Men's Fashion & Style Accessories, Pocket Square
Don't be Caught in a Naked Suit, Bereft of the Handkerchief!
Nov 21, 2008
The pocket square has a long history in menswear and last saw its greatest period of style success during the 1980's, a more liberal fashion decade than the rather glum and dull years that might follow – and it is proud to return to the winner's circle once again as a must-have accessory for men who often wear blazers or suits.
Why Wear a Pocket Square?
The pocket square is one of the neatest and most personal contributions one can make to their outfit – the squares come in a mind-boggling array of finishes, patterns, colours, and fabrics. Silk and cotton squares are most common, silk being the best choice for more formal affairs while cotton is preferable worn with denim or a more casual approach to the course of the day.
One of the best reasons to don a pocket square is because, above nearly all else, it is a distinguishing mark, a statement that strongly suggests your commitment to style, image, and look. While legions of others merely wear a suit or blazer out of employment obligation or simply for a trend – the pocket square signifies a discerning level of care as well as a more liberal and laissez-faire attitude toward fashion itself. A properly paired pocketsquare can make an outfit shine, where it may have blended into the crowd before. Combine this amazing visual and style impact with an extremely affordable and collectable product – it is clear that the pocket square is a solid investment.
Some Ideas and Looks for Intrepid Square Wearers
A cotton square, neatly folded in a style similar to the “press fold” - works very well in any shade of white, tan, or blue when worn with a navy blazer, sportshirt, and denim jeans. One thing to keep in mind is that if the shirt is striped, it would be wise to keep the patterning on the accompanying square to a minimum – too much visual competition is a deal-breaker in this realm. Remember to pair complimentary shades and to consider accent colours when choosing your respective shirt and square – as these are the items most likely to clash.
An example of this look might be a light-wash blue jean with a slight tan tinting, slightly distressed, paired with a faintly pinstriped navy blazer. On top, a very light baby blue, tonal striped dress or sportshirt – finished with a check-patterned white and tan cotton pocket square.
For more formal occasions, one can nearly never miss with a white silk pocket square, or any square that is a complimentary colour to ones shirt or necktie. Further, many prints such as paisley and floral are making substantial gains – designers such as Etro pushing these designs very hard in the upcoming season.
If you would like to know more about simple or advanced ways to fold a pocket square, please click here.
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