Nowadays the double cuff is mostly worn at special occasions, like a gala, prom or wedding. Men who wear a double cuff shirt are looking to exude an aura of class and refinement, it radiates class.Shirts with double cuffs are becoming less common in the workplace. In a number of professions they are still seen, for example in the legal profession or in the financial sector. But how to wear a double cuff properly? Which types of cuffs are there? And why is a double cuff also referred to as a French cuff? Interested? Then do read on.
How to properly wear a double cuff shirt.
The most important rule when wearing a double cuff shirt is that the cuffs should always be visible. This makes your outfit look nice and elegant, especially paired with a nice set of cufflinks. This brings us to the second point: the sleeve length of the double cuff shirt. Like mentioned above, the sleeve may appear from under the jacket with approximately two centimetres or 0,8 inches. In general the rule with a double cuff shirt is to use a cuff which shows about two centimetres (0,8 inches) from under the sleeve of the jacket. No more, no less. If the cuff of the shirt is too long, it will appear unkempt and ill fitting. If the cuff of the shirt is too short, it will not do the cuff justice and may even disappear up the sleeve completely .
What are the different cuff styles?
- Single cuff – the most common cuff. Most dress shirts are single cuff.
- Double cuff – referred to in the United Kingdom as French Cuffs.
- Single cuff with buttons and holes – usable as both a single and double cuff, also called a combination cuff.Popular brands carrying combi cuff shirts are Venti, Eterna, Seidensticker and CasaModa
The perfect occasion?
Double cuffs, also called French cuffs, are perfect attire for formal occasions, which may or may not require a tuxedo, you can often see film stars or business people wearing double cuff shirts to a gala or award ceremony. But the double cuff is also perfectly suited as business wear. Pair a double cuff with a nice pair of cufflinks and you really have an eye catching outfit.
Why on earth is it called a French cuff?
A popular theory, although it is an urban legend, is that the French cuff was created by Napoleon. Soldiers would wipe their noses on the cuff and be able to hide it by folding the fabric. Especially handy during long marches through cold weather. However it is not true! French cuffs were originally created by the British and are called Foldback, Turnback or Double cuff. The double cuff used to occasionally have three buttons so men could move the cuff by one button when it became dirty. Double Cuffs are quite famous and well worn in Amsterdam the Netherlands (called Herenkleding or Herenmode).
What do others think of double cuff shirts?
Make sure to check out the website overhemden.com (for dress shirts) with the largest range of dress and double cuff shirts in Europe. They will be happy to help you out. A shirt with a print and double cuff is rare to find. Double cuff shirts are much more formal than normal dress shirts, hence they are often only available in standard colors such as white, black, pink or blue. Are you looking for a double cuff shirt for your formal outfit or advice on the matter?
One Comment