I don't know what you call the style of cuff you wear with cufflinks. A friend of mine told me it could be called a "french" cuff, but I've yet to do any research on that. Does anybody know what Im talking about or am i just crazy?!
thanks goosemeplease. do you recommend any particular brand? something that will at least give me a few years of use. is custom tailoring an option?
whew.... too many questions!
North americans tend to call them "french cuffs" and in Britain they tend to be called "double cuffs" ... either is fine.
Get them here http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/default.aspx?DepGrpCode=HOM
Custom tailoring can also be an option if you know a good shirtmaker, want a particular style, or have an oddly-shaped body.
When you get your shirts laundered--as you must with a dress shirt--tell them NOT to use starch. Your shirts will last a LOT longer.
I'm wearing a TM Lewin shirt with silk knots at the moment. They're good with slacks, sometimes (depends on the shirt) they'll go with khakis, seldom with jeans. Actually I've gotten away with navy blazer/white shirt with silver knots/darker jeans, but it works best in the evenings.
As for cuff links, I only wear knots, unless we're talking black tie.
Lewin is my favorite since they're cut slim, even for an English shirt (which is already slimmer than US shirts). Turnbull & Asser is my second favorite - their cuffs are cut too narrow to accommodate even a modest watch. Hilditch & Key also makes a fine shirt, well worth having.