How to Fold a Pocket Square

For any formal occasion like a wedding, interview, work meetings, etc. where you require wearing a suit or a jacket and tie, a nicely folded handkerchief or pocket square in the breast pocket of your coat can give you that perfect gentlemen look. The origin of pocket square takes us back to the early 500 B.C. where rich Greeks used to carry perfumed hankies in their suit pockets. Likewise, English and French aristocrats and noblemen also carried scented and embroidered hankies to cover their noses from the stench of the streets and other people.

Further in early 1900s, the dapper or elegant gentlemen would never leave their house without a nicely folded pocket square tucked properly in their suit's breast pocket. However, nowadays pocket square is often considered to be an overlooked fashion accessory for men, but trust me friends, a pocket square can give a tremendous amount of styling option to your otherwise uniform or regular looking suit, shirt or silk ties.

Ways to Fold a Pocket Square

To bring back the same elegance and sophistication of early 1900s, let us learn how to fold a pocket square for a suit in different styles and shapes.

Flat Pocket Square Fold
Also termed as presidential fold, it is one of the most classic and easiest folds of a pocket square.

Instructions

• Lay the pocket square or well pressed handkerchief on a flat surface and straighten it with your hands.
• Fold it in the middle and again fold in, depending upon the depth of your breast pocket. The flat pocket square should stick around 1/4 to 1/2 inches out of the pocket.

One Tip Up Pocket Square Fold
It is considered to be an universal pocket square fold which is very common and easy to make.

Instructions

• Lay the pocket square on a smooth, flat surface and straighten it with your hands.
• Fold the pocket square alongside in the middle to form a triangle.
• Fold the left side of the triangle to the right and similarly fold the right side to the left.
• Now tug the pocket square in your breast pocket and give it some final adjustment.

Two Tip Up Pocket Square Fold
If you get bored of one tip up fold, then try the two tip up fold for business as well as for a slightly more casual attire.

Instructions

• Lay the pocket square on a flat surface and try to straighten it.
• Fold the pocket square diagonally i.e. the bottom corner up so that it looks like two overlapping triangles.
• Now fold the left side towards the right and right side to the left.
• Tug the pocket square in your breast pocket and give it a final adjustment.

Three Stairs Pocket Square
Although a little tricky, if you are looking for a more intricate way to fold your pocket square, try three stair pocket square.

Instructions

• Lay the pocket square on a flat surface and then, straighten it with your hands.
• Fold the bottom corner up for meeting the top corner.
• Fold the front fold partially down in such a way that it goes past the bottom of the pocket square.
• Now take the same fold and fold it back to the top and then again fold back towards the bottom of the pocket square.
• Now make a small fold to the top and fold the right half behind the left side.
• Now rotate the right hand corner of the pocket square at a 90° angle and then fold the left side to the right.
• Finally, fold the right side to the left and tug the pocket square in your breast pocket.

Choosing the right type of pocket square that suits your outfit is equally important. If you want a more casual, yet trendy look, combine your pocket square that is in different color, and has some design pattern, with your necktie. While combining colors and patterns, make sure they harmonize with each other as well as season of the year i.e., darker shades for fall and winter, and brighter or fresher colors for the spring and summer.