Hey Gents —
A common mansumption is that there’s ONE specific style of dress for every situation. Let me give you some examples:
“I work at an investment firm (or bank, or corporate office) so I have to wear a navy (or black, or gray) suit.”
“These pants are black, so I have to wear black shoes and black socks.”
“I’m making a quick trip to Target, so it’s okay to wear flannel pajama bottoms and flip flops.”
No! No no no, and no. And one more no. Especially that one about pajama pants. Only sophomore-year college girls do that, and even then, I disapprove.
I’ve been a fan of the high-low sensibility for a while, simply because it’s easier to fit in no matter what situation you are in. The no-fail ensemble of dark, well-fitted jeans, button-up
This brings me to the topic of french cuff
Honestly it’s not. French cuffs can add a little sexiness and style to your high-low uniform. Here are a couple ways to pull this off:
THE STANDARD







Fold cuffs down, join two ends together (inside touching inside) and stick cufflink stem (or silk knot) from the outside hole working your way in. There are four individual button holes you have to work that bad boy into, so be patient. If you get frustrated, have a glass of scotch, and try again. (Don’t have two glasses though, you may never make it out the door. And wait a second, isn’t it 7am? It might be a tad too early to start drinking.)
THE ASSISTANT



Some french cuff
THE ALTERNATIVE




My favorite way to wear french cuffs if I’m doing a lot of work at the computer or want to wear a sweater. Take your silk knot or cufflink, place it through the outermost button hole, working your way in. The trick is in how you overlap the cuffs; you want to slide one side underneath the other, so it forms a faux regular cuff. Then, you would work your cufflink post through the rest of the buttonholes. Check the photos above.
UNDONE


Okay, this is for the brave everyday man. It takes a little bit of nonchalance and attitude to do this, but I believe in you. Simply throw that french cuff
I guarantee that the educated, stylish man will think option A. All the other frumpy, gutless guys will think option B. The option B folks are also the ones wearing triple-pleated Dockers and blousy dress
A note on wearing french cuffs with no links: If you’re gonna take off your blazer to get your hands dirty, make sure to roll those sleeves up! We don’t want you getting caught in a meat grinder or that large, complex office printer. Plus, wearing french cuffs all unfolded and flapping in the wind makes you look weird. And we at the Effortless Gent do not endorse weird. Usually.
Well there you go, some pointers on how to rock the french cuff even when not attending dinner at the White House. If you take these tips and mix in a little bit of confidence, you’ll sooner or later be the coolest kid on the block.
Word.