Pocket squares offer quick and easy fashion upgrade
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’m trying to up my style game on the rare occasions that I venture out into the real world. To help me in this endeavor, my girlfriend gave me a silk pocket square. A couple questions: Are they “in” or “out” fashion-wise. What are the rules? How do I fold it? Should I even bother? Will I look stupid?
— Peter H.
Dear Peter: Unless you’re stuffing the pocket square into the breast pocket of a T-shirt, you won’t look stupid. In fact, your friend is on to something. Throwing on a jacket over a men’s dress shirt, then adding a pocket square is a pretty painless way of looking puttogether, and this look even works with well-fitting jeans (but not sweatpants!)
I’ll grant you that a pocket square is not for everyone. If you feel you look silly or foppish wearing one, forget it. Who wants to feel uncomfortable? But, if you are seriously thinking about adding this accessory to your style, you’ll find lots of reinforcement on the internet.
Pinterest features
“60+ Celebs With Pocket Squares.” A sampling:
Jon Hamm, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, Daniel Craig, David Beckham and Frank Sinatra. You’ll find a daunting number of online tutorials on how to fold them. And, they’re not just for fellas. I received a couple of pocket squares from a houseguest and I love the look of tying them on my purse strap.
Mine are from designer Richard Manville (rbmanville.com) and they’re awesome, colorful, creative and cool (and cost $80 for a 17-inch square). They come in
handsome packaging that includes some folding suggestions. Even a white handkerchief poking out of the pocket of a jacket — a look often seen with tuxedos (Idris Elba, for instance) but suitable for daywear too — can almost effortlessly boost your style points.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
Are extra buttons that are included with a new top ever used or are they just an added expense for manufacturers and consumers? I have never needed to use them, and I’ve asked my friends and they have never used them either! I think manufacturers can stop including them. What do you and your readers think?
— Carol L.
Dear Carol: No! I love the extra buttons that come with a new sweater, shirt, jacket, coat or blouse — especially if
the original buttons are fabric-covered or unusual and would be impossible to replace (thus requiring changing all the buttons if one is lost). If the extras come on a separate card I put all the cards in one place so I know where they are when I need them.
Ideally, the extra buttons are attached inside the garment so they’re easy to locate when you lose a button. I’ve often used the extras when repairing not just my clothes but, more often, kids’ play clothes which take a beating.
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail.com.