Video: How to wear a pocket handkerchief
Wednesday, June 6th 2018Tags:
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This was a nice opportunity to do a practical video, and express a forthright opinion.
Videos on folding pocket squares and handkerchiefs are normally so terrible. Guys in black suits using fiddly folds to wear yellow-satin hanks.
Hopefully this offers some balance. Stuff it, but do so methodically.
Thank you to everyone at Budd Shirtmakers for hosting us.
I am wearing:
- Cashmere jacket from Richard James
- Button-down shirt from Luca Avitabile
- Cashmere vest from N.Peal
- Handkerchiefs from Budd Shirtmakers
Great video. By the way, lovely jacket. Pocket square aside, how do you find the N Peal knit fits? Are they fairly slim?
No, pretty classic.
Hi Simon,
Thanks for posting this video on how to fold handkerchiefs. Very very well made! The best I’ve ever seen on this topic!
John
Nice to hear, cheers John
Nice video. I tend to think wearing a pocket square in this day in age immediately makes you look dandy-ish, so I don’t wear them myself. But nevertheless a helpful tutorial.
Thanks Dan. I know what you mean. I find I wear them less with a tie these days, and more just on their own as a tie substitute. And they’re pretty sober.
But I’m aware any hank or tie in some offices would be showy
Thanks as always Simon. I’m curious if you ever worry about your jacket looking “overstuffed,” i.e. the jacket surface below the pocket opening itself bulging, when using larger pocket squares. While 16″ seems to be the standard, I’ve started seeing 18″ and larger. Obviously pocket depth plays a large role in this. Is that a feature you think about when commissioning a piece?
Good point Robert. No I don’t really. I think all my silks and wool/silks are 16, and linens or cottons usually smaller.
It’s rare that I feel this makes the pocket bulge – it only seems to happen on those small Neapolitan patch pockets that I mention.
You can of course go for a flatter fold rather than a stuff, to minimise that effect.
Lovely video Simon.
As I’m now well into bus pass years, I’ve given up on convention.
There is a seamstress I’ve got to know over the years (who is approaching her 90’s) who makes my pocket squares. 12″ square Irish linen, hand rolled and stitched edges. Always white.
Stuffed into the pocket of one on my bespoke mid or darkish blue blazers, white or very pale blue OCBD, smashed up 501’s, snuff or espresso loafers, then off to the pub.
Doesn’t get any better.
Nice
fuckin’ legend
Hi Nick,
would it be possible to get my hands on of these pocket squares?
Best regards, Jens
Hi Nik,
is there a chance to get one of these white linen pocket squares?
Best regards, Jens
Nice video, great tips for those of us who rarely wear a tie but enjoy a bit of “pop” while wearing a jacket.
Great video, thanks! A question: do you remove the tags on the pocket square? I.e. Drakes pocket squares have a tag that I always struggle in trying to conceal and find annoying, but I’m afraid of ruining the stitching if I remove it.
I usually do, yes. A stitch picker is usually the best way to do it
Check, kind of obvious once I took a closer look at how the tag is fastened. Thanks for the tip!
In a similar vein, do you have a particular view on companies (eg Drakes) including their branding/logo ontop of a design? I accept its normally colour matched to the pattern but its also placed where its highly likely to be visible
Excellent video. It would be useful to group these guides for ease of location, perhaps on the Categories page.
Thanks, yes we plan to. So many things to organise!
Wonderful video.
Personally, I always wear a pocket handkerchief, tie or no tie, and I’m proud to do so.
As in many things sartorial, I always look to HRH Prince Charles, who wears a wonderfull handkerchief. An inspiration to all.
Personally, and I think this is personal, I would never wear a pocket handkerchief with a patch pocket, I honestly don’t know why, but I wouldn’t.
Wonderful stuff again, thank you Simon.
Really interesting point on patch. Never thought about it…
Very clear and well-shot demo. Many thanks!
Bravo Simon!
These video series are well executed and filling much needed gaps online.
Thank you Nicolas
You were either on a train in the Chicago subway near Monroe or your Doppelganger was.
Doppelganger unfortunately. He does get around though
Excellent video, perfect pacing and loved it.
Excellent video. For some unknown reason I have never attempted a pocket square, this has inspired me to give one a go. Whats the most versatile colourway to try – I’m thinking navy with a small white polka dot perhaps?
That would be nice, yes, although personally I think a white linen or fine cotton is the most versatile
Ah – of course – and I have one of those! Thanks Simon
Simon,
Congratulations on a fabulous video.
A quick question. My mentor and style guru, Jason King, always sported a pocket handkerchief with the ‘Puff’ fold only, it was larger. He used to refer to it as ‘The Big Puff’ and I was wondering if it is a completely different fold or, if he just left more hanging out ?
That is the puff that I refer to trying to avoid, I’m afraid
In my 30s I always aimed for John Steed but ended up Jason King
Your best video yet Simon. Technically very good with great use of incidental music. Only feedback is you could be in it a smidgen more (less close ups of hand shots and more medium close ups). Nonetheless, kudos to you and your production team.
Great video, thank you. However, the “music” was so distracting it was hard to concentrate on your instructions and it was so loud that it was difficult to hear your words.
Superb video Simon, love the thorough walk though that doesn’t get too long. Keep them coming!
Great video. Did you ever do a video of what you used to call the “lazy fold”? A quick perusal on your site suggested you had planned to do a video, but I don’t see it. Or did I simply miss it? [I am occasionally prone to missing the VERY obvious when it comes to videos…just a personal quirk, but such media always turns me into a bit of a zombie.]
Ha! I know what you mean.
There is a demonstration in the video of the lazy Fold – it’s the one where I’m stuffing in one corner and then stuffing the other behind it…
Very easy to follow and clearly explain how to do. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Simon! You always give one an extra boost of confidence with your inputs when dressing (up) for any and all occasions. This means loads, particularly when trying to wear tricky accessories such as pocket squares! Makes one feel really at ease in one’s clothing. Best wishes and cheers again for your guidance, Andy
A handkerchief is essential for men, most especially in a suit. This is a very helpful video to teach not only men but to women as well to properly place the handkerchief in a suit.
Hi Simon,
I am about to purchase my first proper pocket square. I want it to be white, because it is so versatile. However, I cannot decide between silk, cotton, or linen. What would you suggest?
Best
Thanks for the question Lars. A white linen handkerchief is usually going to be the most versatile and useful. Silk is a little old-fashioned and can seem quite showy. Cotton is a little cheap and doesn’t have the crisp elegance of linen. And linen can be both very subtle (a simple square fold) or quite dandy (big points). So it can be worn several ways.
Hello, Simon. I have a how-to question on handkerchiefs – but how to clean them. I’ve had my lovely Simonnot Godard linen-cotton hank in white with blue lining stained by ink from my fountain pen! To make it worse, seems it’s the ‘archival quality’ ink, i.e. the more permanent kind. Any tips on how to clean that? Bleach? Thanks!
Oh dear. No, sorry Stephan. I can only suggest looking online for stain-cleaning solutions, or asking your dry cleaner.