Do You Know Your Fashion Lingo?

French descriptive terms every man should know to avoid those completely avoidable fashion fallacies.

Haute couture
Haute couture is a French term that describes high fashion. If an item is characterized as "haute couture," it means that it's custom-made. Haute couture connotes exclusivity, and one-of-a-kind clothes made from the finest quality materials that usually cost more than $10,000. You know, the kind of threads celebrities wear to upscale events like awards shows and movie premieres.

Prt--porter
Prt--porter is French for ready-to-wear, and is used to describe high-end designer wear. However, unlike haute couture, prt--porter clothing isn't one of a kind. Prt--porter clothing is pricey and you'll find it off the rack at high-end department stores and boutiques. Examples of popular prt--porter designers include Jean-Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci (FYI: these designers also have haute couture collections).

Faux pas
A faux pas is a blunder that can occur in social settings, as well as in fashion. In other words, it's an error in (style) judgment that should be avoided at all cost. Common fashion faux pas include wearing white socks with dark trousers and wearing sunglasses indoors.

Glitterati
Glitterati is a term used to describe a crowd of attractive people who tend to be well-dressed, usually referred to as the elite.

Trs chic
Trs chic means very fashionable; it's usually used to describe a specific item, like a suit, for example, or as a compliment for a place or an event.

Pice de rsistance
In food lingo, plat de rsistance means main dish. In fashion, pice de rsistance is used to describe an important item, whether it's a must-have item of the season or an item that stands out from an ensemble.

Du jour
If it's an item du jour, that means it's ultra trendy.

Pass
The term pass is used to describe something that was once in style (see du jour), but no longer is; basically, it's a thing of the past.

Old-school
The term old-school is used to describe a fashion item that has a retro, vintage or classic look. A lot of old-school athletic wear (i.e. from the '70s and '80s) such as sneakers, tracksuits and T-shirts have been making a comeback.

Resources: AskMen.com

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CuffLinks.com Now on Facebook!

To keep you in the loop of all of the great things happening at CuffLinks.com we have created a page on facebook.

As an incentive to keep you up to date with your style trends, everyone who becomes a fan will receive a FREE pair of silk knot cufflinks from our collection.


After becoming a fan, send us a message with your mailing address and we will do the rest.

See you on facebook!

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Necessities

Convertible cuffs shirts offer the optional use of cufflinks. They come with buttons but they can be removed and cufflinks inserted.

Although they are rare, mainly because you either are a French cuff man or you aren't, such a flexible shirt is a great addition to your closet.

The best of both worlds is possible and highly recommended!

Here are some great retailers that carry this type of cuff.


Land's End offers the convertible cuff at a very affordable price point - $29.50.


Men's Warehouse offers a variety of dress shirts ranging in prices and they offer free ground shipping on orders over $100!



Banana Republic offers a great selection with stripes, solids and every color in between.

Find some amazing cufflink designs here for those days where you want to add a more stylish look to your convertible cuff!

Mothers Day Surprises

What can you say that would do justice for how much your Mom means to you? No one trumps mom! So set aside the card and candy and get something for Mom this Mother's Day that will show her how much you really care.

Mother's and Father's Day are often thought of as Hallmark holidays, that their only real purpose is to sell cards. Well think what you want, but for every year your mom has stood behind you, I think one day of appreciation should be granted!

Here are some great gift ideas for you procrastinators out there.

Get Crafty


Reminiscing with pictures promotes and reinforces the strength in the bonds of your family. Pictures she hasn't seen in a while, or better yet ones she doesn't even know about, are the moneymakers in this scenario. Add your creative touch with tag lines and souvenirs from family trips. A photo album is something she can keep and cherish forever.


Dinner


While this is probably done all the time, making it just a one-on-one dinner date would be what separates this gift from the others. Pick a place you know she will love, and make a reservation! One of the best dinner spots could be right in your own home. Cooking her favorite dish could be the best gift she has ever received.

Gifts


While your mother will say a purchased gift is unnecessary, it will still be appreciated! Here are a few sure fire winners.

Personalized

Everyone has seen those World's Best Mom mugs, so get her something truly unique. A pair of Photo Screen Cufflinks are a great idea for the business chic mother.

Using a picture your mom just loves is a great gift that can remain in the family for generations. The sky is the limit with this pair.

Spa Treatment


A day of pampering will show her you understand how hard it is to be a mom and you want to repay her. A massage or an appointment with her hair stylist (on you) is such a nice and thoughtful gift she will finally tell you that you are her favorite!

Personalized M&M's


Something sweet and thoughtful and who doesn't love M&M's?

To shop more thoughtful Mother's Day gifts, click here.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is becoming the Mexican version of St. Patrick’s Day. On the 5th of May, party animals everywhere say as many Spanish phrases as they know, sport the 'ol sombrero, and often do a few too many tequila shots. But does anyone have any idea what they’re actually celebrating? Here are five things you didn’t know about your favorite pre-Memorial Day, post-St. Paddy’s excuse for getting wasted.

1- Cinco de Mayo commemorates a victory over France


Mexico owed money to a number of European countries, but in 1861 they went “defaulted student loan” and stopped paying. So France, whose army hadn’t been defeated in 50 years, decided they would force them to pay and, while they were at it, take the country over. French forces were larger, better equipped, and better trained. However, on May 5, 1862, near the city of Puebla, Mexicans armed with pitchforks and limited weaponry won The Battle of Puebla. They drove the French off -- until a year later when the French managed to take over after all. Still, Cinco de Mayo commemorates that brave and unlikely battle.

2- Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexican Independence Day


Mexican Independence Day, or “Grito de Dolores” ("Cry of/from Dolores"), is celebrated on September 16, and commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest from the town of Dolores, declaring war against the Spaniards in 1810. He ordered his church’s bells be rung and preached revolt on the steps in front. Spain didn’t recognize their independence until 1821, after nearly a decade of war. A federal holiday, Mexicans celebrate the day with parades, ringing church bells and fiestas. So, basically, Cinco de Mayo has nothing to do with that.

3- Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the U.S. on a wider scale than in Mexico


Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday in Mexico. It’s more of a regional holiday that’s celebrated primarily in and around Puebla. It first gained popularity in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s, due in part to the Good Neighbor policy, a U.S. government effort implemented at the time to reach out to neighboring countries. Mexican-Americans embraced the holiday as their own day to celebrate their heritage. Popular Chicano icons like Cesar Chavez became more associated with Cinco de Mayo than any mention of The Battle of Puebla.

4- They love Cinco de Mayo in Malta


Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea where you’d be hard-pressed to find even one Mexican, knows of Cinco de Mayo because of one reason: Corona Extra, la cerveza mas fina. The beer began exporting to the United States in 1979, and saw a golden marketing opportunity in Cinco de Mayo. Corona is now sold in over 150 countries and is the fifth-best selling beer in the world. They’ve taken their Cinco de Mayo message all over. While there’s a movement called "Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo," which promotes an alcohol-free, family-centric holiday, they’re losing the battle to skunky beer. Not even the Maltese are listening.

5- Chandler, Arizona celebrates Cinco de Mayo with chihuahua racing


Since the Mexican army stampeded a huge pack of chihuahuas in front of them when attacking the French, Chandler remembers the battle with chihuahua racing. Just kidding -- chihuahuas had nothing to do with the battle, but the races happen anyway. Have they no respect of culture? Apparently not, as they also crown a king and queen of the chihuahuas.

Information courtesy of Askmen.com

So here's to you Mexico!


Show off your patriotism with flags for your cuff.
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Fashion Meets the Final Frontier

Fashion Meets The Final Frontier
With Cufflinks From Cufflinks Inc.

Cufflinks, Inc. is debuting a line of Star Trek branded Cufflinks, licensed from CBS Consumer Products, for a Spring 2009 release.

The Cufflinks, Inc. agreement establishes a worldwide deal which provides the cufflink maker the ability to create numerous branded Star Trek products. Made from enamel and rhodium plated silver, the Star Trek Cufflinks feature the classic Starfleet communicator emblem worn by Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, as well as the rest of the crew aboard the Starship Enterprise. Additional designs for the series are slated for a summer 2009 release.

The first officially licensed Star Trek cufflinks within the series are currently available at Cufflinks.com as well as other men’s specialty stores.

About Cufflinks, Inc.
Cufflinks, Inc. is a manufacturer and online retailer of cufflinks and other men's accessories. Cufflinks, Inc. was included in the Inc 5000 as the 39th fastest growing privately owned retailer in America for 2008 and has been featured in men’s magazines such as GQ, Men’s Journal and Maxim.
About CBS Consumer Products:

CBS Consumer Products, a unit of CBS Entertainment, manages worldwide licensing and merchandising for a diverse slate of television brands and series from CBS, CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution, as well as from the company's extensive library of titles. Additionally, the group oversees the CBS Retail Store and online sales of programming merchandise. For more information, visit www.CBS.com. 


Links of the day, fit for a King

It is rumored that the NBA will announce LeBron James as this season's MVP. If this rumor is true, King James will be the third youngest MVP in NBA history behind only Moses Malone and Wes Unseld. Already having taken his team to the finals once before, LeBron is staking his claim as the beasts of the east yet again this year. In honor of this likely announcement, Daily Cufflinks presents the Cleveland Cavaliers Cufflinks.

Officially licensed by the NBA and normally $50 bucks a pair, enter coupon code lbjmvp at checkout and get $10 off. This very special price is only valid until tomorrow.

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