edition of Glamour, Lohan tells the magazine that since she's the type of person who wants to trust everyone, it has been hard to hang out with some friends because they have gone different paths.

Expressing empathy for other fellow celebrities, Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse, who are going through some of the same troubles Lohan faced, she says she would be lying if she said she would never go to a club again, insisting that she is now more comfortable with her own company. "I'm fine being alone during the day, but I hate being alone at night. I like having friends around me, but now I'd much rather be at home," Lohan explains to the magazine. She says she fills her days now with writing in her journal and by watching TV.

And what does she think is the biggest misconception others have of her? "That I don't have my head in the right place. That, and probably that I'm not a good person...because actually I am."

- Erin Dustin

Sophia Bush Dripping In Dollars...I Mean Diamonds

Not only was Sophia Bush seen front row at the Herve Leger show during NYC Fall '08 Fashion Week, she was also seen shimmering in $317,088 worth of Jacob & Co. jewelry. Bush was sporting pave bangles, diamond earrings and a stackable ring from the luxury watch and diamond jewelry house.

Here's the lowdown on her accessories (just in case anyone out there is interested in purchasing these luxurious items):

Diamond Pave Drop Earrings: $270,288
Rose Gold Pink Pave Diamond Bangle: $20,400
White Gold Pave Diamond Bangle: $20,400
White Gold Pave Diamond Full Band: $6,000

- Erin Dustin

Jovovich Hawk for Target

Target is partnering with one of my favorite designers, Los Angeles based Jovovich Hawk for the next limited-edition collection for GO International. The collection will be arriving in stores March 2, just in time for Spring. Jovovich-Hawk's collection for Target is feminine and flirtatious, with intricate detailing. The collection ranges in price from $12.99 to $39.99. Here are a few of my favorite pieces.