How to Match Tuxedo Studs and Cufflinks
Almost every man has a pet theory about how to match tuxedo studs and cufflinks. While some men have strict rules about buying from the same manufacturer at the same time to enforce a complete match, other men have much more relaxed standards about the topic and they may have a freer, more open fashion style as a result. Some men bag the idea of matching altogether, in favor of a more eclectic look that has no rules and no boundaries. Ultimately, the choice is entirely up to you, but having a little background information handy can help you make an informed choice.
Tuxedo studs are small pieces of metal designed to replace the typical plastic buttons on a formal shirt. In the past, tuxedo buttons were a necessity, as there was no way to bleach out a shirt and make it crisp and clean without completely ruining the attached buttons. While this may no longer be the case, some men prefer the tradition and flash of tuxedo buttons over plain buttons. Cufflinks are much more common for modern men to own and use. These small pieces of metal are used to hold the sleeve of a shirt closed, and many shirts are made specifically to hold a cufflink instead of a button closure. Many men find they have boxes and boxes of cufflinks with absolutely no tuxedo buttons anywhere in their possession.
You could buy a complete set of new cufflinks and tuxedo buttons. These items are often packaged and sold together as a set. The tuxedo buttons are quite small, and the cufflinks are replicas of the tuxedo buttons at a much larger scale. If you simply must have tuxedo buttons and cufflinks that match to the letter, this is the safest and quickest way to accomplish this goal. Very picky men who are interested in upholding fashion traditions would, in fact, claim that this is the only way to get a true match. If you simply must use a set of antique cufflinks you already own, you could take your cufflinks to a jeweler and ask to have tuxedo buttons made per your specifications. This could prove quite costly, however.
Some men choose to link their cufflinks and tuxedo buttons together through a dominant metal or color. If your cufflinks are silver with black onyx, for example, you could look for tuxedo buttons that are simply silver or that are simply black onyx. It's smart to pay attention to the shape of the cufflinks as well. If your cufflinks are square, for example, your tuxedo buttons should also be square.
Some men choose to pair cufflinks and tuxedo buttons together by theme. Cufflinks often contain a whimsical, personal touch that's easy to play off of. If your cufflinks contain fish, for example, you could look for tuxedo buttons made of shell or mother or pearl or coral. If your cufflinks contain dice, you could look for small dice tuxedo buttons. This adds a bit of whimsy and charm to the outfit.
