Double-sided cuff links were worn at the Palace of Versailles during King Louis XIV's reign.
"Cuff links are certainly a statement accessory for men," said luxury brand expert Ashish Nair. "They give a sense of refinement in one's dressing." The 16th century accessory is still a classic men's accessory today that comes in many different shapes and sizes, running the gamut from plain affordable to diamond-encrusted expensive.
Double-Faced
Double-faced cuff links, which are also referred to as dumbbells or shank-style cuff links, are considered very formal. These cuff links have two similar-sized faces that connect with a metal bar. This cuff link style surged to the front of all men's fashion store windows in the early 1900s. These cuff links were most popularly worn in the U.S.
Chain
Chain cuff links are similar to double-faced cuff links, except that the faces are connected with a chain, instead of a metal bar. Typically, a small metal plate is hung from the chain with an engraved logo or with the wearer's initials. This type of cuff link is the original cuff link design, and allows for a looser cuff due to the flexibility of the chain.
Snap-On
Snap-on cuff links, also called double-sided snaps, have two faces that snap together to hold the cuff in place. These cuff links were very popular from the early 1900s to the 1930s, when flamboyant fashions were the rage during the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties. Snap-on cuff links are hard to find today, but there are some cuff link factories that continue to manufacture the vintage accessories.
Push Through
Push-through cuff links have a single face with a rounded end that is pushed through the cuff link hole. They are very easy to put on, but can fall or slide off. This type of cuff link is typically more affordable than others because of its simple design. The push-through cuff link is very popular in the U.S. because of its convenience and affordable price.
Hinged Back
Hinged-back cuff links feature a swiveling bar that is attached to the cuff link. Once the cuff link is pushed through the cuff link hole, you can twist the hinged back to lock the cuff link in place. The most popular hinged-back cuff links are bullet backs and toggle backs, which can be flipped vertically 90 degrees so that the back lines up with the posts, and makes it easy to be inserted through the cuff link holes.
The whale back closure resembles a straight post with a flat "whale tail," for the closure. The whale back closure can be flipped horizontally to secure the cuff link in place.
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