Fold a Pocket Square

Formal occasions such as weddings, interviews, or court appearances may require you to wear a suit or at least a jacket and tie. Part of this attire is a nicely folded handkerchief in the breast pocket of your jacket.

Steps

 * 1) Choose a handkerchief. The tie and handkerchief can match, but a purchased set can look cheap. To be a bit safer (and more suave), buy the tie and pocket square separately, but ensure that they complement each other.
 * 2) Iron the handkerchief.
 * 3) Fold it using one of the methods described below.

Method 1 - Straight Fold (Easiest)

 * 1) [[Image:IMG_0167_456.JPG|thumb]]Fold the handkerchief in half across, as shown.
 * 2) [[Image:IMG_0168_713.JPG|thumb]]Fold almost in half up, as shown.
 * 3) [[Image:IMG_0169_173.JPG|thumb]]Fold into thirds as shown and insert into pocket.

Method 2 - One Point Fold

 * 1) [[Image:IMG_0164_576.JPG|thumb]]Fold the handkerchief in half as shown.
 * 2) [[Image:IMG_0165_621.JPG|thumb]]Fold one corner about a third of the way across the center of the handkerchief.
 * 3) [[Image:IMG_0166_492.JPG|thumb]]Fold the other corner over the center.
 * 4) [[Image:IMG_0163_982.JPG|thumb]]Flip the folded handkerchief over and insert it into the jacket pocket. If it's too wide, you may need to fold it again so that it fits smoothly into the pocket.

Method 3 - Puff Pocket Square

 * 1)  Grasp the center of the handkerchief with the thumb and forefinger of your right hand.
 * 2)  Lift the handkerchief off of the surface, causing it to drape from where you are grasping it.
 * 3)  Lightly wrap your left hand around the draping fabric.
 * 4)  Move your left hand down while gently squeezing the material until you have reached the bottom of the handkerchief.  This is called 'fluting'.
 * 5)  Tighten your left hand enough to hold the handkerchief.
 * 6)  Let go with your right hand. The handkerchief should now be sticking out of your left hand.  It should kind of look like you are holding a tapered candle.
 * 7)  Fold the top of the handkerchief over your left thumb with your right hand.
 * 8)  Grab the folded handkerchief with your right hand, being sure to keep its folded flute intact, and remove your left hand.
 * 9)  Rotate the handkerchief so that the fold is now toward the bottom.
 * 10)  [[Image:Empty suits 38.jpg|thumb]]Stuff the fold down into your breast pocket.

Method 4 - Staircase Fold

 * 1)  [[Image:Stairfold1.png|thumb]] Start with the handkerchief in a diamond.
 * 2)  [[Image:Stairfold2.png|thumb]] Fold the lower point up to meet the top point.  This will give you a large triangle as in the image.
 * 3)  [[Image:Stairfold3.png|thumb]] Now fold down the top layer, leaving about an inch or so strip at the bottom.
 * 4)  [[Image:Stairfold4.png|thumb]] Fold the lower point up again.  This time making the fold at about half the thickness of the strip below it.
 * 5)  [[Image:Stairfold5.png|thumb]] Fold the point down again.  Still leave about an inch strip again, as in the image.
 * 6)  [[Image:Stairfold6.png|thumb]] Fold the lower point up again.  As before, make the fold at about the middle of the previous strip.  When you are done with the folding, you should be looking at something similar to the image at right.  Some people would suggest ironing the folds at this point.  This is more of a personal preference.  Ironing will flatten and hold the folds, not ironing allows the folds to have more depth.
 * 7)  [[Image:Stairfold7.png|thumb]] Fold the entire thing in half, right to left so that the folds are on the outside.  In the image, the right half was folded under to the left.
 * 8)  [[Image:Stairfold8.png|thumb]] Rotate the entire thing around so that the folds are on the right side of the triangle (135 degrees counterclockwise).
 * 9)  [[Image:Stairfold9.png|thumb]] Fold the left point over to the right, roughly a third of the way.  Or until the new edge lines up nicely with the folds.
 * 10)  [[Image:Stairfold10.png|thumb]] Fold the right point over to the left.  This step and the previous step can adjust the overall width of the final form by adjusting how far over you fold the sides.
 * 11)  [[Image:Stairfold11.png|thumb]] Stuff the handkerchief into your pocket and adjust the height.  The height can be adjusted by folding up the bottom as needed to accommodate the pocket: [[Image:Pocketsquareexample.jpg|thumb|300px|A finished staircase fold example]]

Tips

 * If your handkerchief sags after you flute it, try ironing your handkerchief with a little starch. You don't absolutely have to have an upright flute, but it does look better.
 * If your folded handkerchief is so small that it keeps disappearing into your pocket, use a little tissue in the bottom of the pocket to take up some room. Don't use so much that it causes a bulge.
 * For a clean, Italian look, use a cotton or linen handkerchief and fold into a square shape. Use the long side of a playing card to approximate the width of the pocket square and use an iron to make it extra clean.
 * Keep dress for court appearances conservative and neat. Flashy accessories or excessively bold colors may subtly influence judges, attorneys, or juries in negative ways. When in doubt, leave the pocket square out.

Things You'll Need

 * Suit jacket or sports jacket with an external breast pocket.
 * Handkerchief.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Tie a Tie
 * How to Tie a Bow Tie
 * How to Tie a Silk Scarf
 * How to Tie a Bandana