What are surgeon cuffs on a men’s suit? Have you ever heard that term used before? Simply put, functioning buttons on a suit jacket sleeve are calledsurgeon’s cuffs. Sometimes we call them working button holes.
And like so many things in menswear (e.g. the ticket pocket), there’s some interesting history behind them.
In the early 19th century, military field surgeons were required to wear suit jackets. Amidst a battle, while treating wounded soldiers, the doctors would understandably stain their jackets. The ever practical tailors on Savile Row in London introduced functional buttons on the cuffs of a jacket’s sleeve, so that the doctors could roll their sleeves up when needed. Since then, surgeon cuffs have been synonymous with carefully crafted and high-end men’s suits.
![What are surgeon cuffs? [and when to wear them] (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw== "What are surgeon cuffs? [and when to wear them] (1)")
That’s the short answer, but let’s go a little deeper.
It’s important to understand that historically, the Savile Row neighborhood of London was inhabited largely by doctors. For reasons unknown (my research continues…) the neighborhood changed and tailors began to set up shop in the area. It wasn’t long until Savile Row became known as the suiting capital of the world, as it remains today. Relevant to our topic of working buttons holes, what happened during this transitional period in the neighborhood, was that the tailors started to build suits for the doctors with these functional buttons. Hence the namesake was born, the surgeon cuff.
And here’s something interesting about those cuff buttons: they mirror the pips, or decorative buttons, historically found on military uniforms to denote rank. There are some rumors that suggest that the buttons were originally sewn into uniforms to prevent cabin boys in the navy from wiping their noses on their jacket sleeves!
How should they be worn?
Now that you have a handle on the history, let’s talk a little about the style.
Surgeon cuffs are one of the most well known features of a high quality suit. They are truly a hallmark of custom suiting. In many of our suits, you’ll notice that we like to leave the last button unbuttoned. It’s a bit of a subtle sartorial nod to the heritage of men’s suiting. Also, we will often build our suits with a contrast thread color on the final button (or, sometimes all of the buttons!). But the takeaway is that relatively subtle bespoke details like surgeon cuffs are really just another way to let your personality shine through.
You may choose to take advantage of these features or you may not. It’s entirely up to you. Personally, I think that these working button holes are worth adding to a summer suit or seasonal sport coat because you can keep one or two buttons unbuttoned and help to ventilate your jacket a little bit more.
Finally, it’s important to remember that once the surgeon cuffs are sewn onto a jacket, the sleeve length should not be modified. If you were to change the length afterwards, then the whole proportion of the buttoned cuffs will be thrown off. Work with a skilled clothier and you’ll be in good hands.
Wrap up: what are surgeon cuffs?
So, what are surgeon cuffs? They are simply the working sleeve button holes on a men’s suit or sport coat. There’s a strong history behind them and are frequently a sign of a quality suit.
And speaking of details, here’s our article on the ticket pocket, if you’d like to learn about another fun sartorial nod to the history!
FAQs
They are simply the working sleeve button holes on a men's suit or sport coat. There's a strong history behind them and are frequently a sign of a quality suit.
What are working cuffs? ›
You must have heard about them during a conversation with a tailor or someone who's a suit-enthusiast. One line answer would be: they are functional button on suit jacket sleeves. They also called working button holes.
What are the cuffs on a suit? ›
They are called “surgeons cuffs” they are a holdover to the coat's roots as a suit coat. Originally they were quite functional.
What is the difference between kissing and non kissing buttons? ›
Non-kissing cuffs are when the buttons have visible space in between. Kissing non-stacked buttons are when the buttons are touching but not overlapping. And kissing stacked buttons are, you guessed it, buttons that are touching and overlapping.
What is the difference between kissing and waterfall buttons? ›
Kissing buttons are touching and slightly overlapping one another are known as kissing stacked buttons or 'waterfall' buttons. The charm of the stacked buttons is to imply that the buttons are ever so “imperfectly” aligned, suggesting the suit is handmade.
What is the purpose of cuffs? ›
at the wrist, or at the ankle end of a trouser leg. The function of turned-back cuffs is to protect the cloth of the garment from fraying, and, when frayed, to allow the cuffs to be readily repaired or replaced, without changing the garment.
How many types of cuffs are there? ›
There are various styles of cuffs for your shirt. The ones which we commonly see are the barrel cuffs (single or double), convertible cuffs and the French cuffs. Each differentiated by its design and level of formality with the French design being the most formal.
Do men still wear cuffs? ›
You might say, “My grandpa, my husband, my boyfriend, they all still wear cuffs,” and you're right! Cuffs never disappeared completely; however, if you go to a mall today, you go to a store, you look around yourself, chances are less than five percent of men are going to wear cuffs.
What are love cuffs? ›
Like sweetheart jewelry, Love-Cuffs were a romantic way for a man to demonstrate his attachment to a special someone. Unlike wartime sweetheart jewelry, Love-Cuffs lacked the deeper dimension of patriotism.
What does 3 kisses in a row mean? ›
Three kisses in a row is a new type of kiss that a person in love gives to the one they love. These kisses are short ones that come one after the other. If they give you these magical three kisses, one after the other, they want to make sure that you know that they love you.
A tongue kiss stimulates the partner's lips, tongue and mouth, which are sensitive to the touch and induce sexual arousal, as the oral zone is one of the principal erogenous zones of the body. The implication is of a slow, passionate kiss which is considered intimate, romantic, erotic or sexual.
Why do guys kiss with so much tongue? ›
07/8French kiss
When a man kisses you with their tongue, it means that they are head over heels for you. There is nothing that excites them anymore except for you. A French kiss is a sign of attraction and desire and if he kisses you with so much passion, he sure wants you.
What is the most intimate type of kiss? ›
One of the most passionate ways to kiss, a French kiss tops the list of kisses! An intimate and erotic move, it is surely to set your partner's mood for some romance. Start by tilting in and locking your partner's lips with yours. Remember to go with the flow, rushing through this divine moment can ruin the feel of it.
What is the best spot to kiss? ›
When it comes to kissing women, some of their favorite places are obvious, while others are frequently overlooked.
- Ears. The ears are an often-neglected area of the body that can be the site of intense pleasure for her and using your mouth is the best way to stimulate them. ...
- Back of the neck. ...
- Face. ...
- Collarbone. ...
- Hips. ...
- Breasts.
At Carlsbad Cavern, it is rare to get dripped on because only about 5% of the cavern is actively growing. But if you do get kissed by the cavern, it is said to bring 7 years of good luck!
What is the difference between a cuff and a sleeve? ›
The cuffs of a shirt or dress are the parts at the ends of the sleeves, which are thicker than the rest of the sleeve.
Why is it called a cuff? ›
cuff (n.) "bottom of a sleeve," mid-14c., cuffe "hand covering, mitten, glove," perhaps from Medieval Latin cuffia, cuphia "head covering," which is of uncertain origin, perhaps ultimately from Greek. Sense of "band around the sleeve" is first attested 1520s; sense of "turned-up hem of trousers" is by 1896.
What is a cuff in clothing? ›
A cuff, which originally referred to a mitten or glove, is the end of your shirt sleeve. Garments that are rolled up on the ends are also said to be cuffed.
What are functional buttons on a suit? ›
Have you ever heard that term used before? Simply put, functioning buttons on a suit jacket sleeve are called surgeon's cuffs. Sometimes we call them working button holes. And like so many things in menswear (e.g. the ticket pocket), there's some interesting history behind them.
![What are surgeon cuffs? [and when to wear them] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/i0.wp.com/bespokeedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170613_Bella-Vista-Styled-Shoot_275-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 "What are surgeon cuffs? [and when to wear them] (1)")
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