Far be it from me to give fashion advice, but I was feeling in the mood for something light this week and am well-qualified to speak on matters related to "emergency business attire." So here is my best reflection on how to deal with a scenario all of us who wear french cuffs have faced – how to achieve reasonable presentation in a cufflink emergency.
Le Clip
If you've worn french cuffs for longer than a year and travel for legal work, you've likely tried "Le Clip." This is because a binder clip is the most accessible piece of hardware at 5:30 am, in a hotel, in Smalltown, Anywhere, in advance of a 9:00 am hearing. Unfortunately, Le Clip's good marks on accessibility barely make up for its poor functionality and looks. Tip: use a larger clip, remove the levers and keep them in case of blowout.
Le Clip Plus
In doing extensive research for this post I found this how-to, which suggests the use of two binder clips on each cuff to produce what looks to be a marvelous solution. I can't reproduce "Le Clip Plus" for the life of me though. Any patent agents out there who can figure this out?
Le Pragmatiste
Dismal presentation marks, but there's a simplicity of design here that's laudable. "Le Pragmatiste" is also the hands down leading solution on value and strength-to-weight – the latter being a quality that seems to have intrinsic value to a good sized segment of the male population. So if you don't have a good pair of binder clips, slink on over to the bread products part of your hotel's breakfast buffet and you may find yourself in luck.
Le Boulon
This is a wonderful solution if you're like me and keep your work clothes at work. "The Bolt" is highly accessible at home and carries cachet with construction sector clients.
Le Prêt-à-Porter
So brilliant but so boring. Great law firm swag potential if you marketing pros can manage the gender issue, but I'm informed that cufflinks for women are a trend. For sale here.
Suggestions? Please provide them below. Bonus points for pictures. Triple bonus points for pictures that include a good "blue steel."
The official cuff-link solution for the worried/rushed/open-cuffed lawyer at our library is the elegant brass fastener.
Bringing an air of worldly (and entirely practical) knowledge to the wearer, with a simple yet refined fashion solution.
Awesome visuals Dan. (says the gal who keeps a spare white shirt in the credenza…mine has buttons)
Awesome . . . cufflinks are for women too. I have many pairs but there are times when emergencies arise.
I've been guilty of using all three at the top. My latest idea was to text a colleague late at night and hope for him to bring them. It was a close-call success.
Francis