Cocktail cuffs

The cocktail cuff, also called turnback cuff, is a special hybrid between the double cuff and the barrel cuff. It consists of a double-layered piece of fabric folded outward but – unlike the classic double cuff – fastened with one or two buttons rather than cufflinks.

The cocktail cuff became famous through the James Bond films of the 1960s, in which Sean Connery wore shirts with this detail. Turnbull & Asser in London made the shirts. The folded edge visually doubles the cuff height and provides an elegant, visible finish at the wrist without having to manage cufflinks.

Structurally the double fabric strip is folded before sewing so that a flat turnback is created. Folded, the cuff measures about 6 to 8 cm in height, twice that when opened. The button usually sits at a height of about 3 to 4 cm.

Cocktail cuffs suit elegant leisure shirts and business shirts with something extra. They are more subtle than classic double cuffs with cufflinks but clearly more formal than a plain barrel cuff. Ideal for those seeking elegance without fuss.