When should one wear a pocket square?

[yer_averagejoe]

Hi all,

I' in a state of indecision about wearing a handkerchief with my suit. I'm going to my girlfriend's graduation on Thursday and can't decide if wearing one will be a little too over the top or not. I understand that they're very much in fashion right now but I keep finding conflicting opinions on the Internet. Some say they're the perfect way to round off a suit, some say they're too common and worn usually by naive people - I definitely don't want to look naive, the suit looks great without one and it looks great with one albeit in a different way.

I'll be going to a wedding later in the year and I'll be more comfortable wearing one then, since it's the done thing at weddings. But for a graduation ceremony/ball?

The suit is charcoal grey, white shirt and a light purple tie. Was planning on using a white cotton hanky if that helps.

So, what do YOU do? Do you have any personal guidelines of your own regarding the pocket square?

Cheers!

 

[Nexus]

You can wear one anytime you wear a suit. The ones claiming people who wear them are naive are probably the purists who don't like that most people aren't following what is considered to be the correct rule of attire. By that, you are technically supposed to make your pocket square different to your tie colour. Many people though will match their tie colour, which I think looks ok, but apparently it's not cricket for the old school.

I would look at getting a decent silk one from any suit and tie place than an old white cotton hanky though.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

Interesting stuff Nexus...I'd go for a white one!

 

[Redz]

So, what do YOU do?

First thing I would do, would be to check whether the ball is a black tie event. These things quite often are, and you will stand out like a sore thumb if you are the only guy not wearing a dinner jacket.

 

[yer_averagejoe]

First thing I would do, would be to check whether the ball is a black tie event. These things quite often are, and you will stand out like a sore thumb if you are the only guy not wearing a dinner jacket.

Oh no It says "Dress code is formal – black tie or highland dress."

Does the formal part imply I'd be ok in my suit?

 

[neodude]

Get a kilt, sorted!

 

[Zero Pope]

Not really, formal in this sense I assume would be dinner suit. Or, as stated highland dress which would be kilt etc.

 

[Cosimo]

I've always thought they look a bit naff and have never worn one.

 

[carvegio]

They look quite smart and traditionally I think they were meant to match the shirt (match doesn't mean the same).

Can wear anytime with a nice blazer!

 

[Nexus]

Oh no It says "Dress code is formal – black tie or highland dress."

Does the formal part imply I'd be ok in my suit?

No.

Black Tie specifically means a Dinner Jacket (Tuxedo) and Bow Tie. For a Uni Ball, I doubt you would be turned away for just wearing a normal suit, but you might feel a little out of place if everyone else is wearing them having adhered to the dress code.

 

[LOAM]

Concentrate on pocket decoration, wear wrong suit......

 

[Skully]

I wore one to the office today.

 

[Skull]

If your suit is black a wing-tip collar shirt and bow tie would be fine.

 

[A.N.Other]

Black tie is black tie, not a lounge suit. Go buy one or rent something.

 

[yer_averagejoe]

Concentrate on pocket decoration, wear wrong suit......

I'll still be wearing my suit to the ceremony so the question still stands. Don't get smart.

 

[Bunka]

Whenever the **** you want. If you think you can pull it off then generally you can.

I'm a big fan of a fitted blazer & pocket square. Top it off with a cravat if the occasion permits.

 

[A.N.Other]

If your suit is black a wing-tip collar shirt and bow tie would be fine.

Negative. Wing collars are generally for white tie in the UK. Most people get this wrong, but that's not an excuse.