This really comes down to the circumstances in which you wear them and your own personal style. I switched jobs at the start of the year and invested quite a lot in a corporate-suitable wardrobe, but even having done that I can't pull off cuff links for every day business wear. I look like a twat trying to dress beyond my years. For formal occasions though, I have two tailored white shirts with french cuffs, so I picked up three sets of cuff links to match those and they look quite good. I have a few 'rules' for when I wear them though. Firstly, if I'm not wearing a jacket or blazer and a watch, no cuff links. Ever. Secondly, they should be understated and complimentary to your watch, belt buckle and the buttons on your jacket. If you wear a wedding ring or any other jewelry, make sure they match the cuff links too. Nothing looks worse than a mix of metals. Thirdly, I steer clear of themed or coloured ones because they're hard to match and can look a little tacky. If you do go down a themed path though, opt for something personal to you. I have a
plain silver set with a celtic knot that I wear to family events, and they work because they're not lavish and reflect my heritage. Your footy club logo doesn't need to be on your wrist, for example.
Many people with a better idea would probably perceive the above as leading to boring choices, but I find it hard to go wrong with a plain silver set like
these or a brushed silver set like
these. An understated and complimentary look is classy, at least to me. Don't go too extravagant and make sure they match and it's hard to look silly.