The Pocket Handkerchief

[Ancienne Alliance]

Most of you know the devotion I have for the Duke of Rothesay.

His original style and taste in kilt wearing always amaze me .

Lately I was reading one of Lady Chrystel’s favourite books on clothing: Dressing the Man, by Alan Flusser. (Harper Collins Publishers).

There I found a subject matter that may interest a few amongst you.

The pocket handkerchief.

I would like to share a few thoughts with you.

To start, here are a few photos close ups of the Duke of Rothesay.




My first reaction as someone regularly wearing the kilt was being concerned with matching colours.

And then, all of a sudden here is what I fall on. Please read carefully:




More to come !


Best,

Robert

[Ancienne Alliance]

I know this book isn’t referring to highland wear but it is nonetheless fascinating.

Like many, Matt Newsome for one, I am very attracted to mixing different textures.

So a solid colour pocket handkerchief should echo a colour (jacket or kilt, or a colour in the necktie) but in no case should it perfectly match with the necktie.

Here are more photos and examples :




Here is another one of the Prince of Wales:




Jean Cocteau:




Fred Astaire :




Luciano Barbera:










Let’s share ideas. Show me your pocket handkerchiefs, I’ll show you mine…


Best,

Robert

[HarborSpringsPiper]

What a great, classic reference. Thanks for posting that. It's really not something that I've ever utilized but may need to consider. Is there any reference to proper folding of the handkerchief for breast pocket wear?

[Ancienne Alliance]

What a great, classic reference. Thanks for posting that. It's really not something that I've ever utilized but may need to consider. Is there any reference to proper folding of the handkerchief for breast pocket wear?

This may help:








These come from the French translation of Bernhard Roetzel ‘s book:








Best,

Robert

[HarborSpringsPiper]

This may help:

Best,

Robert

Very helpful. Merci, Robert!

BTW, this is a very timely topic for me. I have a tweed lovat green daywear jacket and the breast pocket just doesn't lay correctly. I stuffed a white handkerchief in it the other day and it just didn't look right to me, so I tacked it in a couple of spots to close it up. Seeing what has been posted, I think the better solution is to use a coordinated color 'kerchief in the pocket.

[McMurdo]

I always wear a white pocket square or handkerchief. Like so:


I find it is a classic look that goes well in any jacket, with any outfit. Of course this thread may change my habits, I have many hankies in fact there are two on my desk right now. Another thing to think about I normally carry at least two with me in addition to the square in my breast pocket, one for me to use and one for a lady, I routinely give one away.

[Ancienne Alliance]

I always wear a white pocket square or handkerchief. Like so:


I find it is a classic look that goes well in any jacket, with any outfit. Of course this thread may change my habits, I have many hankies in fact there are two on my desk right now. Another thing to think about I normally carry at least two with me in addition to the square in my breast pocket, one for me to use and one for a lady, I routinely give one away.

Bravo Glen ! I'm not at all surprised

A white handkerchief goes perfectly well with a white shirt and will make your jacket look , well, more expensive !


Best,

Robert

[Panache]

Bravo Robert!

I love pocket squares, they are that last little detail, that finishing touch that many forget.

They just makes an ensemble

I always used to use white handkerchiefs for pocket squares because that was what was available. Then I realized that bandannas, that are readily available, could be utilized and I gathered up a bunch of them.








For some reason I just can't break away from the single point fold. It just seems right.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[The Wizard of BC]

One of the little things I do when wearing a Jacket is I match my pocket square and my flashes.

It sort of ties things together.

It is the "little splash of color" that you often see referred to in the books on dressing well.

[JSFMACLJR]

I ALWAYS wear a handkerchief in my breast pocket. Usually it is white linen, although I frequently wear patterned silk ones. Here are several pics showing how I wear them:





















In the first four photos I am wearing the kilt...to keep it all on-topic!