Should Pocket Squares Be Identical Matches To Ties? Your Opinions Please.

[Man of Letters]

Furthermore, under what circumstances (if any), do you believe that mismatching ties and squares is appropriate.

Until now I've been in the camp that says they must match, but I'm beginning to have second thoughts.

 

[acecow]

They must match only if bought from TJ Maxx or a Chinese ebay vendor.

 

[emmanuel]

Matching your tie to your pocket square always looks cheap

 

[Quadcammer]

while I don't think its as awful as other people on here say, its generally frowned upon.

 

[luftvier]

Atrocious. Please don't.

 

[satorstyle]

matching tie and square is like a black suit, doesn't take much thought.

 

[Man of Letters]

Matching your tie to your pocket square always looks cheap

Really? That's interesting. I always thought of it as an attention to detail thing. Also, the senior guys at most of firms I've been with almost always wore matching ties and squares, thus I assumed it was the norm.

 

[Dinosarti]

Unless you are doing magic tricks or making balloon animals, don't even consider it.

Why would you? Are you interested in telling the world "hey look. I bought the set!"?

A pocket square is a chance to add a small flourish, a bit style to break up the color of your coat. Not a way to show the world you can keep two matching articles of clothing together. That is what socks do.

Further more, the pocket square shouldn't really match your shirts either unless they are both white. The PS should call out and compliment secondary colors in your outfit.

Just my two cents...

 

[lemmy127]

Just to clarify and mildly hijack the thread...

Am I wrong to hypothetically have a white PS with blue and black stripes (both running vertically and horizontally) paired with a black tie with small blue dots outlined with white? Or a black, blue, and white glen plaid tie?

I guess I ask because I like matching colors. It looks weird to me if the PS's base color isn't a base or secondary color of the shirt or tie. But I do agree that exact pattern matches of the tie and PS look bad.

 

[Flake]

Only if your tie is crisp white linen

 

[Dinosarti]

You are spot on....

Just to clarify and mildly hijack the thread...

Am I wrong to hypothetically have a white PS with blue and black stripes (both running vertically and horizontally) paired with a black tie with small blue dots outlined with white? Or a black, blue, and white glen plaid tie?

I guess I ask because I like matching colors. It looks weird to me if the PS's base color isn't a base or secondary color of the shirt or tie. But I do agree that exact pattern matches of the tie and PS look bad.

 

[Lighthouse]

No. Do not match. Pocket square should not be same fabric as the tie. Only a minor color of the tie should be captured in pocketsquare.

 

[emmanuel]



Really? That's interesting. I always thought of it as an attention to detail thing. Also, the senior guys at most of firms I've been with almost always wore matching ties and squares, thus I assumed it was the norm.

Paying attention to details is knowing how to choose a square that compliements your outfit that doesnt match your tie precisely. Matching just exposes your lack of taste.

 

[Man of Letters]

Unless you are doing magic tricks or making balloon animals, don't even consider it.

Why would you? Are you interested in telling the world "hey look. I bought the set!"?

A pocket square is a chance to add a small flourish, a bit style to break up the color of your coat. Not a way to show the world you can keep two matching articles of clothing together. That is what socks do.

Further more, the pocket square shouldn't really match your shirts either unless they are both white. The PS should call out and compliment secondary colors in your outfit.

Just my two cents...

@Dinosarti A thoughtful two cents it was. The way you framed the issue in the form of a question is useful; my answer would definitely be no. Also, I appreciate your bit of guidance.

Thanks all for your replies. Initially I felt foolish that I didn't know tie/square etiquette, however those feelings gave way to feelings of liberation. I feel free to mix a match and that's a great feeling.

 

[Dinosarti]

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