Perhaps the humble cufflinks will be the first thing to successfully cross over the gender barrier in the realm of corporate power-dressing, after pants.
Ties tried to do it, unsuccessfully. There was a sense of it being so wrong for a woman to wear something that looks so much like a male reproductive organ. Also, the fact that having a noose tied around our necks did not appeal to most of us who already have to bear with vericose veins and bad backs due to those heels. [Update: Thanks to Chumins for this link on the origins of ties.]
I've noticed a couple of women around town sporting french cuffs on their crisp white shirts (interesting to note that these women also appear 'scary' to their male counterparts). I truly believe that cufflinks could be a big hit with the women, if only there were enough ladies' shirts around with the appropriate cuffs, mainly because those things are so pretty. But there are social barriers that cufflinks and cufflink-lovers have to overcome. The last time I went out shopping for a pair, my girlfriends were horrified at the thought that I was 'turning into a man'.
I was given my very first set of cufflinks from Raoul yesterday. It wasn't my first choice, I wanted something that seriously looked like a part that came off a bicycle. I was informed that those things are only appropriate for the workman's blue shirts, which most women would find too manly. So I had to make do with a dainty Cartier-ish pair, which like most good things in life, takes a while to grow on you.
Now all I have to do is find a ladies' shirt with french cuffs - a mean feat in itself in a city like KL. Penny told me that she got one from Zang Toi. Personally, I prefer the shirts at Benetton [by the way, I strongly recommend that you pay a visit to Colors Magazine, another wonderful byproduct of Benetton], nice cuts, nice material - but no french cuffs. Last resort, get a shirt at Raoul and alter. Ah... the things I have to ponder over...
Posted by Najah Nasseri at 2003年07月06日 17:33 | TrackBackAh ... it seems you are slowly evolving. Careful you may end up a "Suit". Nice ... powerful motif, yet feminine.
Posted by: fische at 2003年07月06日 19:16Well said, darling.
"Ties tried to do it, unsuccessfully. There was a sense of it being so wrong for a woman to wear something that looks so much like a male reproductive organ. Also, the fact that having a noose tied around our necks did not appeal to most of us who already have to bear with vericose veins and bad backs due to those heels."
Posted by: graceshu at 2003年07月06日 20:39I'd be really worried if my reproductive organ looked like a tie. Are you sure? Somebody has either a rather severe problem or has just been severely insulted.
Posted by: dan at 2003年07月07日 15:50It does symbolically resemble the male reproductive organ. Anyway, won't argue about the accuracy of the symbol, but I once read somewhere that there was a link between the two. Perhaps someone can enlighten us on the origins of the humble tie?
Posted by: Najah at 2003年07月07日 16:26The Necktie - A Phallic Symbol
http://www.centurionministry.org/body/necktie.htm
Posted by: chumins at 2003年07月07日 16:41helluu. just wana say hi.. n i think women wearing loose tie is sexy.. think avril lasagne.. oops lavigne...uhh wateva
Posted by: faren at 2003年07月07日 19:28Oooh! LOVE cufflinks! You can get cuffed shirts from Magnus Quest. They've got a store in Bangsar... opposite La Bodega. Reasonable pricing. Nice nice crisp white shirts.
Posted by: Belina at 2003年07月22日 11:04But both cuff links and ties look great on ladies
Look at Julia Roberts in Notting Hill
Posted by: Allan at 2003年10月15日 00:17Hi,
I'm all the way over in England! Came across your site on my desperate search on the internet for a women's cufflink shirt! Why oh why with so many women wanting these simple things such as a shirt with the right cuffs does no one make them? I've found a shirt in Dorothy perkins over here but is avile shade of purple. I only want a plain black one. Oh well the quest goes on. Good site by the way.
Marion in England
Posted by: Marion at 2004年02月25日 08:55Marion, Zara makes very nicely-cut black ones. Perfect french cuffs.
Posted by: pickyin at 2004年02月25日 09:21Marion, I have one from Benetton - black. Other possible sources: Marks & Spencers (but I've only seen them in white here).
Posted by: Najah at 2004年02月25日 15:53Came across this looking for insight on women wearing cufflinks...I stumbled across a white button down shirt at Filene's Basement in Boston which was a shirt from Express that nobody had purchased (likely for lack of knowing how to use french cuffs)...its great except that I think the cuffs force the sleeves to be TOO short which is a bit of a problem...good luck to you!
Posted by: Kristen at 2004年06月16日 04:33Came across this looking for insight on women wearing cufflinks...I stumbled across a white button down shirt at Filene's Basement in Boston which was a shirt from Express that nobody had purchased (likely for lack of knowing how to use french cuffs)...its great except that I think the cuffs force the sleeves to be TOO short which is a bit of a problem...good luck to you!
Posted by: Kristen at 2004年06月16日 04:33