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Usable Pocket Square

Joffrey

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Hi guys. I want to get in the habit of wearing pocket squares but im not into the idea of leaving them there for sartorial purposes only. So I want to know if its possible to use handkerchifs in place of pocker squares, so I wont feel bad when I need to wipe my brow or sneeze in them. Or is normal to use normal pocket squares in such a way?
 

Vintage Gent

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I'd advise against a functional pocket square. Consider the adage one for showin' and one for blowin'. Your pocket square should be largely decorative while your snot rag should be well concealed elsewhere on your person.
 

j

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Some cotton squares could be both functional and decorative, but once used they shouldn't go back on display... ew.
 

Thurston

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Agree with VG 100%. I also can't tell you how invaluable a handkerchief is as a Dad. And once it's been used, it needs to get tucked away somewhere.
devil.gif
The three things I always have to have are cash, the time and a handkerchief.
 

globetrotter

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here is what I do - every year or so I buy a bundle of white cotton handkerchiefs. I carry a new one in the breast pocket, and an old one in the front left pocket of my pants. if I need to use one, I use the one in my pants. if, for what ever reason, I use the new one, it is rotated into the group that is put in my pants.
 

Joffrey

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Wow great points though its painfully obvious in hindsight. Putting a handkerchief in there sounded like such a novel idea. Anyway i'm going to have to start building my collection in both....

by the way is it ok to use a white pocket square regardless of the tie? Or in some cases does the 'square need to be chosen in consideration of the tie being worn?
 

VMan

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I'd avoid using the pocket square in the breast pocket functionally not only for the reasons mentioned, but also if you use it to wipe your forehead and put it back in the pocket, you run the risk of transferring oils to your suit and damaging the fabric.
 

globetrotter

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Originally Posted by Jodum5
Wow great points though its painfully obvious in hindsight. Putting a handkerchief in there sounded like such a novel idea. Anyway i'm going to have to start building my collection in both....

by the way is it ok to use a white pocket square regardless of the tie? Or in some cases does the 'square need to be chosen in consideration of the tie being worn?


most here won't agree with me, but I do not have the patience to coordinate pocket square with tie - mine are all white.
 

Edward Appleby

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While white might not always be the best option, it's always a good option. If you want to add a bit of variety but still not have to fool with matching (as globe said,) switch between silk and linen.
 

Edward Appleby

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Originally Posted by Jovan
White is ALWAYS the best option!
What if you're wearing a white linen jacket?
tounge.gif
 

JLibourel

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White squares are usually boring but occasionally useful or even the best choice, IMO.

I would as soon use my square for any utilitarian purpose as blow my nose in one of my Charvet neckties! In any event, I much prefer silken squares to cotton or linen.
 

itsstillmatt

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Originally Posted by Jovan
White is ALWAYS the best option!
Nothing is always anything. I wear white 99% of the time, but I do like the look of patterned silks from time to time. You might want to lighten up on the dogma just a smidgen.
 

Edward Appleby

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Originally Posted by iammatt

You might want to lighten up on the dogma just a smidgen.

I'd imagine he was being a bit hyperbolic.
 

thinman

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I try to coordinate with my tie, but if I don't have a pocket square that coordinates well, then white linen is the default. I also have some colored/patterned linen squares because I sometimes like a different texture from silk.

And I always carry one for showin' and one for blowin'. In a *dire* emergency, I would use the one in my breast pocket. There was a thread sometime back, either here or on AAAC, asking if you would offer your pocket square to a lady in distress. It generated some interesting responses.
 

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