Barrel cuffs are the most traditional style of shirt cuff. It is a single band at the end of the sleeve that forms a cylinder, or barrel, around the wrist when fastened with a button. The fabric lays flat against itself and is smooth and seamless. Although a barrel cuff is a proper name, it is often referred to as a button cuff because of how it’s fastened.

Barrel cuff dress shirts are simple, sophisticated, and appropriate for almost every semi-formal event, such as office environments and some weddings. It is easy to dress up barrel cuff dress shirts with a sports coat. You can also pair them with jeans to create a casual, sharp look. We believe every man should own several barrel cuffs shirts since they are a versatile wardrobe staple.

Now that we have discussed the various styles of dress shirt cuffs, we want to break down the available shape options. We can categorize the majority of cuffs into one of these three categories.

1. Rounded Cuffs — This style is appropriate with or without a jacket and is one of the most common shapes on men’s dress shirts. Rounded cuffs have soft edges that form a curve near the button. It is the least flashy shape but is appropriate for varying events.

2. Square Cuffs — This option is dressier than rounded cuffs but is still appropriate for both casual and formal events. Square cuffs have a 90-degree edge and create a sharp, modern, minimalistic look. Additionally, square cuffs make it easy to roll up your sleeves and create an upscale, casual look.  

3. Angled Cuffs — This is the flashiest dress cuff shape. Angled cuffs are similar to square cuffs but create a 45-degree angle to create an eye-grabbing look. This style is a good choice if you want to make a statement and draw attention to your new watch or a set of cufflinks.

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Once you have found the perfect cuff shape, your options do not stop there. There are a variety of choices regarding how you will fasten your cuff. Most button styles fall into one of these three categories.

1. No-Button Cuffs — This is the French cuff. While there is no button, you can secure the cuff with a cufflink. This style is an excellent option for black-tie events.

2. One-Button Cuffs — This can refer to cuffs with a single button or two horizontal buttons. Having two buttons allows you to adjust the size of your cuff.

3. Two-Button Cuffs — Cuffs with two vertical buttons are often dressier than those with one button, but they are not as luxurious as French cuffs.

While there are countless dress shirt styles to choose from, ensuring your outfit fits properly is critical. Going to any event with an ill-fitted shirt can make you look sloppy and overshadow your intricate outfit details. Please stop by Culwell & Son to create a custom dress shirt for your next event. From cuff shapes to button placements, we will assess your needs and preferences to ensure you look sharp.