The Pocket Square.

Let’s face it, pocket squares are nothing new.  If you’ve followed the site you also know that I’m a firm believer that a man in a suit with no pocket square is just not totally dressed (I will be the first to admit that I have photographed what I consider to be exceptions).  I’m not going to go on about the sin of matching tie and pocket square instead I wanted to point out where style comes into play as opposed to fashion with the pocket square.

Before commencing I wanted to point out why the pocket square is a must.  The main reason is that it breaks the consistency of the suit.  The little added material changes without question the canvas called the blazer.  Without the pocket square you have a pocket that simply begs to be useful.   Having said that, the question is not do you wear a pocket square, but instead how do you wear a pocket square to fit your style?

There are 3 main ways to wear a pocket square: corners out (photo to the far left), corners in (middle), squared (far right).

Note: Don’t believe that it doesn’t matter how you wear your pocket square.  Like anything else it should be a reflection of your style… your person.

Corners out usually fits the classic chap with an edge.  It has a rebellious side yet is still whispers “I am classic”.  Mind you I’m not referring to having the corners symmetrical where the pocket square looks like a jagged set of mountains. (^^^^). That’s trying way too hard and I have yet to find a chap who pulls it off without it looking too forced.

Corners in screams “I know I have to have this, but I’ll do it on my terms!”  If it’s like the chap in the center photo it’s saying I’m comfortable, I know the rules, I can bend them and do it with my personal touch. Usually this is the choice of the hipster type.

The squared pocket square is classic, very clean.  This works for a formal look and can still be dressed down.  The squared pocket always looks great with a solid blazer, this is the look you’ll most often find in the likes of GQ.

Now let’s get down to the style part.

Picking the way to wear the pocket square is no different than picking out a style that works for the individual. The pocket square can be a great indicator when it comes to style, if it fits the personality it says volumes… if it doesn’t fit the personality, it screams volumes and can be visually offensive.