How much pocket square to show

We are occasionally asked, is there ever a time not to wear a pocket square? The answer to that is not really. Once you become a regular square wearer you'll find that not wearing a square is like leaving the house without your shoes. It's really a case of degrees. If you want to go for a very conservative look choose a pocket square that is only a shade or two lighter than your jacket and go for a flat fold, or something that provides just a little bit of contrast such as a grey textured pocket square below.

Tonal monochrome shades work well for pocket squares teamed with black or grey suits, for instance, while a vibrant pop of red adds interest to crisp blue suits.

A puff fold can also offer a more nonchalant approach to formal dressing than the classic flat fold. We like to keep a plain white pocket square for formal occasions, but a square that is predominately white with either a coloured edging or light pattern provides a relatively conservative look that will work in all business environments.

A well-cut suit or jacket certainly makes a strong statement about a man, but to really stand out, it's your accessories that really make all the difference. Just look at the difference the humble pocket square can add to a relatively simple jacket. Not a flamboyant colour combination or fold, but a subtle accent featuring our mustard pocket square that works perfectly in the work environment.

One question we often get asked is whether you should be matching your tie and pocket square. The short answer is no. Personally I choose this fold for patterned pocket squares accessorizing a casual-sleek outfit that is rather sophisticated than formal. Although this fold would suit formal attire, I like it most with when paired with blazer jacket or sports coat.

It looks best when used for patterned pocket squares. Most suit-wearing men have around 5 that they alternate so that one is always fresh and ready to go.

You can wear this in almost any fold, and it enhances every outfit. It will be the most versatile piece in your outfit, hands down. The key when dressing is to appear natural, as if such style came effortlessly to you. As always context is king.

But assuming the wedding is a traditional affair, a pure white silk pocket square catches the perfect balance of formality and flair.

But should you? Just make sure it actually looks good. General color theory holds that lighter tones are more casual. Think of a light grey suit vs a charcoal colored one. For example, pale skin and dark hair looks much better with strong contrasting clothes, whereas the same skin color with blonde hair looks good in weaker contrasts. This is completely up to you. The bare minimum is a single white linen pocket square, but beyond that, it all depends on your taste, style, and budget. In no way do you want a bulging breast pocket, and handkerchiefs can be significantly bigger than pocket squares, causing an unseemly bump when too big for the pocket.

So a more correct answer is yes… but size matters. Pocket squares can be ironed on the inside flat area, being careful not to iron the hand rolled edges.

To be safe use a press cloth to prevent a glossy shine from developing. Patterned fabric should be ironed on the reverse side. For deep wrinkles, gentle steam from a steam iron or steamer can be used on the reverse side before ironing. The cleaner and more structured the fold, the more formal and reserved it looks.

Note that with a particularly bold outfit, a reserved pocket square style can tone it down to a harmonious balance. Unstructured folds, on the other hand, are more casual and expressive. So, as always, context is key and you should match your pocket square to the occasion and your mood. When choosing a patch pocket jacket, know that the breast pocket tends to be smaller, and cotton or linen pocket squares will generally be too bulky.

You always want your pocket to be as flat as possible to not break up your silhouette. Pre-folded pocket squares exist, similar to pre-tied bow ties.

They consist of a perfectly folded piece of fabric, attached to a rigid card that fits in your pocket. Note, that you cannot change the style with a pre-folded pocket square. You fold a handkerchief as you would a pocket square; a clean cotton handkerchief is just as versatile as a pocket square. Know that handkerchiefs can be significantly bigger than pocket squares, and can have thicker, rougher material depending on the quality.

Both of these facts can lead to an unattractive pocket bulge, so choose your hanky well. They both favour the Presidential fold , a simple and elegant rectangular fold. If you liked this article, be sure to be notified when we put out more. Sign up below. I'm aware of Trendhim's Privacy Policy.

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Outlet Collections Articles. Neckties Pocket squares Rings Scarves Shaving. Sunglasses Suspenders Tie clips Wallets Watches. Nevertheless, feel free to fold it however you please. Weddings give you a lot of flexibility with regard to your handkerchief.

This applies to grooms, best men, groomsmen, fathers of the bride and groom, and guests. On the other hand, if the wedding is more casual, you can let some bright colours out and use a more ornate fold for added fun. You can wear either plain white or white trimmed with black or dark blue to a funeral.

Keep it to a small TV fold, and be absolutely sure to keep a second one on your person. Someone near you will be crying and will surely appreciate your offer of a handkerchief. With that said, treat a job interview as you would a funeral as it relates to handkerchiefs. Therefore, opt for a subtle white cotton square with a TV fold.

Now that you have learned how to wear a pocket square, feel free to take a look at our other pocket square pages and similar resources:. I usually wear a pocket square with sports jackets and suits.

I have a double breasted black overcoat that I wear in the winter. I like the look. I have not seen anyone else doing this on the street. Am I breaking any modern fashion rules? I also sometimes wear a pocket square with an overcoat if the style allows it. Best to just go without in that case;. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Shop Now. BryanBryan November 8, at pm - Reply. Charles-Philippe November 12, at am - Reply.

Hi Bryan, I also sometimes wear a pocket square with an overcoat if the style allows it. All the best, CP. Decinti January 17, at pm - Reply. Paul Anthony January 18, at pm - Reply. Thank you for the kind words, and glad you find our resources helpful! Cheers — Paul. Abigail Wenderson March 8, at am - Reply. Wow, all the ideas are amazing. This is really helpful. I look forward to trying this soon.