Pochette Square, launched just two months ago, offers a good range of handkerchiefs at decent prices (€25-€45). While the ‘trendy’ half of the collection is unlikely to appeal to anyone reading this blog, the ‘chic’ side has a good range of basics in silk and linen mixes with some original patterns thrown in.
Having seen a few of them, I can speak to the quality of the materials. The linen and linen/cotton mix both have a good handle. The silk, though, is perhaps not the best: the printing loses something in the detail.
There is similar variety in the construction. The ‘Thin White Line’ model that I saw had hand-rolled edges – the minimum you would demand in a high-quality handkerchief – while ‘Purple Rain’ did not. It was a good machine imitation of hand rolling, with the same swelled-edge effect, but it was not made entirely by hand. I am told that this is reflected in the price – the former is €45 and the latter €30.
It is also fair to say that the size is not ideal. They measure 13 inches to a side, where the best hanks would be 16 or 17 inches. Helps them stand up in the pocket.
So a welcome and original entrant to the market (did you see the rabbit tail one? Apparently it’s the best seller) but with variable quality.
I wonder why place such as Simmonot Goddard, Turnbull and Asser and those, don’t put their pocket square for sale online?
even Hermes and Drake’s have a very small selection on their online shop. Drake’s does this very annoying thing which you have to buy 4 pocket squares all from the same pattern at the same time. I always wonder who would ever do that.
I have a fairly large selection of pocket squares. When it comes to silk. Etro is probably the best you can get. Their designs are wonderful and also the main trick with good silk printing is that, you should be able to see the print almost equally as well from the both sides, something lacks from most of the Savile Row brand’s pocket squares such as Gives and Hawkes and Ede and Ravenscroft, etc.
I agree Kayhan, Etro silks and designs are wonderful. If possibly overpriced (I believe they are around £50 now).
The reason SG, T&A and the rest don’t sell much online is that this has never been their business model, and old, craft-based brands are usually the most conservative. Hermes doesn’t sell much either really.
I’m guessing these aren’t the kind of handkerchiefs one would blow one’s nose on? does anyone still make those?
Yes, how are these silks printed? Hand printing creates deep impressions that still look good on the reverse, while cheaper, laser-printed silks only have nice facings.
No, these are for show, not blog. But yes, lots of people make handkerchiefs for such purposes. Just get cotton rather than silk or linen. Try M&S in the UK.
The silks are laser printed I believe.
It could be interesting a comparison between english style and colors and made in italy ones…
I can recommend pochette-square. Their silk handkerchiefs are very impressive – although I agree with you about the size: they offer the traditional European size squares where as I we in the UK (and the USA) prefer a much more substantial size. Their packaging is impressive and occasionally they will have 40% off sales (that’s the time to buy).