Yes, cufflinks are still in fashion. But not in the old, stiff, boardroom-only way people sometimes imagine.
Today, cufflinks work best when they feel intentional. They are not just about dressing formally. They are about adding personality, detail, and story to an outfit. That is exactly why handmade cufflinks still matter. A mass-produced pair might finish a shirt. A well-made, locally crafted pair can say something about the man wearing them.
That is where Lord Coconut’s cufflinks stand apart. Pieces like the Neo-Deco cufflinks by Aimee Sutanto and the Wave (oxidised) cufflinks by Philip Monk show why cufflinks still have a place in modern style. Both are handcrafted in Melbourne in sterling silver, both are Australian-made, and both bring something far more personal than a generic pair pulled from a department-store shelf. The Neo-Deco pair adds Art Deco-inspired geometry and customisable initials, while the Wave cufflinks draw on Victoria’s surf coast with an oxidised, sculptural finish.
Cufflinks are still fashionable when they feel personal
Cufflinks have lasted because they do something simple but powerful. They turn a functional part of a shirt into a point of expression.
That still matters now.
Men’s style has become less about rigid rules and more about carefully chosen details. A good pair of cufflinks works the same way as a strong watch, ring, or pair of shoes. It does not need to scream for attention. It just needs to feel considered.
That is also why the best cufflinks today are rarely the most generic. The pairs that feel current are the ones with character. They might reference architecture, memory, landscape, symbolism, or a personal milestone. They should feel chosen, not default.
The Neo-Deco cufflinks do this beautifully. Their Art Deco influence and customisable initials make them feel elegant, architectural, and personal at the same time. The Wave cufflinks take a different path, using a dramatic wave motif inspired by Victoria’s surf coasts to create something moodier and more expressive. Both prove the same point: cufflinks stay fashionable when they have meaning.
Handmade cufflinks feel different because they are different
This is where the real divide sits.
Mass-produced cufflinks are made to be broadly acceptable. They are often neat, polished, and safe. But they can also feel anonymous. They finish an outfit without adding much to it.
Handmade cufflinks tend to do the opposite. They carry a maker’s touch. The detail feels more deliberate. The finish has more depth. The design usually starts with an idea rather than a trend forecast.
On the Lord Coconut product pages, both featured pairs are described as handcrafted in Melbourne and Australian-made. The Neo-Deco cufflinks are made in sterling silver by Aimee Sutanto, with personalised lettering available. The Wave cufflinks by Philip Monk are also handcrafted in sterling silver, with an oxidised finish that gives the surface more atmosphere and depth. Both pages also note that products are made to order by individual Australian-based jewellers and designers.
That matters because people notice authenticity, even in small accessories.
A handmade pair does not just look better on paper. It often feels more alive in person.
The best cufflinks tell a story
This is one of the clearest reasons cufflinks remain relevant.
A tie can be practical. A shirt can be necessary. Cufflinks are different. They are chosen. That makes them one of the best places in menswear to add meaning.
Sometimes that story is personal. Initials, dates, or design references can make cufflinks feel like a keepsake. Sometimes the story is visual. The pattern, symbol, or shape reflects something about the wearer. Sometimes it is tied to place, craft, or identity.
The Neo-Deco cufflinks tell a story through style and occasion. Their geometric Art Deco direction, hand engraving, and custom initials make them especially strong for weddings, milestone birthdays, and meaningful gifting. The Wave cufflinks tell a story through place and mood, referencing Victoria’s surf culture and translating that energy into oxidised sterling silver.
That is why handmade cufflinks do not feel dated. They feel specific. And specificity is what keeps accessories modern.
Locally made cufflinks have more depth than off-the-shelf options
There is also a real difference between buying a pair of cufflinks because you need them and buying a pair because they are worth owning.
Locally made cufflinks tend to offer more of the second.
When a pair is made by a local jeweller, there is usually more design intention behind it. More care in material choice. More connection to place. More individuality. In Lord Coconut’s case, these cuffs are tied directly to Melbourne makers and Australian craftsmanship, which gives them far more substance than generic formalwear accessories made at scale.
That is especially important now, because men’s accessories no longer have to look corporate to feel refined. They can be artistic. They can be symbolic. They can reflect architecture, ocean energy, or personal initials. That shift makes handcrafted, locally made cufflinks more relevant, not less.
When do cufflinks still make sense?
More often than people think.
They obviously work for weddings, black-tie events, and major celebrations. But they also work anywhere a man wants his outfit to feel finished and distinctive rather than standard. A dinner jacket, a tailored suit, a special work event, a milestone birthday, or even a dress-shirt look with intention behind it all give cufflinks room to shine.
The Neo-Deco cufflinks are especially strong for weddings and milestone gifting because of their customisable lettering and refined geometry. The Wave cufflinks suit men who want their formal accessories to feel more individual and less conventional, especially if they connect with the coastal story behind the design.
So yes, cufflinks are still in fashion. They just work best now when they feel personal, not obligatory.
What separates a fashionable pair from an outdated one?
A fashionable pair of cufflinks feels deliberate.
An outdated pair usually feels generic, overly stiff, or disconnected from the person wearing it.
The difference is not really about whether cufflinks are “in” or “out”. It is about whether the design has taste, relevance, and individuality.
That is why storytelling matters so much. A pair of cufflinks inspired by Art Deco architecture, personalised with initials, or shaped by the movement of the sea feels far more current than something bland and interchangeable. Materials matter too. Sterling silver, oxidised finishes, hand engraving, and made-to-order craftsmanship all help a pair feel substantial rather than disposable.
The modern answer is simple: cufflinks are still fashionable when they feel like a choice with meaning behind it.
The final word
Cufflinks are absolutely still in fashion. The difference is that the best ones no longer rely on old-school formality alone.
Now, the strongest cufflinks are handmade.
They are locally made.
They tell a story.
They feel personal.
And they avoid the mass-produced look that makes so many accessories forgettable.
That is exactly why the Neo-Deco cufflinks by Aimee Sutanto and the Wave (oxidised) cufflinks by Philip Monk stand out. They are not just formal accessories. They are small pieces of wearable design with real identity behind them.
If you are going to wear cufflinks, wear a pair that says something. Browse the handmade cufflink options at Lord Coconut and choose a piece that brings more than polish to your shirt.
FAQs
Are cufflinks still fashionable in 2026?
Yes. They remain relevant as a detail-driven men’s accessory, especially when they feel personal, story-led, and well made rather than generic. This is an inference from current retail positioning and product trends across Australian handmade and premium cufflink sellers.
When should men wear cufflinks?
They are ideal for weddings, black-tie events, milestone occasions, dress shirts, and any look where a man wants to add polish and personality. Lord Coconut’s Neo-Deco page explicitly positions them for weddings and milestone gifting.
Why choose handmade cufflinks over mass-produced ones?
Handmade cufflinks usually offer more individuality, stronger design character, better storytelling, and a more personal connection to the maker and materials. Lord Coconut’s featured pairs are handcrafted in Melbourne and made to order by Australian-based jewellers.
Are sterling silver cufflinks a good choice?
Yes. Sterling silver gives cufflinks durability, a premium feel, and a timeless look. Both featured pairs use sterling silver, with the Wave design also using an oxidised finish for added depth.
Do cufflinks make a good gift?
Yes. They are especially strong as wedding gifts, milestone gifts, or keepsakes when they include personal details or a meaningful design story. The Neo-Deco cufflinks are personalised with two initials of the buyer’s choice.