I am reading many different opinions online about whether the pocket square matches the tie or the shirt. Any advice?
The pocket square.
- Thread starter DaveNJ74
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Complement but not match. Unless we are talking about a nice, rolled-edge white linen one.
Over kill, but some nice pictures http://www.styleforum.net/t/228536/pocket-squares-a-discussion-thread-questions-opinions-suggestions
- Thread starter
- #4
So not to " match " the tie or shirt but to have a similar color in it to compliment. Makes sense but I do see pictures of matching ties and pocket squares and it does look good.
Please don't match. The square is where you can be creative. It should compliment the tie. Purple and green go great together, blue and red, blue and orange etc. Here is what I wore yesterday for a Christmas party. The blazer should actually be navy. Burgundy grenadine tie with a white linen square with red tip:
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Lookin' good!
Above all else, make sure that your PS is a different material/pattern/colour than your tie. If it looks like they made your PS from the same bolt of cloth as the tie ... you fail.
Beyond that ... select your PS the same way you do your tie ... something that looks good with the rest of what you are wearing. Maybe pick out some colours from your tie and PS to tie them together, or maybe not. As long as you don't look at yourself in the mirror and think "that's fugly", you are doing okay.
Beyond that ... select your PS the same way you do your tie ... something that looks good with the rest of what you are wearing. Maybe pick out some colours from your tie and PS to tie them together, or maybe not. As long as you don't look at yourself in the mirror and think "that's fugly", you are doing okay.
Here's two observations I've made concerning dress in general: No offense is meant to anyone - I just think its funny.
1. People who do not know how to dress think that everything has to match; color, pattern, etc. they buy "boxed" sets at Marshall's that include a shirt, tie, and pocket square. Americans are the biggest offenders and can be spotted easily when out of the country because of their tube socks and sneakers.
2. The best dressers; designers, models, celebrities, etc. NEVER seem to "match" anything, but it looks cool. Check out the link above, or any fashion magazine to prove this point.
By the way, I'm an American, so I know.
1. People who do not know how to dress think that everything has to match; color, pattern, etc. they buy "boxed" sets at Marshall's that include a shirt, tie, and pocket square. Americans are the biggest offenders and can be spotted easily when out of the country because of their tube socks and sneakers.
2. The best dressers; designers, models, celebrities, etc. NEVER seem to "match" anything, but it looks cool. Check out the link above, or any fashion magazine to prove this point.
By the way, I'm an American, so I know.
I vote complement not match. I usually lean toward the tie side
Because I wear only bow ties that are usually a bit colorful, my pocket squares tend to just pick up one of the colors in the tie, or maybe come close to it. I have found though that when I wear one of my blue blazers, I tend to just automatically pick up one of my red or maroon pocket squares, and when I wear my olive tweed jacket, I tend to reach for a cream silk pocket square that has a good texture to compliment the tweed rather than worrying about the color of the tie.
I like the first post in the link that john parker posted, I think as a pocket square beginner I'll grab some plain white squares to start with.
Check out some patterns at www.samhober.com. I haven't ordered anything from them yet but they have a nice selection of patterns that might give you some ideas.
It can match either. And not the exact same as either. A great look is a powder blue square with a blue shirt and yellow tie under navy jacket.
I have a range, but I am old school by inclination, and reach for the white linen all the time.
I have a range, but I am old school by inclination, and reach for the white linen all the time.
