Secrets of Style – How to Fold a Pocket Square

Quick, Easy Tips on Adding an Edge to Your Wardrobe

Nov 21, 2008

The pocket square is an accessory that many men go without - concerned it may be too foppish. Cast such worries aside, for the pocket square is an essential.

While poring over the long wooden and glass tables or fixtures at the local men's outfitter, one will almost certainly encounter a section of pocket squares or “puffs”, silk or cotton squares of fabric that men place in the breast pocket of a blazer or suit jacket in order to spice up or compliment a more conservative look. The most common question facing menswear associates regarding this staple accessories often deals with the methods of presenting the pocketsquare – a myriad of acceptable methods being the correct answer. For the purposes of brevity the two most popular methods are provided for up-and-coming style icons.

The Easy, Relaxed Method

For silken squares, this is ultimately very simple. With the left hand, form a ring with thumb and forefinger. Place the pocketsquare over the hand , with the shiny side facing downwards. Push the fabric through the ring – then grasp the protruding silk. Holding on to this tip, place the corners downward into the breast pocket until merely an inch or show is showing above the pocket. This should look somewhat rumpled, furled, and without sharp edges. It is an easy, conservative, utilitarian use for a silk pocketsquare this is commonly held to be acceptable in all functions.

For cotton squares, the process is even simpler. Lay the square on a table, facing downwards. Fold the square in half, and again. Finally, fold one edge of the square over until it will fit – snugly – into the pocket. This should leave a neat, horizontal slash of colour and pattern extending between a half inch and an inch above the top of the jacket pocket. Often-times, this fold is referred to as a “press fold”.

The Showboat, or More Difficult Path

Compared to many other folds, this is easily the most impressive and will show true detail when it comes to refinement and formality – working much more elegantly with a silken square than a cotton one.

Begin by placing the square, face down, on a table. The objective of this fold is to create and layer points, it will be less confusing if one continually holds this goal in mind. Simply fold all four corners into the exact center of the square as it lies. By doing this, one eliminates the creased edges, shown in the next step. Grasping two points of the same edge, fold the square in half so that it now appears rectangular, then fold it in half again so that it is once again a square.

The square should now exhibit two points on each corner – with one corner showing crease. Pinch the two corners (and by extension, four points) that are not showing any crease and are diagonally opposite and bring them together – one should now find that the square is exhibiting four points, folded one overtop of the other in a very organic and comely fashion.

It may take several frustrating attempts to perfect this fold, however it is without a doubt one of the most visually and stylistically impressive folds for handkerchiefs and will certainly show flair and complete confidence in one's appearance.

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