# French Cuffs **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 28, 2001, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855 "2001-03-28T17:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/1 "2001-03-28T17:24:16Z")
I gotta question about French cuffed shirts. Can I, without committing some grevious sartorial breach, wear French cuffed shirts without a tie or jacket? Or is this considered gauche? I’d hate to be gauche. ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/2 "2001-03-28T17:41:27Z")
Are you going to be wearing it buttoned up completely? What kind of pants? What kind of collar? Need more info. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/3 "2001-03-28T17:48:13Z")
Uh … I knew this would be too complex. • Well, I s’pose if I weren’t wearing a tie, I’d button everything except the collar button. • Pants? Yes, I’ll be wearing pants. I guess I’d wear my four-season pleated and cuffed woolies. • The collars are simple pin-point collars, no buttons, or other gewgaws. How 'bout with suspenders and a tie? ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/4 "2001-03-28T17:53:14Z")
My .02 worth. Shirts with French cuffs are generally considered much more formal than shirts with buttoned cuffs and for that reason I’d stick to only wearing a shirt with French cuffs with a suit and tie (or at the very least a blazer). As for whether you’re going to be wearing your shirt completely buttoned up…please tell me you don’t loosen your tie and unbutton the top button unless you’re getting ready to take the tie off. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/5 "2001-03-28T18:03:06Z")
> [@](#): > > As for whether you’re going to be wearing your shirt completely buttoned up…please tell me you don’t loosen your tie and unbutton the top button unless you’re getting ready to take the tie off. Good God, no. That would be unthinkable. My collar and tie are worn the way nature intended. ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/6 "2001-03-28T18:17:15Z")
I’m just having a hard time picturing UncBeer in a tie, period. _thinks some more_ Nope, can’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/7 "2001-03-28T18:19:24Z")
I do all the shopping for Mr. Grace who is in a business that requires him to wear suits every day. I agree with **plnnr**. Shirts with french cuffs are a little dressier and should only be worn with a suit and tie A nice blazer would work too. I prefer look of a man in suspenders with his suit, but Mr. Grace prefers a belt. If you’re planning on wearing a french cuff shirt all day, IMHO you can remove your jacket without causing a serious faux pas. One of things that really bugs me is to see a man wearing a dress shirt, usually white, without an undershirt. Clark Gable may have done it in _It Happened One Night_ but as a rule I would say it’s a no-no. No one really wants to see your nipples. If you’re going to wear nice clothes, be sure that you follow the trend all the way to your shoes and socks. I know a man who wears expensive Italian suits but wears shoes without socks. It looks absolutely ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/8 "2001-03-28T18:23:00Z")
if a lady wears one, does the collar match? :ducks and runs: ---
**Author:** ![doc\_miller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f05b48/32.png) [@doc\_miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doc_miller)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/9 "2001-03-28T18:25:13Z")
If you’re in a situation where wearing a normal dress shirt sans tie and coat would be OK, then you can get away with the french cuffs. While they are generally considered a little more formal than standard cuffs, you can also just pass it off as quirky. Scott ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/10 "2001-03-28T18:25:39Z")
I often wear a French cuff shirt without a tie, although I keep a couple (of ties, that is) nearby in case an outside client or supplier should suddenly spring out of the floor. I **always** wear suit pants and dress shoes with it, so that it really does just appear as if I’ve simply taken off my tie. Nobody seems to mind (or at least nobody’s ever said anything). 'Course, ultimately I’m considered a techie, so perhaps they’re just cutting me slack since they assume I must be socially challenged. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/11 "2001-03-28T18:31:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Pants? Yes, I’ll be wearing pants. versus that kilt you’ve had hanging in the closet for just _forever_. Sakes, you can’t find a thing to go with it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/12 "2001-03-28T18:56:00Z")
And just _try_ to find the proper shade of green garters to go with your lederhosen. The men’s stores around here simply haven’t a clue. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/13 "2001-03-28T22:48:49Z")
I strongly prefer French cuffs to buttons; so I’ve researched the topic pretty thoroughly over the years. You can wear them without a tie, but with a suit, provided the top button is open. A trend in recent years that goes along with this look is to pass the link through one side of the cuff only; giving an open and (forgive the gender-association) blousy look. They also can be worn with jeans that are in excellent condition, with dress shoes and (for the love of the gods) socks. In this set-up, there should be no blazer and no tie. Ironically, they can’t be worn with intermediate level slacks (Dockers, etc.). \ Does anyone know of a department store or menswear chain that has French cuff shirts on a regular basis? In the greater Phoenix area, Robinson’s May is the only one I’ve found, and they only carry them in white. I’d like to find some in black, navy and other colors \ ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/14 "2001-03-28T23:01:46Z")
**Unc:** If you’ve removed your jacket and necktie, the next step is to carefully roll the sleeves of your shirt _twice,_ so that the ends now fall at your forearms just short of the elbow. Whatever you do, do not roll them _three_ times, which will cause your sleeves to end above the elbow and for you to look ridiculous. There. Now no one can see just _what_ the hell your cuffs look like. But the sight of your sinewy forearms will drive the chicks wild. No damn _shirtcuff_ ever drove the chicks wild. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/15 "2001-03-28T23:11:24Z")
_Sinewy forearms?_ Surely you mean _stringy_. S&K Menswear sells a pretty decent range of French cuffed shirts. Check the Roberto Villini line. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/16 "2001-03-28T23:41:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FallenAngel \* > \*\* > \ Does anyone know of a department store or menswear chain that has French cuff shirts on a regular basis? \<\<\\>\>\>I’d like to find some in black, navy and other colors \ \*\* You can definitely find them at Macy’s and Nordstrom. We were at Macy’s (DFW) this weekend and they were having a huge sale. There were several shirts on the clearance table that had french cuffs. I know I saw one in burgundy and one in navy. Unfortunately none were the right size for the hub. I haven’t been in Brooks Brothers in awhile but they used to carry quite a few french cuff shirts. When blue shirts with white collar and cuffs were trendy, we bought a couple there. I seem to recall that they had some other colors as well. You might also try Dillards (if you still have them in the Phoenix area). I think if you might find a few there. Your best bet is probably a higher end department store though. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/17 "2001-03-28T23:56:49Z")
Black? Navy? Burgundy? With a suit? Someone said the key word here…trendy. Growing faint, can’t imagine…,french cuffs with jeans,…open collar…, oh the horror…Cary Grant and Fred Astaire are rolling over in their graves…what hath God wrought? ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/18 "2001-03-29T01:40:04Z")
Bluesman, whom I respect and think is a pretty snappy dresser, wore a french cuffed shirt to a Doper gathering sans a tie or jacket and looked smashing. I do believe he wore his shirt button to the neck most of the evening and undid the button when he realized how late we dopers were going to chat. [Cite for said shirt here](http://falcon1204.topcities.com/raleigh2.htm) (scroll to the bottom). I must add that it was impeccably ironed (probably by the ever-lovely Lucretia…he is AIR FORCE, afterall). And I agree with Falcon…it’s hard to picture, but I’m sure you’ll look just fine in it. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/19 "2001-03-29T03:14:15Z")
Ta hell with all that French stuff, Unc… A Pirate shirt’s what ya need! :::thoughtful pause::: Yep! Arrrrrggghhhhh… ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Magdelane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a4c791/32.png) [@Lady\_Magdelane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Magdelane)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855/20 "2001-03-29T05:36:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\*No damn _shirtcuff_ ever drove the chicks wild. \*\* The hell they haven’t… I swoon over french cuffs on a fella. Especially when they do the cufflink through the ‘outer’ hole leaving the cuff actually open. _gurrrrowwal_ Gotta have the right cufflinks, though. And not something that you can even buy at a Robinson’s May. (Too common and trite) If anyone wants to see a proper cufflink, do a search on eBay for \*\*Siam Sterling cufflinks[b/]. That will show you how elegant the concept of french cuffs can be. You won’t be disappointed. ~Mag [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-cuffs/59855.md?page=2)