A pocket square is a subtle yet stylish addition to any suit, sport coat, or other formal jacket. That doesn’t mean you can just stick any square of fabric into the pocket of your jacket, though. Carefully choosing, folding, and displaying your pocket square is the key to elevating your outfit and creating a look you feel good about. Use these tips for wearing a pocket square the correct way to boost your confidence and create a sharp, snazzy outfit for any occasion.
It makes sense to coordinate your pocket square with the rest of your outfit. However, coordinate doesn’t always mean match. If your pocket square matches your tie color perfectly, you’ll end up with a flat, boring look that leaves little room for character or personality. Don’t be afraid to get creative and play with color combinations. Choose color pairings that look good together—like the analogous colors of blue and purple or the triadic colors of blue and red—to pick a pocket square that complements your tie.
As with many fashion rules, the key to wearing a pocket square the correct way is to create a visually appealing contrast with the rest of your outfit. This is why you don’t want to match your tie perfectly—it doesn’t give enough contrast.
But color isn’t the only way to create contrast; you also want to pay attention to texture, or in this case, the fabric. Pocket squares come in a wide variety of fabrics, with silk and cotton being among the most common. Try to contrast the fabric of your pocket square with the fabric of your jacket. Heavier suits with rougher fabrics such as tweed will look nice with a fine silk pocket square or a similar fabric feeling like polyester or microfiber. Meanwhile, a finer suit fabric like worsted wool, silk, or cashmere will go well with cotton, linen, or wool pocket squares.
Now that you know how to match your pocket square to your outfit, it’s time to think about matching it to the occasion. The last thing you want is to show up to a formal occasion with an overly casual pocket square fold.
As a general rule, fewer points or less volume in your fold means a more serious and formal look. That’s why you can’t go wrong with a classic flat fold, which creates a subtle, straight line of fabric just above your pocket. You can also class it up with a one- or two-point fold. However, for more casual or lighthearted affairs, don’t be afraid to experiment with more points, a voluminous puff fold, or artsy options like a rose fold.
Are you looking for a classy pocket square to add some flair to your outfit? Find pocket squares and other accessories at DAZI’s online tie store. Explore a stylish range of colors and patterns when you visit us today.
