Originally, this piece of fabric was nothing more than a scented handkerchief used to ensure nasal hygiene by Ancient Greeks, the French nobility, and even Richard II of England. It wasn’t until the 19th century that it migrated from the trouser pocket to the breast pocket of a suit jacket, and in the 1920s, it became a simple fashion accessory. A few decades later, Cary Grant and Gary Cooper would turn it into an enduring symbol of elegance.
The pocket square is a refined accessory that, when worn properly, brings contrast or brightness to a silhouette. It can also draw the eye upward, away from the waist and toward the chest—a detail that can be quite flattering in certain cases.
It can be worn with all types of jackets—blazers, suit jackets, city, urban casual, or evening wear (for the latter, go for solid colors).
