Don’t Be A (Pocket) Square

square“Don’t be a square,” Mia tells Vincent in Quentin Tarentino’s 1994 Pulp Fiction.

But Mia got it wrong, or mostly. Being square and by that we mean wearing a finely tailored pocket square is definitely the hip thing to do today.

The first pocket squares, made of bleached white linen, were reportedly found in Egypt dating to as early as 2,000 BC. Archeological evidence also suggests that the wealthiest of the ancient Greeks carried perfumed cotton handkerchiefs and in Roman times, small handkerchiefs made of silk or linen were given by the emperor to Roman citizens as ‘tokens of applause’ at games.

Pocket squares entered the world of fashion when that most lovable of queens Marie Antoinette asked her husband Louise XVI to change the size of handkerchiefs. According to legend, the king decreed that a smaller square was more fashionable than a messy handkerchief.

Unlike handkerchiefs, pocket squares are never meant for using. They are, pulpinstead, emblems of gentlemanly manners, a sartorial detail that add polish and sophisticated finish to any suit.

There are as many ways to fold a pocket square as possible colors and fabric choices. Knot Standard prefers the sophisticated look of the one, two, three (but not the four) fold as well as the flat pocket fold.

Choose a few of your favorite colors from Knot Standard’s line of silk pocket squares. And check back soon for our big announcement on custom-made pocket squares that will be the hottest new thing in bespoke fashion.

Suits with Squares Suits with Squares Suits with Squares