The Pocket Handkerchief

[Arlen]

You know, I have always wanted to but I just never... Well, I never have.
I've always like the look of a single or double point that is subtly matched to the outfit but it never occurred to me that I, too, could be stylish and do something like that.
I need to go look at my hankies!!!

[thescot]

They all look good but alas they cannot be used for the function they are ostensibly designed for.

Ah, like the others, we should always be careful to have a proper cotton handkerchief on our person in order to attend to the inevitable situation which will assuredly arise any time we are without a handkerchief. I at least will need to wipe my glasses at some point, and that should not be done with anything but cotton. And God forbid one of the grandchildren should have a runny nose.

However, as to the pocket hankie, square, or whatever-you-call-it. I do not hesitate to offer the one in my pocket to a lady should she find the need for one. Nothing looks quite so gallant or gentlemanly as pulling your pocket square out for a lady in tears . . . or for any other reason. Just think of Rhett Butler giving his to Scarlett.

And only the ladies are allowed to use my pocket square for its original purpose. Everyone else is invited to use his sleeve for its intended purpose.

I really enjoyed the folding lessons, and I will give a couple a whirl in the near future. For many years, I have only used the "puff" style because the pointed ones always reminded me of those little pieces of material sewn to cards my dad used in his suit pockets when I was young. He tried to be well-dressed and debonair, but he just couldn't quite pull it off.

[thescot]

BTW, Robert, you always look like a million bucks! I am green with envy that you and your lady are so adept at choosing you attire.

[Ancienne Alliance]

BTW, Robert, you always look like a million bucks! I am green with envy that you and your lady are so adept at choosing you attire.

Thank you for your kind words ...but I owe it all to this clever Forum. ith:


Best,

Robert

[fluter]

I at least will need to wipe my glasses at some point, and that should not be done with anything but cotton.

Actually a clean, soft facial tissue is marginally safer for the specs (less likely to have a bit of grit stowed away). And now we are told we should use a dedicated microfiber cloth, which we carefully launder without fabric softener.

[pdcorlis]

I think the best advice I've heard for folding a pocket square came from another gentleman's website. They suggested that it should placed in the pocket with casual indifference - as if added at the last possible moment before leaving one's home...

I quite like that.

[Ancienne Alliance]

I think the best advice I've heard for folding a pocket square came from another gentleman's website. They suggested that it should placed in the pocket with casual indifference - as if added at the last possible moment before leaving one's home...

I quite like that.

I do too !


Best,

Robert

[Oddern]

Thank you Robert for starting this thread. It's become very informativ for me who is working on building up both a day wear and a formal wear garb. I'm off searching for hankie's.

[Phil]

In my younger days it was unthinkable not to wear a handkerchief in the breast pocket of your jacket. Some jackets even came with one already installed! It was usually just a piece of fabric attached to a card though. I must say I have not worn one for many years but then I rarely wear a jacket except with a kilt. The fashion of wearing one with a lounge suit seemed to die out in the late 1960's (along with cravats, cardigans, smoking jackets, trilby and bowler hats etc.). As they say, however, what goes around will come around.

[Detroitpete]

I was taught by my grandfather that you weren't fully dressed without a 'kerchief in your suit. It could match the tie exactly, match the shirt or coordinate--that wasn't the thing--the thing was to WEAR one with a suit if you wanted to look properly turned out. Along with this, he included:

-Shining your own shoes
-tying your own tie--neck tie or bow tie
-having your nails in order
etc etc etc

When I got out of the military and bought my first few suits to re-enter the civilian work world. I remember the young salesman a bit perplexed when I asked for coordinating and matching squares. An older salesman came over and smiled and said he'd take care of me.

I then went and bought a new straight razor, mug and brush.

Its funny how somethings you are taught just stay with you. I thank the lads here who are helping clods like me transfer our scrunged kilt wearing lives into something more sophisticated and proper. You remind me of how my grandfater helped me as a boy--good on ya!