Pocket Square Guidelines

Don’t leave your suit naked. Trent Bridges refers to suits without pocket squares as “naked suits.” He argues that a suit just doesn’t look complete without one. I agree. The addition of a pocket square adds some finishing panache to a good suit. So, the first guideline of pocket square usage is to always wear one when you wear a suit or sport coat. It just looks better.

Color coordinating. A pocket square can be patterned or solid. The general guideline is that your pocket square color should compliment some color on your tie. So, if your tie has a bit of red, rock a solid red pocket square or a patterned pocket square with some red in it. However, avoid matching the colors exactly. It looks like you’re trying too hard (so never ever buy a tie/pocket square set at your local department store). A white pocket square can be worn with any color tie, making this color handkerchief an essential part of every man’s collection.
How to fold a pocket square

You have several options on how to fold your pocket square. Some are super simple and others are complex. It all comes down to personal taste. In this post, we’ll discuss three simple folds that every man should master.

How to fold the straight fold


This is the easiest way to fold a pocket handkerchief.
Fold your pocket handkerchief in half twice so it forms a square diamond.
Then fold in half again, top point to bottom point, so it forms a triangle.
Next fold in the two long opposite points of the triangle (Keeping the upper edge (hypotenuse) aligned)
Then tuck the pointed end into your jacket pocket so only the straight edge shows.

How to fold the one-point pocket handkerchief


This is a variation of the pocket square above.
Fold your pocket handkerchief in half twice so it forms a square diamond.
Then fold in half again, top point to bottom point, so it forms a triangle.
Next fold in the two long opposite points of the triangle (Keeping the upper edge (hypotenuse) aligned)
Then tuck the straight edge into your jacket pocket so only the point of the triangle shows.

How to fold the two-point pocket handkerchief


Fold your pocket handkerchief down so that it forms a four and one-half inch square as above. However, when making the final fold, ensure the point overlaps the top points to form what looks like two mountain peaks sitting side by side. Then fold the bottom point halfway up the handkerchief, and fold the two points in on either side. Tuck this straight end into your pocket.

How to fold the puff pocket handkerchief
 

Fold your pocket handkerchief in half twice and lie it on the surface. Next, pinch in the middle of the square and lift up. Tuck the excess fabric into your jacket pocket and leave the pointed edge showing.

How to fold the reverse puff pocket handkerchief


Other Methods:

The Straight Fold


The Straight Fold is the most simple of the pocket square folds. What you’ll end up with is a small rectangle peeking out of your suit pocket. Here’s one way how to fold it:

Lay your pocket square flat.
Bring the left side to right side
Bring the bottom towards the top, but don’t fold it all the way.
Fold the fabric in thirds horizontally so that it will fit your suit pocket.
Fold the bottom up to the top, but don’t fold it all the way(same as before).
Place in pocket with thin end (top) up.

The One Point Fold


With the one point fold, you’ll have a small peak of fabric coming out your pocket. This one is probably my favorite of the three. Here’s how to fold it:

Lay your pocket square on a flat surface, with one corner facing up and one corner facing down so it looks like you have a baseball diamond in front of you.
Bring the bottom point to the top point so that you create a triangle.
Bring the left corner of the triangle to the right corner, and the right corner to the left corner. You should end up with a long rectangle with a point at the top. It looks sort of like a fence slat.
Fold the bottom towards the top, but not all the way.
Place it in your suit. Adjust until you get the desired amount of point coming out of the pocket.

Two Point Fold


Lay your pocket square flat with one corner facing up and one corner facing down.
Fold the bottom corner up and just to the left of the top corner.
Fold the left side in towards the right.
Fold the right side in towards the left.
Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

The Three Point Fold

Lay the pocket square flat so it resembles a diamond.

Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner.
Fold the left corner up to the right of the top point, making a second peak.
Fold the right corner up to the left of the top point, making a third peak.
Tuck into pocket with the folds facing out.

The Winged Puff


Lay the pocket square flat so it resembles a diamond.
Fold the top corner down to meet the bottom corner.
Fold the left and right corners down to meet the bottom corner, making a smaller diamond.
Fold the two side points in to the center, and fold the bottom point up.
Tuck into pocket with the point up and the folds facing out.

The Puff


The Puff Fold is probably the simplest of the folds. The desired result is to have a small puff of fabric coming out your suit pocket. Here’s how to fold it:
Lay the pocket square flat.
Pinch the middle of the fabric, allowing the folds to come in naturally.
With one hand firmly holding the pocket square, use your other hand to gently gather it together.
Now gracefully gather up the bottom of the pocket square.
Place it in your suit. Fiddle with it until you get the desired puffiness.

Flat Pocket Square

	Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal. There are a number of variations of the flat fold with names like the "TV Fold", the "Architect" or the "Presidential".
	Fold the the left side over the right side.
	Fold the bottom up just short of the top.
	Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

Three Stairs Pocket Square

 

	Lay your pocket square flat with one corner facing up and one corner facing down.
	Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner.
	Fold the front fold partially down so that it goes past the bottom of the pocket square.
	Now take the same fold and fold it back up towards the top of the pocket square.
	Now fold back towards the bottom of the pocket square. Be sure and keep your folds neat.
	Fold a small fold towards the top of the pocket square. You may want to gently press with an iron.
	Pause, and take a look at your pocket square folds so far. It should look basically like the illustration.
	Now this is a little tricky: fold the right half of the pocket square behind the left side. You will still see the folds if done correctly.
	Now rotate the righthand corner of the pocket square 90 degrees. Then fold the left side to the right.
	Fold the right side to the left and we are done.
	Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

Puff Pocket Square

 

	Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal. Pinch the middle of the pocket square and pick it up.
	As you pick up the pocket square tuck the sides in as in the diagram. Don't worry it may take a couple of trys to get it just right, but soon you will have it perfect.
	With one hand firmly holding the pocket square, use your other hand to gently gather it closed.
	Now gracefully gather up the bottom of the pocket square.

Winged Puff Pocket Square

	Lay your pocket square flat with one corner facing up and one corner facing down.
	Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top corner.
	Fold the top left and right corners down and in.
	Fold the left, right and bottom corners in.
	Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

Rolled Puff Pocket Square

	Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal. Pinch the middle of the pocket square and pick it up.
	As you pick up the pocket square tuck the sides in as in the diagram. Don't worry it may take a couple of trys to get it just right, but soon you will have it perfect.
	With one hand firmly holding the pocket square, use your other hand to gently gather it closed.
	Now gracefully roll the top of the pocket square in the direction of the arrow.
	Carefully lift the bottom points up.
	Firmly grasp the bottom of the pocket square.
	Tuck as needed and place your pocket square in your jacket pocket.

 

http://www.samhober.com/howtofoldpocketsquares/pocketsquarefolds.htm
http://www.ctshirts.com/Five-ways-to-fold-a-pocket-handkerchief?cnt=pocket-handkerchief
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/06/15/how-to-fold-a-pocket-square/
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/226228/how-fold-pocket-square