Let me start by sharing my opinion on the pocket square, and then we’ll move on to the rules for choosing it and its history.
My Opinion on the Pocket Square
First off, I can’t imagine my jacket without a pocket square – it’s a must-have accessory that accentuates your individuality.
Michael Anton, an authoritative figure in men’s style, writes: “A man without a pocket square isn’t just underdressed – he can’t even be called well-dressed.”
I really like to coordinate the color of the pocket square with my jacket. For example, if I’m wearing a double-breasted dark blue jacket with cream trousers and loafers, I’ll choose a deep dark brown color that complements the outfit. A pocket square is not an accessory you can skip, like a bracelet or a tie. For me, it’s the most important accessory that should always accompany a jacket.
Let's Talk a Bit About the History of the Pocket Square
As always, it all started in England. Initially, the pocket square was carried in the pockets of trousers and used to wipe the nose after sniffing tobacco. However, expensive silk quickly deteriorated when kept in pockets – it would get dirty or damaged by keys or other items. After that, people started putting the pocket square into the breast pocket of the jacket, giving it the title of the main accessory for jackets and suits. Some may like the story that the pocket square is meant for wiping a lady’s tears, but if we give a white silk pocket square to a lady to wipe her tears, and she uses cosmetics like mascara and foundation before a date, imagine what would happen to the pocket square. I would gladly share my pocket square with a lady without thinking twice, don’t think anything extra. But hardly does a pocket square primarily serve that function.
How to Choose a Pocket Square
– The first and most important rule – never buy a pocket square in a set with a tie made of the same material and with the same prints. It’s a very crude mistake that should be avoided.
– Material. A pocket square should be made exclusively from natural materials. No synthetic additives. This will ruin your look, and a knowledgeable person will definitely notice.
– The pocket square should be of the right size. When I gathered information, I saw standard sizes for pocket squares ranging from 30-34 centimeters. Some sources stated precisely 30 by 32 centimeters. It shouldn’t be square but slightly longer by 2 centimeters.
– When buying a pocket square, think about the colors of the items in your wardrobe, such as jackets, shirts, trousers, and suits. Imagine if they will coordinate well with each other, and if you like it, you can confidently purchase it.
– Remember, if you buy a pocket square that’s too small, it will always sink into the pocket, and if it’s too big, it will stick out and disrupt the balance of lines and the fit of the jacket on the chest.
How to Wear and Fold a Pocket Square
– Don’t use any additional materials like cardboard to fold it into the breast pocket of the jacket.
– It’s not worth carrying a pocket square in the coat pocket. If you want to emphasize something there, put in some nice gloves or a hat. No more.
– Fold the pocket square smoothly and naturally. There are no strict rules on how to fold it, and if you do something wrong, many will think it’s bad. Don’t worry about it.
– The pocket square should not hang out of the pocket or stick out too much. A strip of 1.5-2 centimeters is enough.
I have a particularly warm relationship with pocket squares. When I was learning to sew, I specifically studied how to make them, and a long time ago, I sewed a large number of good-sized pocket squares from amazing materials for myself. I made them by hand and then gave them as gifts to my clients. It was a useful form of meditation for me, and I still use them and will continue to use them for a very long time.
Fact in the Spotlight
Silk. People have been raising silkworms for at least since the 3rd century BC. Chinese were the pioneers in this. For a long time, Chinese silk was considered one of the best, noblest, and most expensive materials in the world.
Quote of the Week
When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy person.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.
John Lennon
That’s all for today. See you on Saturday next week!
Yours sincerely, Anton Masko
