Shopping for Pocket Squares

While pocket squares can range from 8 inches to 18 inches in size, in truth, only a fraction of your chosen design will be on show when you wear it. Therefore, if you select your pocket square based on its overall appearance rather than how it will look when folded in your jacket pocket, your finished ensemble could actually end up looking entirely different to how you originally intended. In our latest guide, we discuss some tried-and-tested techniques to help steer you through your pocket square selection process.

Firstly, it’s important to make sure that you get the basics right before you move onto more adventurous pocket square choices. A classic white pocket square in cotton or linen is a formalwear staple for any pocket square wearer, for example. Beyond that, you should look for solid colour pocket squares to bring your everyday outfits together. Blues and monochrome hues may seem like sensible cost-per-wear colour choices, but remember that the point of the pocket square is to complement the rest of your look, and not necessarily to blend into it. Consequently, you might actually get more wear out of a more daring colour choice from the yellow or red spectrum.

This brings us nicely onto our next point: try before you buy! A well-presented window display of beautifully laid out silk scarves may initially draw you into a shop to buy a pocket square, for instance, but it doesn’t actually offer any indication as to how the pocket squares will look when worn. Therefore, we recommend testing your chosen pocket square with a selection of blazers and suit jackets similar to ones you already own in order to get a feel of what works with your style and what doesn’t.

Knowing your style is even more important when buying pocket squares online. On the plus side, the pocket square’s dimensions, colour and material will be clearly outlined; allowing you to make an informed sartorial decision. However, you should also look through the website’s images of the pocket square to see how it looks when folded. You need to keep in mind the reasons why you want to buy your pocket square as well. Is it a formal or casual purchase? Are you looking to wear it every day, or are you looking for a more flamboyant, decorative pocket square? And, most importantly, does it go with the rest of your wardrobe?

Armed with this series of questions, you can now consider the fun part of shopping for a pocket square: the focal point. Remember that colour, print or material could be considered as a focal point when buying a pocket square, so there really are an endless number of jacket, accessory and pocket square combinations to make your look truly individual.

Happy shopping!

Samantha Southern
Fashion & Lifestyle Journalist