You’ve no doubt seen them in movies and photos depicting the 1920s era. And now you can see them in breast pockets all over the place because are making a resounding come-back. Pocket squares, that is.

A pocket square provides a great way to make a subtle fashion statement to accent and complement a suit or outfit. It’s an accessory that allows men to achieve a dapper, retro look, and a tool for ladies who want to push the boundaries a bit.

But did you know that a simple, affordable handkerchief can be used to make a highly stylish pocket square? You bet it can.

Read on then to find out everything you need to know about handkerchiefs as pocket squares.

A Brief History of the Pocket Square

Let’s start with a little history of the pocket square because it is so utterly fascinating . . .

Ancient Origins

It’s believed by some that the pocket square goes all the way back to ancient Egypt. Small linen cloths dyed with a red powder wore worn for decorative purposes and to signify wealth. But this may be too much of a stretch because it’s a long way from what we know as a pocket square.

Others think that the pocket square originated with the ancient Greeks who often carried a scented cloth. Still other historians believe that the pocket square found its beginning in the ninth century when Christians wore a white handkerchief attached to their left arm to represent their devotion to God and the Church.

But the preponderance of historical consensus traces the pocket square’s origins to the fifteenth century when the handkerchief became popular throughout Europe. Pocket squares/handkerchiefs were carried by the upper classes for both practical purposes and as a fashion accessory. Handkerchiefs at that time, though, were made from more exotic materials than they typically are today, for example, silk, and were often ornately embroidered.

Moving Toward Today

The pocket square/handkerchief really took off in the nineteenth century with the advent of the two-piece suit as the mainstay of gentlemen’s fashion. It’s thought that well-dressed men didn’t want their handkerchiefs getting soiled in their pockets, so they began carrying them in their top=left breast pocket.

This style persisted into the twentieth century until it became what we know as a pocket square. In the early part of the last century, the pocket square evolved into a key men’s fashion accessory in Europe and in the US. Think of Fred Astaire in those old movies.

As pocket squares and handkerchiefs began to be made of cheaper materials and with the casualization of dress from the mid-twentieth century on, this once essential men’s fashion accessory began to decline in popularity.

But that is now changing, and the pocket square is seeing a resurgence in popularity – for both men and women.

The Pocket Square Today

The pocket square is such an easy way to add flair and achieve a more stylish look. It can both accent and complement an outfit.

And that’s likely the main reason why pocket squares are coming back. They have, in fact, become an essential part of outfits worn by high-profile celebrities and fashionistas. Because the work environment and work attire are far more casual than formerly, the pocket square is a way for men who take pride in their appearance to stand out from the crowd.

The beauty of a pocket square is that with little cost and effort you can subtly upgrade any outfit. It can add a tasteful splash of accent color and complementarity to even the most conservative suit.

How to Fold a Handkerchief for a Pocket Square

If you want to get in on this booming style trend, you don’t have to lay out a lot cash for designer pocket squares. Nope, a simple handkerchief will serve admirably. And here’s what you need to do . . .

Preparatory Steps

• Choose the right handkerchief for a pocket square. First of all, that means considering the occasion for which your dressing. If it’s more formal, then you should opt for a white handkerchief, pink handkerchief, or one with a subtle, understated pattern. If, on the other hand, the occasion is more casual, then you can be more ambitious and choose brighter colors and louder patterns.
• Always keep in mind the your pocket square handkerchief is intended to accent and complement your outfit and its color scheme. So it doesn’t have to match your tie or clothing colors, rather serving to bring out the best in what you’re wearing.
• Iron your handkerchief first. Ironing and removing all the wrinkles will make it much easier to fold.

The Straight Fold

• For this look, fold the handkerchief vertically, pulling the two corners of one side up (or down) toward the two corresponding corners of the other side.
• But fold it only about 2/3 of the way up, thus leaving about a 1/3 of it above the portion you folded up.
• Then fold it in half, pulling one side over to meet the other.
• Insert it into your breast pocket leaving about ¼ of an inch visible above the top of the pocket.
• If your breast pocket is fairly shallow, you can fold the bottom, non-exposed part of the handkerchief again so that only a ¼ inch will be visible above the top of your pocket.
• If the handkerchief is too wide for your pocket, you can fold it sideways into thirds rather than in half.
• Done right, the straight fold will add a touch of timeless, dignified style that also adds some pop to your look.

One-Point Fold

If you want a dapper look with a little more style zing, try the one-point fold . . .

• Again, lay your handkerchief on a flat surface, but this time the a corner at the top and bottom so that it looks like a diamond.
• Pull the bottom corner up to meet the top corner to form a triangle.
• Fold the left corner of the triangle 2/3 of the way toward the right corner.
• Then fold the right corner 2/3 of the way toward the left corner.
• At this point, the handkerchief should look much like an open envelope.
• Now, flip the folded handkerchief over so that the side facing you is the smooth side with no visible ends/corners.
• Again, if it’s too wide the pocket, just fold a little more on each side.
• Now, you’re ready for any formal affair like a dinner party.

Where to Get Your Quality, Affordable Handkerchiefs

Are you ready to get in on this old-but-now-new classy fashion trend? If so, you’ll need some quality handkerchiefs.

When you’re ready to get your handkerchiefs for pocket squares, go to the handkerchief source that offers both quality handkerchiefs and great prices coupled with superior customer service – Bandana.com.

Here at Bandana.com, we offer a wide selection of all kinds of bandanas and handkerchiefs for any occasion. You can get more information about us here.