I Don't Care What Anybody Says

[Hal]

The tie and pocket square seems to be just a part of the rest of one's attire. I do see some men that will wear a pocket square and NO tie at all.

Pocket square without tie I find utterly bizarre and "wrong way round". Surely the pocket square is farther UP the formality scale than the tie? I accept that this may be a UK/USA cultural difference; pocket squares are, on the whole, rarer in the UK than across the Atlantic, and many (myself included) only wear one (and then only a plain white one) for occasions like weddings and funerals. I also think that the prejudice against the tie (even now) is less here than in the USA, and may indeed be receding.

There may be a time and place for picture perfect "form" when it comes to being dressed properly...and then the rest of the time when you can be dressed decently and the way you want to look, "rules be damned".

With this I emphatically agree.

 

[AntonAAK]

Pocket square without tie I find utterly bizarre and "wrong way round". Surely the pocket square is farther UP the formality scale than the tie?

I don't see them as related at all. I never wear a jacket without a pocket square, whether or not I am wearing a tie. That pocket just looks naked without one. Formality doesn't come into it - it's a purely aesthetic decision.

 

[PHIL1959]

I always sport a silk pocket square while wearing a suit or jacket,but rarely a tie,and never a matching square/tie.unless its a formal do I'm attending.
the pocket square seams to be making a come back!

 

[Hat Dandy]

Until recently, I've rarely used a pocket square with my jacket ensembles. I noticed them more lately so I donned a couple. I don't attempt to match them with a tie. Does anyone have a preference to how to fold one? I generally like the 2 point fold.

 

[Hal]

I don't see them as related at all. I never wear a jacket without a pocket square, whether or not I am wearing a tie. That pocket just looks naked without one. Formality doesn't come into it - it's a purely aesthetic decision.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more! The sheer incongruity of the pocket square with the tieless-but-jacketed look is breathtaking. I LOATHE the frequent contemporary look of jacket with open-necked shirt; to me it's sloppy and unfinished (and was considered "bad form" in my formative years); I don't see how a pocket square, however aesthetic, can overcome that.

I always sport a silk pocket square while wearing a suit or jacket,but rarely a tie,and never a matching square/tie.unless its a formal do I'm attending. the pocket square seams to be making a come back!

We need a tie come-back before that!

 

[esteban68]

What about an open neck shirt with a cravat, pocket square and jacket?......and yes I too have noticed more pocket squares being worn with and without ties here in the UK!

 

[Stanley Doble]

Let Mr. Tebbs of Grace Brothers settle the question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJCYVerNMDI

 

[jamespowers]

Let Mr. Tebbs of Grace Brothers settle the question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJCYVerNMDI

I do it that way already.

 

[metropd]

I believe that matching a tie to a pocket square is in poor taste. It always detracts from the desired effect of elegance. This rule should always be followed.

 

[esteban68]

It's the only one I use "the flute" apart from a plain fold in a white square for funerals.....I'd forgot how funny Are you being served was!

 

[Hal]

What about an open neck shirt with a cravat, pocket square and jacket?...!

I don't do this myself - the only time I don't wear a tie with a jacket is when I wear a roll-neck pullover (alias turtle-neck) - but I find it quite acceptable.

 

[esteban68]

I struggle with wool next to my skin so though I quite like the look of them I don't wear roll necks even crew necks are somewhat irritating V or U necks are ok....I have been wearing cravats more and more over the last couple of years and find them to be a good solution in winter rather than an open neck shirt, I've had some very nice comments especially from the ladies 're wearing cravats .