47 Ways to Wear a Pocket Square

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

 

Venice

The Basin of San Marco on Ascension Day,  1740, Canaletto

To symbolise the marriage of Venice to the sea, the Doge of Venice drops a gold ring into the Grand Canal. This is the scene depicted here in one of Canaletto’s finest paintings. The annual festival, which has taken place for more than 1000 years, symbolises Venice’s dominance of the seas during this period in history. 

View the pocket square here: Venice: The Basin of San Marco on Ascension Day.

 

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.

Canaletto Square

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.

Blue Pocket Square

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. 

Light blue pocket square

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.

Pinstripe suit and pocket square

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.

Pocket square for navy jacket

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.

Herringbone jacket and pocket square



Samson and Delilah Pocket Square

Samson & Delilah

Samson and Delilah about 1609 – 1610,Peter Paul Rubens

This pocket square depicts the gentle scene of biblical characters Samson and Delilah sharing a tender moment. There is a softness in the pose and we as an audience take on a voyeuristic role gazing at a seemingly very intimate moment, however, it is in fact a scene of ultimate betrayal.

 View the pocket square here: Samson & Delilah

 

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.

Grey jacket with pocket square

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.

Knitted tie and pocket square

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.

Red tie and pocket square

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.

Pocket square and dinner jacket   


Long Live Victoria! Pocket Square

Long Live Victoria

Long Live Victoria!, England, 1838

This pocket square is a faithful reproduction of a silk handkerchief made to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey and shows the enduring affection for the Queen.  

View the pocket square here: Long Live Victoria!

 

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. 

Navy blue striped tie and pocket square

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.

Grey tie with blue pocket square

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.

Casual jacket 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.

Matching pocket square to waistcoat


The Death of Major Peirson Pocket Square 

 The Death Of Major Peirson

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. 

Pocket square fold with jacket

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.

Winged puff fold

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

Grey jacket with red tie and 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.

Pink tie and pocket square

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. 

3 point puff fold pocket square

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.

Navy jacket with pocket square

 

The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum Pocket Square

 Destruction of Pompeii

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.

Red tie and pocket square

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.

Sports coat and pocket square

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

Double point roll fold

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

Light blue jacket and pocket handkerchief

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

Pocket square and bow tie

 

The Annunciation With Saint Emidus Pocket Square

The Annunciation

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.

Striped tie and pocket square

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.

Brown jacket and pocket square

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.

Pocket square for tuxedo

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.

Rosette tie and pocket square

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.

Pocket square for orange 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.

Pocket square for Burratti tie

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

Pocket handkerchief

  

Kingfisher Silk Pocket Square

 Kingfisher 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.

Yellow pocket square

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.

Striped tie with a pocket square

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.

Casual pocket square

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.

Blue and white tie and pocket square

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

Green tie and pocket square

 

The Battle of San Romano Pocket Square

The Battle of San Romano

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. 

Patterned tie and pocket square

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.

Textured jacket and pocket square

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

Patterned jacket and pocket handkerchief

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. 

Dark green pocket square with navy jacket


Saint George And The Dragon Pocket Square

 Saint George and the Dragon

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.

Pocket square with waistcoat

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.

Grey jacket and pocket handkerchief

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.

Prince of Wales jacket with pocket square

 

The Battle of Trafalgar Pocket Square

Battle of Trafalgar

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.

Brown jacket and pocket handkerchief

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.  

Summer jacket and pocket square

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.

Wide stripe jacket and pocket square

 
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.

 

Our Pocket Square Collections