47 Ways to Wear a Pocket Square

From a subtle accent to an outfit dominating colour contrast, there are a number of ways to style a pocket square.

As we are often asked about the best ways to wear a pocket square, we thought we would create a visual guide of some of our favourite looks from images that our customers have shared with us.

See our video below for why we believe we create the world's best pocket squares. You can view our full range here: Pocket Square Collection.

 

Venice: The Basin of San Marco on Ascension Day Pocket Square

 

 

In the image below we love how the white hand rolled edge of the square complements the white shirt and the white flecked texture of this double breasted jacket.

A beautiful contrast of the texture of the jacket against the silk square in the image below, with the light blue in the square matching the shirt.

A nice use of different shades of blue with varying textures adding real interest to this outfit. The prominent fold is a variation of the Fleur De Lis. 

A lovely complementary look between the blue stripes of the shirt being picked up in the tie, square and jacket to give a very balanced look.

A nice rolled puff fold below that leaves the light blue as a secondary colour, with the dark grey's and brown's of the pocket square being the primary focus and contrasting against the pink stripes and dark blue tie.

We love this as a casual look. A brown jacket with the classic herringbone pattern, denim shirt and subtle puff fold with the secondary colour in the square mirroring the pale blue of the shirt.

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Samson and Delilah Pocket Square

 

A refined look with the sharp, well-tailored grey jacket and knitted tie. The 4 point fold gives a nice flourish to the outfit to add some interest to a more formal look.

We love the deep tones of the tie and pocket square combination in this shot. The burgundy textured tie is beautifully matched to a similar shade in the pocket square and contrasts nicely against the grey of the jacket and light blue shirt.

In the below, a similar colour combination is displayed but is contrasted against a heavily textured jacket. Again a nice combination of the subtle matching of Delilah's dress from the pocket square to the tie as a complementary colour.

Whether or not you're a fan of cigars, it's hard to argue that this is just not a very dapper looking photo. The browns and blacks of the square, complement the brown of the dinner jacket and black shawl lapel. With a dinner jacket, you want any accessories to be slightly understated to really demonstrate timeless elegance.

  

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Long Live Victoria! Pocket Square

 

A nice combination here with the navy of the tie and light pink stripes being picked up with some of the colours from the centre of the pocket square. Making sure that a good portion of the white is showing also makes the square really pop off the dark jacket. 

We like this semi-formal combination, with the grey tie, white shirt and plain blue waistcoat. Although the pocket square is quite prominent, the colours work nicely with the jacket, but the yellow accent gives it a dash of colour.

For the casual look, you can be a lot more flamboyant with your pocket square fold which will really catch the eye. In this look, the white of the shirt is accented through the jacket pattern and pocket square.

For the man that likes to mix patterns and textures, we like the skilful blending in this outfit. None of the patterns are over the top in their boldness, and the different sizes of the patterns, and textures means it comes together nicely.

The Death of Major Peirson Pocket Square 

The Death of Major Peirson, 1783, John Singleton Copley This large oil painting by American artist John Singleton Copley depicts the death of Major Francis Peirson at the Battle of Jersey on 6th January 1781. Major Peirson led an attack against the French troops, during which he was killed by a French sniper. View the pocket square here: The Death of Major Peirson

Nice use of a two-point puff fold and different textures from the heavy weight jacket fabric through to the lightly textured tie and finally the silk pocket square. 

Lightweight summer jacket and shirt combination with a variation on the winged puff fold. The prominent fold adds some interest to a casual summer look.

Nice variation on the 3 point fold, with the red tie being subtly reflected in the secondary colour in the pocket square. 

Lovely variation on a Fleur de Lis pocket square fold. The different patterns and contrasting colours, along with the prominent fold make this quite a striking look.

One of our favourite folds, the three-point puff fold it adds a lot of interest to the jacket using both the edging of the square along with all the different colour variants within the painting itself. 

For the more formal occasion, a subtle roll fold is a perfect look. Rising just over an inch above the pocket it adds a colour accent while not being too flamboyant.

 

The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum Pocket Square

The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, 1822 (restored 2011) John Martin On this pocket square, we’ve used John Martin’s oil painting of the destruction of the great cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD.  View this pocket square here: The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum

This is a very flamboyant puff fold that clearly draws the eye. The different variations in red tone provide a nice complementary look.

Another great casual look for summer with a check sports coat and polo shirt. The fan fold adds further interest with the rounded nature of the fold contrasting nicely with the check pattern of the jacket.

Nice use of a double point roll pocket square fold, while the classic navy and red combination always look good together.

Beautiful intricate fold with a variation of the 4 peaks fold with a puff. Adds interest to a simple jacket and shirt combination.

Beautifully matched combination of pocket square and bow tie. A flamboyant look that will obviously draw attention.

 

The Annunciation With Saint Emidus Pocket Square

The Annunciation, with Saint Emidius, 1486, Carlo Crivelli Set in the town of Ascoli, Italy, Crivelli has captured the day of the Annunciation in stunning detail. Crivelli’s precision with colour and composition narrates The Virgin Mary, seen on the right, seated indoors and a divine, heavenly shaft of light from above is breaking into the physical world symbolising the Annunciation. View the pocket square here: The Annunciation, With Saint Emidus

Nice muted colour combination with the tones of the blues, greys and yellows all complementing each other.

Classic matching of the small amount of green in the pocket square reflecting the green textured tie. We particularly like the colours in this outfit as perfect for an Autumn look.

Adding a pocket square with a bit of colour can really give a tuxedo a touch of flare and separate it from the classic all black/navy and white look.

A nice variation of the one point roll fold. A nice subtle matching of the blue edging of the pocket square with the blue navy jacket.

Subtle use of the pocket square as a minor accent to the jacket. With orange tones in the square reflecting a similar shade to that of the tie.

A classic look for the City with a pin stripe double-breasted suit with burratti tie and pocket square. The muted tones make it a great business look while the tie and square add texture and flair.

Lovely use of a four peak fold with a puff adding interest to a classic dark navy jacket and white shirt combination.

  

Kingfisher Silk Pocket Square

The Kingfisher Silk Pocket Square is part of our William John Swainson Collection, a 19th century British artist and naturalist. He was also the first illustrator and naturalist to adopt lithography with the monochrome lithographic prints in his books being hand coloured and it was use of this approach along with his natural talent at illustration that led to his fame. View the pocket square here: Kingfisher Pocket Square

We do like folds that incorporate both the edging and the colours of the square itself and this is a nice example of a two peak incorporating a puff fold. A nice match between the more flamboyant fold and casual shirt.

Great use of complementary colours with the yellow of the tie being mirrored in the pocket square with the secondary pale blue colour of the square reflecting the shirt colour.

For the ultimate casual look for summer, letting the square hang freely from the pocket will both catch the eye and make a bold fashion statement. The yellow lightweight summer scarf is reflected in the pocket square edging.

We like the below look for general business wear, the jacket, tie and shirt are all classic colours and patterns, while the pocket square fold is relatively understated.

The below outfit employs relatively muted colours with the pocket square fold and vibrant yellow providing a touch of flair.

 

The Battle of San Romano Pocket Square

The Battle of San Romano, about 1438-40, Paolo Uccello This brilliantly structured and colourful painting depicts part of the battle of San Romano that was fought between Florence and Siena in 1432. The central figure is Niccolò da Mauruzi da Tolentino on his white charger, the leader of the victorious Florentine forces, who is identifiable by the motif of 'Knot of Solomon' on his banner. View the pocket square here: The Battle of San Romano

Nice use of different shades of browns and yellows with the secondary colours of the tie and pocket square matching and complementing the jacket for a coordinated look. 

We like the way the tones of the below combination work together, little touches of colour matching but overall it's the more muted colours which make it a really nice look.

Another nice casual pairing with the gingham patterned jacket and polo shirt with a slight variation on the four mountains fold.

Denim shirts, worn with a jacket and tie is becoming an increasingly popular look, and the dark greens in the square with the secondary browns work brilliantly here with the burgundy tie and navy tones of the jacket and shirt. 

Saint George And The Dragon Pocket Square

Saint George and the Dragon, about 1555, Jacopo Tintoretto Saint George is seen here about to defeat the dragon by the edge of the sea. The treatment of the subject is unusual, with the figure of the fleeing princess dominant, and in the centre lies a corpse which the dragon was about to eat. View the pocket square here: Saint George and the Dragon

Beautiful use of colour in the outfit below, combining the base colours of navy and white with vibrant oranges, reds and blues.

What we like about the below is the pale yellows in the pocket square give an extra pop of colour to grey and white pinstriped jacket and contrasts nicely with the red tie.

Nice use of multiple patterns, with a classic Prince of Wales check jacket, paired with a striped shirt and patterned pocket square. The key with pattern matching is to ensure that the patterns are varying sizes or shapes.

 

The Battle of Trafalgar Pocket Square

The Battle of Trafalgar, as Seen from the Mizen Starboard Shrouds of the Victory, 1806–8, Joseph Mallord William Turner This painting represents the moment Nelson was hit with the final shot at The Battle of Trafalgar. You can see him lying left of centre and if you draw your eye towards the top right you see the smoking gun of the French marksman high in the rigging of his ship. View this pocket square here: The Battle of Trafalgar

Lovely matching of different shades of brown in this outfit with seven or eight different shades and then contrasted against the pale blue shirt. The 3 peak fold with a puff also provides an extravagant finish.

Nice use of light summer colours with the lightweight summer jacket, casual white shirt and pocket square utilising the yellow in the square with just a touch of dark brown for contrast.  

Another classic summer look with a bold white and navy striped jacket paired with a casual white shirt and a very flamboyant fold. Definitely a striking look.

 
Conclusion 

As has been demonstrated above, there are myriad ways to style a pocket square. The key rules to follow are to never directly match the colours of your pocket square and tie and the same applies to not directly matching the same patterns. 

Other than that, the pocket square allows you to really display your individual style and can be adapted to the occasion with subtle folds for more formal events to flamboyant folds for more casual occasions.

All the squares shown above can be found in our store here: Pocket Squares 

Be sure to check out our latest YouTube video series on how to create the perfect pocket square.

 

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