In this day and age, it’s important to know how to fold a pocket square — especially with the growing popularity of preppy, smart-casual outfits. Let’s take a look at what a pocket square is and the different types of pocket square fold you need to know.
What is a Pocket Square?
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Pocket squares are rectangular pieces of fabric that serve as a dapper accessory for men looking to spruce up their formalwear. You might be thinking, what’s the need for a pocket square when you have a good old handkerchief that, for one, looks almost the same thing. Despite their similarities, pocket squares and handkerchiefs actually exist to perform different purposes. Handkerchiefs are tools used to wipe away sweat and clean your face. Pocket squares are simply accessories you slide into your breast pocket to snazz up your outfit.
Despite its seeming simplicity, the pocket square has proved itself to be incredibly versatile. Its ability to be folded in several different ways allows its wearers to add a dash of flair to just about any outfit. In a way, they’re a small and subtle way to turn an ordinary formal look into something much more memorable.
What makes them fun to work with is the fact that they all have their own unique colors and patterns. Their versatility means that they’re a flexible accessory — one that can be used for both formal and casual engagements alike.
How to Wear a Pocket Square
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Pocket squares are accessories you insert into your breast pocket. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and patterns. At the end of the day, they all perform the same purpose: to liven up your formalwear. There are many ways in which it does this, and the first is how you can cleverly use its colors to complement your outfit.
For instance, a navy blue suit looks simple enough on its own. With the help of a burgundy pocket square, however, the contrasting colors provide your look with a whole new dimension. It makes for a striking and dapper look.
Bear in mind that there isn’t necessarily a “best” pocket square fold. In the end, it all boils down to personal preference, as well as finding the perfect fold to match the occasion of whatever event you intend to attend.
Some folds are considered more casual than others, meaning you’re better off avoiding them for more formal and serious engagements. Typically these folds are the more stylish and attention-grabbing ones that would look out of place in a professional environment.
If you’re keen on learning how to fold a pocket square for a funeral or any other solemn occasion, you’re better off using patternless white pocket squares. It’d also be best to learn some of the more basic folds. The presidential fold, for instance, is perfect as it’s not too showy, nor is it out of place in more serious settings.
Folding a Pocket Square: Basic Folds
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For those of you keen on learning how to fold pocket squares, this guide should come in handy. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can fold a pocket square. This means you’ve got a lot of options to experiment with — especially if you’re a first-timer.
If you want to learn how to fold a pocket square, for formal engagements or for casual ones, then here are five quick and simple modern pocket folds to help you get into the groove of things.
1. The Presidential Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Fold the pocket square halfway from the middle.
- Fold the pocket square halfway from the middle once more, creating a narrow rectangle.
- From the bottom, fold the pocket square once again to create a rectangle the width of your breast pocket and half an inch longer.
- Fold the rectangle once again. Insert the folded pocket square into your breast pocket.
2. The One-Point Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Fold the pocket square in half.
- Fold the pocket square in half once more.
- Adjust the square and rotate it so that one corner faces the top.
- Fold the left and right corners into the center.
- Slide the pocket square into your breast pocket, with the triangular point sticking out from the top.
3. The Two-Point Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Fold the pocket square diagonally, however angle the fold so that one corner becomes positioned right beside the other. This creates two triangular points.
- Fold the right doubled-over corner of the base inwards.
- Fold the left doubled-over corner of the base inwards. These folds should give the pocket square dimensions roughly the size of your breast pocket. Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket so that the only thing visible should be the two triangular points jutting out from the top.
4. The Puff Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Pinch the pocket square from the center to let each of its corners droop.
- Still holding the center, gently pull the dangling edges of the pocket square to create a shape reminiscent of a tube.
- Roll upwards from the bottom of the tube until the pocket square is small enough to fit in your breast pocket.
- Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket, with the rounded part jutting out from the top.
5. The Scallop Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Fold the pocket square diagonally to create a triangle.
- Fold the pocket square in half down the middle to create an even smaller triangle.
- Gently curl the corner on the right in and downwards.
- Gently curl the corner on the left in and downwards, laying the point over the first corner you curled inward.
- Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket, making sure that only the scalloped shape pokes out from the top.
Folding a Pocket Square: Intermediate Folds
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While some pocket square folds are a little more difficult to do than others, that doesn’t make them any less worth it. In fact, some of these looks offer much in the way of style.
It’d be difficult not to stand out with exquisite and attention-grabbing folds like these ones. Unlike the previously listed techniques, these folds have a few more steps and require significantly more finesse.
For those eager to learn how to fold a pocket square for a wedding or other semi-formal engagements such as cocktail parties, office parties, and other social gatherings, these five-folds might be a little more up your alley. Given their suitability for less formal events, there’s no harm in showing off a little. These folds partner well with patterned and brightly-colored pocket squares.
1. The Rose Fold
- Make a ring with your forefinger and your thumb.
- Rest the pocket square on top.
- Place two fingers atop the pocket square, touching the hole made with your forefinger and your thumb.
- Push the pocket square through the ring.
- Twist the pocket square in a circular motion while tightening the ring.
- After the pocket square has folded as much as possible, gather the remaining fabric from the bottom. Continue folding and making adjustments to the pocket square until the upper part looks like a rose.
- Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket so that the rose-like fold juts out from the top.
2. The Stair Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Now, fold the pocket square diagonally to create a triangle.
- Create a small pinch in the fabric and lift it up slightly, just below the fold line to create the first “step” of your stair fold.
- Create another pinch and lift it up, just below the “step” you just made.
- Fold the pocket square diagonally, bringing the top corner down to the bottom. Place the pocket square flat on the table with the “steps” facing forward.
- Fold the bottom right corner backward and the bottom left corner backward.
- Wrap any leftover fabric around the pocket square towards the front.
- Fold the bottom section upwards towards the back and make adjustments depending on the dimensions of your breast pocket. Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket so that the stair fold is visible from the top.
3. The Dunaway Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Pinch the pocket square from the center to let each of its corners droop. Make sure the edges and corners of the pocket square are even. Gently pull the dangling edges of the pocket square to create a shape reminiscent of a tube.
- Invert the tube and spread loose edges out to make the shape look more symmetrical.
- Fold the center of the pocket square upwards, halfway through the tube. Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket so that the three leaf-shaped points jut out from the top.
4. The Four-Point Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Fold the bottom left-hand corner and fold it just below the right-hand corner, creating two points.
- Now fold the top left-hand corner lower just below the two points to create three.
- Fold the bottom right-hand corner and fold it towards the left of the three points to create the fourth and final point.
- With the four points made, take the left-hand side and fold it back over the pocket square to create a triangular shape.
- Fold the triangle upwards towards the points. Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket while ensuring that the four points are visible, jutting out on top.
5. The Winged Puff Fold
- Begin with an unfolded pocket square, flat on the table.
- Fold the pocket square diagonally to create a triangle.
- Once this is done, fold the corners from each end to create a diamond shape.
- Fold three of the four corners, leaving the point up top untouched, towards the center of the pocket square. Insert the pocket square into your breast pocket while ensuring that the remaining triangle shape is visible, jutting out on top.
Folding a Pocket Square: The Final Takeaway
Now that you know how to fold a pocket square, for casual and for formal engagements, it’s time you put all that knowledge to good use. Find the best pocket square to match your outfits.
Be sure to practice regularly in order to familiarize yourself with the many different folding techniques used to bring out the best in your outfit. The intermediate folds in particular will take a bit of time to master, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be at the top of your fashion game in no time.
