Pocket square / scarf / handkerchief in left sleeve?

Guy-Montag · Apr 22, 2010

Something I've seen worn with formal wear way back when (1700's-1800's?) was the pocket square / scarf / handkerchief tied to the left wrist / protruding from the left sleeve. You might see it with some of the styles of formal wear shown here - http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fas...ogy/index.html

My question is 'how retro is too retro?'. Could that look be pulled off in this day age?

Is it along the lines of 'for something that was in style in a given period, it looks out of place unless worn with dress clothes from that period?'

patrickBOOTH · Apr 22, 2010

I have no idea what you are referring to. Which pictures are you looking at?

Cary Grant · Apr 22, 2010

That's very old world. Here's an example:

I can never recall seeing a man with a hany in the sleeve. I still see women do it, especially during weddings/funerals to have handy for the tears.

Threak · Apr 22, 2010

I don't think it was common because it was "in style."

ZON_JR · Apr 22, 2010

I think you might get away with it if you were John Gielgud, but you're obviously not so good luck with it.

NinthCircle · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by Guy-Montag

Something I've seen worn with formal wear way back when (1700's-1800's?) was the pocket square / scarf / handkerchief tied to the left wrist / protruding from the left sleeve. '

I suspect this was 'in style' because men used snuff at the time and the hankie had to be ready for action at all times. Plus, you wouldn't want to stuff the nasty thing in your pocket...

Guy-Montag · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by ZON_JR

I think you might get away with it if you were John Gielgud, but you're obviously not so good luck with it.

If he could get away with wearing that, he could have gotten away with wearing anything.

Mildly eccentric, esoteric or retro is the target. Don't want to go beyond 'mild' though.

teddieriley · Apr 22, 2010

^^that place looks scary.

Guy-Montag · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by teddieriley

^^that place looks scary.

Faux Greek columns with Roman-style lintels, French furniture, British railings with a Romanesque ceiling? Yeah, that place would scare me too!

luftvier · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by NinthCircle

I suspect this was 'in style' because men used snuff at the time and the hankie had to be ready for action at all times. Plus, you wouldn't want to stuff the nasty thing in your pocket...

IIRC, snuff hankies were generally dark and patterned, so as to obscure the tobacco stains.

LabelKing · Apr 22, 2010

At that time, men also scented their handkerchiefs and would pull them out to sniff as a kind of cultivated affectation.

comrade · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by Guy-Montag

Something I've seen worn with formal wear way back when (1700's-1800's?) was the pocket square / scarf / handkerchief tied to the left wrist / protruding from the left sleeve. You might see it with some of the styles of formal wear shown here - http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fas...ogy/index.html

My question is 'how retro is too retro?'. Could that look be pulled off in this day age?

Is it along the lines of 'for something that was in style in a given period, it looks out of place unless worn with dress clothes from that period?'

Not just in the 1700s-1800s. I had a professor of literature at Cornell who was
British with a very plummy accent and kept a white handkerchief in his sleeve.
It was the 1960s and his name was Eric Blackall:

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/18/ob...l?pagewanted=1

cross22 · Apr 22, 2010

Guy-Montag · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by comrade

Not just in the 1700s-1800s. I had a professor of literature at Cornell who was
British with a very plummy accent and kept a white handkerchief in his sleeve.
It was the 1960s and his name was Eric Blackall:

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/18/ob...l?pagewanted=1

How did it come off when you saw it?

Cary Grant · Apr 22, 2010

Originally Posted by LabelKing

At that time, men also scented their handkerchiefs and would pull them out to sniff as a kind of cultivated affectation.

But also to hide odor, right? Gardyloo!

Pocket square / scarf / handkerchief in left sleeve?

Well-Known Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Classic Menswear Featured products

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Yes, I have a signature fragrance I wear every day

Yes, I have a signature fragrance but I don't wear it daily

No, I have several fragrances and rotate through them

I don't wear fragrance

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: