THE FASHION LINK

Cufflinks have returned to fashion favour. Savile Row customers accustomed to wearing properly cuffed shirts may not have been aware that they had gone away but their resurgence is evident in new ranges and designs being introduced.

Plain gold chain links are the classical standard but men can enjoy having some design originality up their sleeve – and bar links are easier to insert. Given that this is one of the few items of jewellery open to those men who eschew neck chains, bracelets, rings other than signet, and facial attachments, the cuff link is set to be a popular present for this year’s Father’s Day and beyond.

Aquascutum is the latest to launch a cuff links collection, designed especially for them by Babette Wasserman. This designer has established quite an international reputation for herself since graduating from St Martin’s College of Art and launching her first cufflinks and jewellery collection in 1997.

The links with her trademark handcut crystal stones have classic appeal but she has also included some rather more distinctive ideas – the punk stud links above, for example, and the sleek silver and gold links studded with small crystals, left.

Doyen of the links world is Longmire, unrivalled in the sheer extent of their collection and in the quality of craftsmanship that goes into it. Based just off Jermyn Street, the traditional home of shirt makers (though Hilditch & Key and Turnbull & Asser are probably the only two still doing bespoke), Longmire offers a bespoke service and will incorporate individual design details into their hand enamelled links.

Two examples of Longmire’s art are shown here: Above, classic chain link in 18 carat gold and black enamel paillon patterned with fleur de lys, using a special technique so that the paillons appear to "float" in the black enamel above the starburst background, also available in blue, red and cream, price £2,940. T-bars may be ordered.  And this intricately crafted bat design is in white gold, set with black diamonds, T-bar, price £5,060.

SHADES OF INSTANT GLAMOUR

There’s nothing quite like donning a pair of dark glasses to imbue an instant sense of style and glamour. And this summer’s designs have taken on more generous proportions than the mean frames of recent years, sturdier models dominating the top styles ranges.

No designer worth his salt is without a range of shades bearing his brand name - but what’s in a name? Some specs are considerably better than others, and good design isn’t much good  without lenses that provide a high protective quality.

New to London is a limited but very stylish and hand made Italian collection called ‘Super’.  Available from an eclectic young style site, www.goodhood.co.uk, the half a dozen designs are unisex, already selling well to men, and all with high quality Zeiss lenses.
This pair are style Ciccio, with jacquard tortoise shell frame and clear lenses that give 100per cent UVprotection, and are reasonably priced for their quality to retail at £87.

From the Motor Sports range of Puma come the glasses, left, vintage inspired, they say, hence the heavier frames and bigger shape. Price from around £50. Another chunkier pair, right, from the new Lacoste collection, a thicker version of the popular wrap-around style and with a touch of colour. These sell at about £87.

CHANGE FROM CLASSICS - FOOTWEAR DAZZLERS

Many of today’s captains of industry took their first steps on the road to success in a pair of classic Clarks lace-ups. Mothers trusted the tender tootsies of their off-spring to this reputable brand, with its sensible styling and quality of make, and it continued to supply such shoes as its junior flock grew older.

Like most other British shoe brands,  the company has had to adjust to competition from cheap imports. They have weathered the storm by re-inventing themselves, offering such young, funky style as these, whilst retaining their quality.

There are many fine classic formal and sporty styles in their latest collection, but for sheer enjoyable chutzpah these two styles take the biscuit. On the left is style Jamaica Treck, available in various stunning colourways, price £65, and right, the Desert Boot celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, flying the Union flag, £89, both in suede, from Clarks Originals.