French Cuffs

[OnTheMark]

I have gotten to the point where I am phasing out all barrel-cuffed shirts from my business wardrobe. I just don't feel "dressed" anymore unless I have French Cuffs-they just give that extra-sharp edge.

So here is what I am wondering: Why so many warnings about not wearing them to interviews and meetings with conservative clients? I happen to be in Manhattan and see the majority of men wearing them, so the guys I see may be more fashion-forward than the average guy, but I also see men all over the media wearing them all them all the time. For chrissakes, Geroge W. Bush wears them all the time-isn't he supposed to be the standard bearer for arch-conservatism? So is there really still a stigma with French Cuffs, or have they finally just turned into a standard of business dress?

 

[Alex_O]

They are perceived as flashy and are often too large.
Once you have made it obviously you can wear what you wish but on an interview you try to impress upon others your serious aspects. French cuffs can detract from this.
It's really not that big of a deal just a suggestion for putting the best foot forward. All this concerns America and its peculiar sartorial past. Can anyone comment on European attitudes ?

 

[ViroBono]

The opposite is true in the UK, where wearers of buttoned cuffs (and that other sin, pockets on shirts) are considered highly suspect (or American). French cuffs are, if anything, becoming more popular, and many chain stores now sell shirts with them (and a pocket, so they can be spotted instantly). Buttoned cuffs are the very opposite of conservative here.

The impression one would gain of an individual would not be limited to observation of his cuffs alone - his shoes, suit, tie and watch may all contribute. But a man's overall style and manner is important too - just owning the right clothes is not enough.

If anything, I think that UK employers would look more for ability than the way someone dressed, though it matters in some compaanies. A friend of mine got a job with a software company selling to high-end companies. He spent a couple of thousand pounds (against my advice) on some very nasty continental-cut suits and some Ralph Lauren shirts. On his first day his boss told him that they were not selling used cars, and he should not therefore dress as if he was a car salesman. More business for my tailor.

 

[Roy]

French Cuffs are considered stuffy here. Why not play around a bit with Naepolitan Cuffs for example?

 

[Phil]

French cuffs are not flashy. Sometimes people dont make the best decisions as to what kind of cufflink to be wearing however. If you keep the links to something classic (silk knots, sterling knots, double sided enamels), there is no way someone would hold that against you, in an interview or not.

 

[ernest]

In high level jobs, everybody wears cufflinks.

Only workmen or clerks can found it flashy.

 

[shoreman1782]

Well, I think people who see hard and fast rules are missing the point. Personally, as a young (24) man, I would be hesitant to wear French Cuffs to most job interviews. It really depends on the job. If you're in Manhattan, and trying to work for an investment bank, yeah, FCs are likely alright, and probably won't even be noticed. But, if you're in Maryland interviewing with a govt contractor in a bus casual office, French cuffs might seem ostentatious. Ernest, some of us might be clerks.

 

[arvi]

French Cuffs are considered stuffy here. Why not play around a bit with Naepolitan Cuffs for example?

never heard of these

 

[ernest]

Ernest, some of us might be clerks.

That's why you should wear as if you wear NOT clerks. Dress like the boss of your boss to succeed.

 

[jcusey]

Quote:

(shoreman1782 @ 15 Dec. 2004, 2:17) Ernest, some of us might be clerks.

That's why you should wear as if you wear NOT clerks. Dress like the boss of your boss to succeed.
More career advice from the member who has no job. Thanks, ernest.

 

[ernest]

Quote:

(ernest @ 15 Dec. 2004, 07:22)

Originally Posted by shoreman1782,15 Dec. 2004, 2:17

Ernest, some of us might be clerks.

That's why you should wear as if you wear NOT clerks. Dress like the boss of your boss to succeed.
More career advice from the member who has no job. Thanks, ernest.
You are welcome. No job but better income than many people working...

 

[ernest]

Quote:

(ernest @ 15 Dec. 2004, 07:22)

Originally Posted by shoreman1782,15 Dec. 2004, 2:17

Ernest, some of us might be clerks.

That's why you should wear as if you wear NOT clerks. Dress like the boss of your boss to succeed.
More career advice from the member who has no job. Thanks, ernest.
This is an advice from Ask Andy site. If you have some suggestion to do, tell him because he doesn't work neither.

 

[Roy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy,15 Dec. 2004, 05:51
French Cuffs are considered stuffy here. Why not play around a bit with Naepolitan Cuffs for example?
never heard of these
I just ordered a shirt with a similar (Sea Island) fabric, except the blue is a bit darker. :

With white Naepolitan cuffs:

And a white extreme cutaway collar. Done by Barba, so the buttons are MOP instead of plastic and it will look a lot nicer than on the pics.

 

[ernest]

Quote:

(arvi @ 15 Dec. 2004, 2:22)

Originally Posted by Roy,15 Dec. 2004, 05:51

French Cuffs are considered stuffy here. Why not play around a bit with Naepolitan Cuffs for example?
never heard of these
I just ordered a shirt with a similar (Sea Island) fabric, except the blue is a bit darker. :

With white Naepolitan cuffs:

And a white extreme cutaway collar. Done by Barba, so the buttons are MOP instead of plastic and it will look a lot nicer than on the pics.
you can see on this picture that buttons are plastic?

 

[Roy]

Quote:

(Roy @ 15 Dec. 2004, 2:47)

Originally Posted by arvi,15 Dec. 2004, 2:22

Originally Posted by Roy,15 Dec. 2004, 05:51

French Cuffs are considered stuffy here. Why not play around a bit with Naepolitan Cuffs for example?
never heard of these
I just ordered a shirt with a similar (Sea Island) fabric, except the blue is a bit darker. :

With white Naepolitan cuffs:

And a white extreme cutaway collar. Done by Barba, so the buttons are MOP instead of plastic and it will look a lot nicer than on the pics.
you can see on this picture that buttons are plastic?
These cuffs are from a dutch website, they use plastic buttons on their shirts