A silk pocket square is one of the smallest things a man can wear and one of the most powerful. This guide covers what a pocket square is, how to wear one, how to fold one, and why it remains the most rewarding accessory a man can own.
What is a silk pocket square?
A pocket square is a small square of fabric worn in the breast pocket of a jacket, suit, or blazer. Its purpose is primarily aesthetic: it is the finishing detail that signals a considered approach to dressing. The term became widely used in the twentieth century, popularised in the United States, and it is the terminology adopted by Laslett England, who supplied Bloomingdale's in New York for four years.
The pocket square and the handkerchief are often confused. The handkerchief is functional: it lives in a trouser pocket. The pocket square is decorative: it belongs in the breast pocket and is not intended for use. The distinction matters, because a pocket square deserves to be chosen with the same care as a tie or a pair of shoes.
Why wear a silk pocket square?
As men's workwear has become more relaxed and the tie has largely disappeared from daily life, the pocket square has stepped in to fill the gap. It introduces colour, pattern, and individuality to a suit or jacket without requiring the formality of a tie. It is, in the words of the Italians, an exercise in sprezzatura: studied carelessness, the art of looking effortlessly well-dressed.
Melanie Laslett puts it directly: "Don't underestimate the power of a pocket square to elevate your look. It doesn't have to be a showy statement. It's more about adding a stylish finishing touch that completes your whole outfit."
A printed silk pocket square does something a plain one cannot: it carries a design. Each Laslett England pocket square has a pattern engineered specifically into the canvas of the square, framed with a border, and finished with a fine stitched edge. The result is not simply a piece of fabric but a small work of art, considered from corner to corner.
What fabric should a pocket square be?
Silk is the finest choice. It holds colour vibrantly, catches the light beautifully, and has a natural weight that allows it to fold and sit well in a pocket. Laslett England pocket squares are crafted from 100% silk, printed and finished in England.
How do you fold a silk pocket square?
There is no single correct fold, but for a printed pocket square the puff fold is the most effective. It allows the colours and pattern to show without imposing a rigid structure on the fabric.
To achieve the puff fold: lay the pocket square flat, pinch the fabric from the centre and lift it upwards, then use your other hand to gather the fabric loosely beneath the puff. Twist gently underneath to secure the shape, then place it in the breast pocket and adjust until you are happy with how much of the puff is showing. The classic finish is a soft semicircle sitting just above the pocket. The nature of the fold means you can be as restrained or as relaxed as you like.
If you wear a tie, one of the colours in the pocket square should echo it. If you do not wear a tie, the pocket square stands alone and can carry more personality. The rule worth keeping is this: avoid matching exactly. Coordinate rather than replicate.
How do you style a silk pocket square?
A pocket square works with a tuxedo, a suit, a blazer, or a casual jacket. It works at a wedding, at the office, at the races, and at the weekend. The versatility of a good printed design is one of its underrated qualities: a single pocket square can work across several jackets in your wardrobe, because a well-chosen pattern finds common ground with more than one colour.
Some men become collectors. A pocket square is the kind of object that rewards that instinct: small enough to store easily, distinctive enough to remember, and crafted well enough to last. Laslett England pocket squares are designed with exactly that in mind.
Each one arrives in a signature red gift box, which makes it as good a gift as it is a personal purchase. A silk pocket square is among the most considered gifts you can give a man who takes pride in how he dresses.
A final thought
If you are going to add one accessory to your wardrobe, make it a silk pocket square. It takes seconds to put on, costs a fraction of a new suit, and does more for your appearance than almost anything else you could choose.
Always designed and made in England.
