Linen pocket squares for black-tie

[johnci]

Hey all. I recently asked for some advice on wedding attire, and was steered strongly towards white linen pocket squares to accent the black tuxes and white shirts my groomsmen and I are wearing. I just got them in the mail from a company called Wickham House through a retailer called Etsy.com.

They aren't as white as my tux shirt. I don't want to call them eggshell or off-white, but there is a slight color difference. Is that to be expected with linen? I can add pics when I get home if that helps. Right now I think it looks a little odd.

 

[acecow]

Don't worry, they don't have to be the same. In fact, it's probably even better that they are slightly off.

 

[SpooPoker]

Im not sure if I like the idea of a linen PS for black tie. Too contradictory for me.

 

[pvrhye]

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

Im not sure if I like the idea of a linen PS for black tie. Too contradictory for me.
I kinda agree. Linen is a casual kinda material. Also, it could look busy with a boutineer.

 

[johnci]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

I kinda agree. Linen is a casual kinda material. Also, it could look busy with a boutineer.



Bumping for a few more opinions. Uh, price drop on my 2cents...now just about worthless

 

[Gus]

Here are a few classic and new examples that appear to be white linen.

First the classic guys:

Now, for a more modern approach:

Since it is for a wedding, I would suggest that you get some photos off the wedding web site The Knot and see how it looks in the context of a wedding group and ceremony.

My personal opinion is that a high quality white linen pocket square will look great in photos against your black tux and it's stiffness will hold it's shape better throughout the ceremony and reception than any other material. White linen will be an attractive compliment to your wife's white dress as well and goes with any boutineer.

 

[CousinDonuts]

Go to Target and get a box of standard white cotton hankies. Fold them crisply into a rectangle. Voila.

 

[Gus]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

Linen is a casual kinda material. Also, it could look busy with a boutineer.

Wow, I couldn't disagree more. Fine linen is one of the most classic, elegant materials. How could a white PS possibly be busy with a boutineer?????

 

[Gus]

Originally Posted by CousinDonuts

Go to Target and get a box of standard white cotton hankies. Fold them crisply into a rectangle. Voila.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Originally Posted by CousinDonuts

Go to Target and get a box of standard white cotton hankies. Fold them crisply into a rectangle. Voila.


Sacralege.

 

[Montrachet]

If you're going classic black tie, a white linen pocket square is how it's done. If in your case, it looks more like an ivory color compared to the shirt, that's fine because it will make the look appear less manufactured and more human.

 

[Gus]

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

Im not sure if I like the idea of a linen PS for black tie. Too contradictory for me.

This guy doesn't seem to agree with you on that......

 

[greekonomist]

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

Wow, I couldn't disagree more. Fine linen is one of the most classic, elegant materials. How could a white PS possibly be busy with a boutineer?????

+1

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I like cream silk over white linen, but the pics posted with white linen look great.

 

[Will C.]

White linen is the most 'correct' choice for black tie, if that matters to you, because white linen is what pocket handkerchiefs were in the 19th century, before men started wearing silk ones. It makes sense that the older, historically correct handkerchief is what goes with formal evening dress.

It's similar to the difference between wingtips and captoes. The ornateness of wingtips may seem more formal to someone who is unfamiliar with the historical nuances, but from the point of view of tradition (which formality is based on), formality is associated with greater simplicity, so wingtips are wrong for evening clothes, and even (from a very conservative point of view) worsted city suits.

There's also the other thing, which is not limited to black tie specifically, regarding textures. With the silk tie, silk lapel facings, and (possibly) patent leather shoes, a little spot of linen helps to balance out all that lustre.