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Pocket square recommendations

apShepard

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Hello, I'm looking to get into pocket squares so I'm interested if there is any oficial guide or something like that. For example, I just bought this coat from S&M
SpierAndMackay21SS_6684F-300-13_27824-Edit.jpg


And I wear it with blue or olive striped shirts(no ties). What would work with it? Personally, I like the "shoestring" pocket squares, the white ones with collored edges. I feel like the silk variety with intricate dessigns are too showy.


Also, do you have to change them from day to day? If I go in vacation for a week can I just bring one and wear only that one?

Thanks,
 

dieworkwear

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If you're not wearing a tie, then choosing a pocket square is very easy, as there's little you have to do to coordinate. It just comes down to you complementing the mood, seasonality, and color of the coat.

For that coat, I would do a cheery cotton square. This is a pile of cotton squares from Drake's.


tumblr_inline_nmo2lf9c1Y1qfex1b_540.jpeg




If you feel that makes the outfit look too matte, a silk pocket square can also be really nice. I often wear Rubinacci's Victory square. Sometimes a hint of sheen can be nice against a matte coat. With a wool-silk-linen coat or a mohair-blend coat, I would do a silk-wool square for something more matte. But for a very matte coat, such as flannel, a hint of sheen can be nice.

5ef9f99d6e87f341575421.jpeg




Not a fan of those white pocket squares with the shoestring border. If you're going to wear a white square, I think the look should be very clean. A contrasting border disrupts that line.
 

apShepard

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Thanks @dieworkwear, What abouth wearing the same pocket square consecutive days?

Another question, are black pocket squares a thing like black ties? Or is it a big no no.
 

dieworkwear

Mahatma Jawndi
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Thanks @dieworkwear, What abouth wearing the same pocket square consecutive days?

Another question, are black pocket squares a thing like black ties? Or is it a big no no.

Nothing wrong with wearing the same pocket square on consecutive days.

Outside of white pocket squares in cotton or linen, I don't recommend wearing solid-colored squares. A black pocket square will look cheap and of low taste.
 

ValidusLA

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Agree on most counts. The only non-white solid square that I would ever wear is..... cream. Never never black.

Also second the Rubinacci Victory, love that square.
 

maxalex

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Black pocket squares do have a place—at a funeral. Especially if you’re like most men outside of a Quentin Tarantino film who don’t own a black suit. You’ll be wearing a navy business suit to a funeral with a white shirt and black tie. Add a black silk pocket square to finish the look. Keep a white hanky in your pocket for the ladies’ tears.
 

dieworkwear

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Black pocket squares do have a place—at a funeral. Especially if you’re like most men outside of a Quentin Tarantino film who don’t own a black suit. You’ll be wearing a navy business suit to a funeral with a white shirt and black tie. Add a black silk pocket square to finish the look. Keep a white hanky in your pocket for the ladies’ tears.

Black pocket square sounds like something a DJ or a magician would wear on a cruise ship.

Do you have photos of black pocket squares being worn well?
 

apShepard

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I only asked because I saw it in a bottom right photo that links to the styleforum instagram.

look:
 

dieworkwear

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I only asked because I saw it in a bottom right photo that links to the styleforum instagram.

look:


Outfit would look much better with a neatly folded white pocket square

tumblr_3761963700cc633d286ae01814e8c6d7_e7ae0de0_540.jpg



Grey suit + black tie + white shirt conveys business. A white folded pocket square completes the look and says the same (e.g. "This is a serious suit"). Black pocket square doesn't convey this. With a black tie, it also risks looking like one of those bad matching sets where the tie and square are made from the same fabric.
 

apShepard

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Yea, I never saw it anywhere else, but I tought if it's on the official instagram maybe it is something people here wear. Anyway, I watched this video of Mark showing charcoal trousers+beige sport coat and a black tie but no PS and it's the most beautiful and harmonious combination I've ever seen.

 

dieworkwear

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Yea, I never saw it anywhere else, but I tought if it's on the official instagram maybe it is something people here wear. Anyway, I watched this video of Mark showing charcoal trousers+beige sport coat and a black tie but no PS and it's the most beautiful and harmonious combination I've ever seen.



I'm a fan of black knit ties. We had a convo about those recently here

 

circumspice

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I have the Victory square because my StyFo registration date is early enough. I like it, but I tend to wear it with navy hopsack sport coats, and not my more casual stuff. The OP's coat is a light colored coat I think of as more day-wear, and I would tend to go colorful cotton.

For solids, I generally agree with white+cream good, else=danger doctrine, but I do have a nice light blue linen square from Simonnot Goddard that I sometimes break out with summer suits + white shirts + black knit ties - if I am looking for a bit of color, but not necessary whimsy. But in general, I do think such a square isn't anything close to essential
 

maxalex

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Black pocket square sounds like something a DJ or a magician would wear on a cruise ship.

Do you have photos of black pocket squares being worn well?
Men used to wear a black silk armband for six months after their wife died. I’m personally happy that sartorial tradition has been laid to rest, so to speak. But I have worn a black pocket square to funerals, with my darkest navy suit. There’s not much to see in a picture, the contrast is subtle. Which is sort of the point. Rest assured that otherwise it never leaves the drawer. Unless I need to make some coins disappear at a child’s birthday party.
 

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