How to wear cuff

From Cleopatra to Coco Chanel, ancient Greece to India, the cuff has formed part of a suite of jewellery through the ages that denotes wealth and taste. Now the cuff is an accessible expression of style.

Why you need it now

The cuff has surfaced as part of the ugg boots uk female urban-warrior armour, adding a glint of raw glamour to your look. In metallic bands, studded leather, heavily bejewelled pieces or rough-hewn resin, the cuff offers a lot of bang for a little accessory.

House of Harlow 1960 Peacock cuff, $289, miijo.com.

House of Harlow 1960 Peacock cuff, $289, miijo.com.

What to look for

The single statement cuff goes big. Peter Lang gets tough with leather, Givenchy’s chunky metallic cuffs are fierce and the Hermes enamel cuff is a lasting classic. Slick silver cuffs look futuristic and hammered styles have a folksy feel. Gold filigree cuffs are exotic and thick cuffs encrusted with crystal give your evening extra shimmer. Go bold with colourful chunky resin. Celeb designers are in on the act, too. Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow 1960 has a gilt-edged black-leather sunburst cuff and the intricate peacock cuff for a retro feel. You can also unearth model Erin Wasson’s Aztec-inspired true religion jeans on sale cuffs for her LowLuv label. Single, stacked or high up on the arm, the cuff adds a moody edge.

Style to suit you

Petite frames suit smaller cuffs with cut-away or filigree detail. Anything too chunky swamps your delicate wrist so go for detail rather than size.

Medium frames can look to combine a thicker cuff with thinner bangles and bracelets that reflect personal style. Leave the opposite arm bare or you risk looking like a street vendor.

Bigger frames can carry off a chunky piece. Whether in a metallic sheen or a blast of colour, wear it big.

Long and lean frames can stack cuffs up the arm. Mix it up with different materials and leave all other jewellery at home.

Where to shop

Tiffany & Co has the ultimate liquid-looking tiffany jewelry silver cuff, Bunda’s range is chic, Samantha Wills’s jewel-encrusted cuffs are exotic, Kirstin Ash’s cuffs have a vintage feel and Designs by Natalia has marbled colours (love its button bangle, too). Dinosaur Designs has every colour imaginable and Diva or Equip are good for an affordable bit of fun.

Five more ways to wear

Weekender = C with simple tee, cropped jacket and boyfriend jeans.

Urban flair = C with day dress, black tights and ankle boots.

Ladylike = C with tailored pants, soft blouse and pumps.

Workwear = C with collared shirt, belted cardigan, straight skirt and kitten heels.

Evening glam = C with embellished tank top, skinny pants and killer heels.