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The Insider Pick:
Pocket squares are a fun accessory that can add some flair or old-school class to your suit. If you only ever buy one pocket square in your lifetime, make it J.Crew's hand-rolled linen white pocket square. It's classic, it goes with everything, and it's very well made.
When pocket squares burst back onto the menswear scene in recent years, more than a few people thought they were just another short-lived style fad, but now that the dust has settled, it’s obvious that this classic men’s accessory is here to stay. Like cufflinks and tie bars, this old suit staple almost went the way of the dinosaur in the 20th century owing to relaxed dress standards and general lack of interest.
Thankfully, the tide is turning. The internet has spawned a renewed love for classic menswear, and younger generations of guys are rediscovering the old ways. If you've already got your suits, shirts, and ties squared away, then it’s time to add a few pocket squares to your stable.
Pocket squares provide an opportunity to have a little bit of fun with your outfit or to spice up an otherwise conservative suit ensemble. We’ll get into more detailed style advice when looking at our top picks, but let’s knock one faux pas out right away: Don’t try and match your pocket square to your tie. Instead, pick a pocket square that subtly complements a color that's already in your necktie or dress shirt.
Our favorite pocket squares cover all the style bases, from the indispensable white pocket square to more colorful options. All of our picks feature quality fabrics and construction and come from some of our own favorite menswear brands.
Read on in the slides below to learn why the J. Crew white linen pocket square is our top pick and why you should also consider the Nordstrom Rack gingham pocket square, the Brooks Brothers tartan pocket square, the Tie Bar tipped pocket square, and the Charles Tyrwhitt paisley pocket square.
The best white pocket square
Why you'll love it: J. Crew's high-quality solid white pocket square is made with English linen, making it one of the most timeless pieces of menswear you can own.
The first principle of menswear is timeless style, but there are a handful of icons that stand out among the rest, including the simple white pocket square. It looks great, it goes with everything, it’s almost always appropriate, and it’ll never go out of style. If you only ever buy and wear one pocket square in your life, get this white pocket square from J Crew.
J. Crew has stepped up its suit game in recent years, offering a great lineup of tailored menswear and accessories, including our top pick for the best pocket square. Hand-crafted in the UK, this pocket square is made of linen that's sourced from an old English mill.
The rolled edges lend the cloth a nice body and a neat, soft look at the tips, as opposed to more cheaply-made examples that are folded over and machine-stitched.
The linen cloth also features just a hint of off-white creaminess and a distinct texture that gives it a visual character unique from flat white cotton.
At $42, the J. Crew linen pocket square is a little pricey compared to our other picks, but given its unmatched versatility and English pedigree, it’s more than worth it. Every man needs at least one high-quality white pocket square, so you may as well make it a good one.
Pros: Timeless and versatile style, quality English craftsmanship with hand-rolled edges, and the woven linen lends the pocket square a distinct look and feel
Cons: The linen is a bit less substantial than cotton, and it’s fairly expensive
Buy the J. Crew white pocket square for $42
The best gingham pocket square
Why you'll love it: Gingham is particularly well-suited for bright spring and summer colors, and this super-affordable silk square from Nordstrom Rack is perfect.
After you’ve got a nice solid white pocket square, it’s time to start adding some color to your suiting arsenal. Subtle patterns like gingham are a great way to do this without resulting in an ensemble that’s too visually busy or loud. Gingham is also a hugely popular choice for spring and summer shirts and accessories, as the simple pattern works beautifully with lighter shades and pastels.
Among the entire field of menswear, pocket squares are probably the one thing you really don’t need to be fussy about spending good money on so long as the quality is there. You’ll generally get just as much enjoyment and style out of a $10 square as you will a high-end one that costs $100 or more, as this gingham number from Nordstrom Rack proves.
This 100% silk square looks great and is super-affordable without cutting corners where it counts. Rolled edges offer a soft look, and the solid-colored border adds an extra splash of color for when you want forgo the standard presidential fold for a more adventurous pointed fold that shows off the corners of the pocket square.
You’ve got a large number of different color options here, but our recommendation would be sky blue or pink, which are both a great complement to lighter spring and summer suits.
However, there’s no reason to avoid darker colors like navy blue or burgundy, which also work extremely well with gingham. At only $10, you may as well grab two or three of these Nordstrom silk squares to add to your stable.
Pros: It’s made of 100% silk, the gingham pattern is highly versatile and perfect for spring and summer outfits, you’ve got a ton of color options, and it’s a great value at only $10
Cons: Silk is a little fussier than linen or cotton when it comes to cleaning
Buy the Nordstrom Rack gingham pocket square for $10
The best plaid pocket square
Why you'll love it: With its classic and striking tartan plaid pattern, this cotton pocket square from Brooks Brothers should be your go-to pick for dark- and earth-toned jackets.
Plaid, also frequently referred to as “tartan,” has been worn for centuries, originating in the British Isles and dating back to the early Middle Ages. It’s now worn worldwide and remains popular today for one simple reason: It looks fantastic and is extremely versatile.
Plaids with dark reds, greens, and black are especially common, particularly for fall and winter clothing and accessories, so it’s only fitting that our pick features a great-looking Stewart tartan that shows off these colors. This Brooks Brothers pocket square is made of cotton and strikes the perfect color balance, not veering too far into monotone territory with its great-looking red, black, and green plaid accented with subtle touches of blue, white, and yellow.
Of course, there’s no real reason you can’t wear this Brooks Brothers tartan square year-round, and given how attractive it is, you’ll probably want to. Think dark grays like charcoal or earth-tones like olive and brown. Tweed and herringbone jackets are also just asking to be worn with this, as are your thick wool ties.
The Stewart plaid adds a nice splash of deep color while still remaining suitably conservative and warm-toned for a fall or winter ensemble. At only $20, there’s no reason that the Brooks Brothers tartan pocket square shouldn’t be the one you reach for when the clouds roll out and Old Man Winter rears his hoary head.
Pros: The Stewart tartan pattern is perfect for fall and winter suits and jackets, the square adds a touch of warm color without being garish, and it’s a solid value at $20
Cons: The embroidered Golden Fleece logo is unnecessary
Buy the Brooks Brothers tartan pocket square for $20
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