Can you wear a pocket square to a law school party?

[josepidal]

I decided to be the foreign student trying to be friendly and attending the American senior law student parties. I was told that "standard" attired is a pair of jeans and a striped long-sleeved shirt.

I went in a solid dark charcoal buttondown, APC New Standards (jeans) and a pair of Lobb Jermyn IIs in dark brown. I put on my blazer because I felt cold and the party was in a downtown Boston bar at about 11 PM. I forgot that a navy/gold pocket square was in the pocket.

Before I left the party, as I was standing with a group of half-drunk male students in front of the bar, one student suddenly exclaimed, "Wow! A pocket square! I've always wanted to wear one but didn't think I'd have the balls!" He then said something to the effect that at least he had mustered the courage to wear pink shirts, and the others in the group assented. He then looked me over head to toe and remarked that he'd give me an A for dressing well, ending with, "And those those those are NICE shoes! MAN!!!"

I asked one of the host's friends if he thought I were overdressed and he said the blazer is a bit standard if dressed up, but that the square might be a bit over the top, though it would be fine if you could carry it.

Thoughts?

I imagine this situation is where I'd love to have a great leather jacket. Less worries about getting beer spilled on your jacket or sweater.

 

[LabelKing]

These people sounded like the ubiquitous American Jackasses in terms of style.

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by josepidal

Thoughts?

I think you're sprending far too much time analyzing how you dress in order to fit in and not enough time getting some Grade A New England tail! C'mon man, snap out of it! You are in an area with the highest concentration of female students anywhere. You have your whole life to worry about pocket squares but only this year to create some kickass memories of wild, carefree fornication that will keep you grinning in your old age.

 

[DNW]

Nah, you did okay. I'm starting to see the law school crowd in sport jackets more often these days, even when we go out to the undergrad bars where we're expected to get **** hammered. I wore a pocket square to a law school social event last year and was thoroughly complimented. There were few others too. One thing I'd keep in mind is not to wear your Lobbs and EG out to bars, they'll be destroyed in no time. I wore a pair of Peal monkstrap out one night to be stepped on no less than 4-5 times. Never again!

At my school, there are still pockets of students who will show up to class in sweats most of the time, particularly when it gets cold and wet in the winter. I usually find myself in this group during finals time.

 

[josepidal]

Originally Posted by EL72

not enough time getting some Grade A New England tail!
The posts regarding these are on another forum, actually.

 

[odoreater]

 

[Get Smart]

dood, why do you worry about it so much? if you want to wear all that stuff and be *that guy*, then just do it and quit worrying so much about what everyone thinks. You're probably already the topic of conversation among your peers so you might as well just keep doing what you're doing and have some f'ing pride doing it.

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by josepidal

The posts regarding these are on another forum, actually.

Links please. I hope we're not talking about 65 year old law profs here

 

[josepidal]

Originally Posted by Get Smart

dood, why do you worry about it so much?
Asking doesn't mean worrying, does it?

 

[whoopee]

I wore them to high school and college parties whenever I felt like wearing a jacket with a breast pocket. I get quite a few comments - all positive, because it fits in with who I am, I wear jeans and very unstodgy sweaters and tees more often than not, and I am not afraid to get sloshed with a poncey piece of silk exposed. Being uptight is what really bothers people; a pocket square is a possible indicator of such but by no means certain. You could be known as the campus prick or the guy who has a bit of (artistic?) flair, depending on how you act.

 

[acidboy]

wear what you want with confidence, lawyer boy!

 

[teddieriley]

Every minutiae of what happens to you in a Boston bar?

 

[GBR]

The very fact you are asking suggests it looked wrong and you are looking for a crutch. Indeed most what you do seems to need a crutch.

Over done for the circumstances unless you want to look a jack ass. Jeans and jacket/blazer fine, pocket square NO.

 

[FLMountainMan]

Current law student here - graduate in December, thank G-d.
A pocket square is a little over the top.

 

[VKK3450]

Agreed, focus on the ladies and it wont matter what the guys say.

Let them talk, it wont be about your pocket square, but about your pimpaliciousness

K