So let’s face it: who even considers wearing French cuffs? Aren’t those for fancy weddings and crap? Wait, what even is a French cuff? In case you are wondering, here’s what a French cuff looks like:

For most of us the only time we ever saw French cuffs growing up was while shopping for a tux for, let’s say, a winter formal (we all remember how fun those were). French cuffs quickly became synonymous with the feeling we had in a formal shirt: constricted, tight, and limited.

What you may or may not realize now is that French cuffs actually give you more freedom than barrel cuffs, not less. How, you ask?

1. French cuffs are roomier. While barrel cuffs fit closely to your wrist, French cuffs are free and never pinch.
2. French cuffs are more versatile. You can accessorize your French cuffs with knots or cufflinks instead of always being stuck with the same old button.
3. French cuffs are the epitome of class. Sure, you can wear them out to a less formal occasion and look fly. Go nuts. However, if you ever feel that your shirt isn’t formal enough, a French cuff shirt will always do the trick. French cuffs are the most sophisticated cuffs around, so they are great to have on hand when you need to look formal fast.

Whether they are hanging in your closet or in the back of your mind, take those French cuffs out (or design a French cuff shirt yourself) and show them off more frequently. Not only is it stylish to wear them in the US, but French cuff shirts are a quotidian style in other parts of the world. For example, in the UK, French cuffs are called Double cuffs because they are such a familiar, everyday style.

Or, if you need a more domestic example, take it from Joe Biden. Just look at how excited he is about them…

Courtesy of dreamdogsart.typepad.com

Ah, at last. A liberating cuff. In the words of a brave Scottish warrior, “FREEEEDOM!”

The holiday season may be a whirlwind, but you must remember to take a few moments this December to look longingly at that special someone in your life and get a little extra motivation to do something, well, special (believe us, you’ll never hear the end of it if you don’t…).

That’s why especially during the holidays, indiTailored puts our full stamp of approval on date night.

That’s right gentleman, it’s time to show your special lady friend how much you appreciate her—and if you’re going to put in a bit more effort to say, “I care,” you must do it with the proper style.

So for our “Date Night” shirt, to have you looking your best at times of crucial importance, we’ve selected a dark blue pinpoint shirt with a classy spread collar and a purple flowered pattern contrast.

With a shirt that shows sophistication, personality, and class, you’re bound to impress your gal with your sense of style. She’ll love that her man is comfortable enough to sport a floral contrast collar and cuffs and you’ll appreciate the feel of this 100% cotton, 80s 2-ply pinpoint.

Taking her out for something extra fancy (again, indiTailored fully supports such activities during the holidays)? Pair this shirt with a tie (full windsor knot, preferred) and simple silver tie bar. Add a sweater or fitted blazer to complete the look and you sir, are set for a magical evening.

White dress shirts: suit-staple, yes; fail-safe, definitely; traditional, often; boring…

Not necessarily.

This may come as a surprise to many of you, but white dress shirts can do more than complete a great looking suit. They are often be used as a starting point, or a building block for trendy outfits.

To illustrate this point, check out one of our favorite white dress shirts that includes a spread collar (we hold it down for the spread collar) and French cuffs and imagine pairing that with a light, cool blazer, skinny tie, pocket square and slim jeans.

Imagination failing you? Check out this dude below. Now there is a coolness to aspire to. 

Image from the Sartorialist

And if you prefer a more edgy number, try a colorful cardigan or vest and a complementary tie. The great part about a white dress shirt is that it serves as a solid base when the rest of your outfit is going to be loud.

The basic message here is two fold. Choose a white shirt with a bit of character and then pair with some pieces (bright ties, pocket squares, cardigan, sweater, blazer, etc.) that will really shine in front of/on top of a white shirt. Just be sure not to commit the worst of all white dress shirt sins.

...looking like a waiter.

Well, you knew this was coming. No more sleeveless tees in the office. Same for the old reliable college sweatshirt with the weird bleach spots near the neck. Fleece pullover? Nope. (Fleece pullover, really?) Vest?  Well, no one wears vests at work, forget that one. Anyway, in the well-entrenched tradition of media overreacting to a single story to draw wildly unjustified conclusions, we say here right now, that there is a vast flood of dress code enforcement under way in this great country of ours. You will soon be forced to have a closet stocked up with a least two weeks’ worth of clean, crisp, well-fitted dress shirts, or risk the wrath of the ever-vigilant Eye in the Sky. No, it’s true. In a school district in Texas (the Lone-Star State of all places):

“A letter was sent out enforcing the dress code, which became effective immediately a few weeks ago. All Ysleta district teachers and staff are required to dress professionally.”
Dress Shirts Dress Code

So, unless you choose a suicidal frontal assault against the unyielding power of Big Brother, we would recommend that you turn this oncoming crackdown into something positive. In other words, make it look goodI Check out indi Tailored’s new gallery for some ideas. Go casual, luxury, black, white, pastel, whatever. It’s all there. Buttondown collars and barrel cuffs. French cuffs and spread collars. White French cuffs and white spread collars. Executive collars and mitered cuffs. One, two, three button collars. Buttondown collars, not buttondown collars. Solids, checks (large and small), stripes. My brain is starting to hurt! It’s endless I tell you, endless!  You can run circles around The Man with your creativity and inventiveness. You will foil Big Brother’s attempts to control you by flexing your dress shirt muscles, until perhaps, one day, he gives up, and you can pull out that old sweatshirt again. (Wow, that was liberating.) Now go out and do what you have to do! Word.

French cuff shirts with contrast collars ooze power and precision.  As symbols of the straight-talking no-nonsense casino owners and big business tycoons of the old school business world, French cuff shirts have taken on a reputation over the years for the stuffy, uptight type.

The old rule goes, if the occasion is formal enough to wear a suit (vs. just a jacket) then it is also formal enough to wear French cuffs.  However, men everywhere are doing their part to downplay the uptown elegance of the contrast collar and cuff look by following these simple style suggestions.

1.  For casual Friday, pair a blue and white vertical striped French cuff shirt with a deep v-neck cardigan (watch out because this one is a babe magnet for end-of-the-work-week drinks).

2.  One word: denim.  Take your best pair of dark denim jeans (like your custom jeans from indiDenim.com), and instead of putting on some dank t-shirt to match, top em’ off with your pimpest French cuff contrast collar shirt. A dark color for the body of the shirt is the key to achieving the proper contrast with the white collar. The whole ensemble will frame your face even in the dimmest lit of all after hour hangouts.  This combination is a must have for the shy-guy come hither act in clubs across the country.

3.  For a casual day outing, a regular old run of the mill pair of khakis can go a long way with a contrast collar shirt.  Wear flip flops. Pack a picnic.  Unbutton that top button and leave the rest for someone else to do.

Don’t take our word for it.  Investigate what your own French cuff shirt will do for you by flipping through our shirt designer. 

So where do you stand on this? I’m thinking old school, don’t get too casual Mr. President.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18744.html