Think of it this way, have you ever been to a more formal event, perhaps you’ve worn a pocket square, bow tie or tie that is not normally part of your everyday attire. If you're looking for a blue business pocket square, you can't go wrong with a navy blue pocket square and this is often where men tend to keep to more traditional and timeless designs for their suits; navy blue polka dots, fleur-de-lis patterned navy blue handkerchiefs and navy blue medallion handkerchiefs.

The reason this works so well in formal environments, is you still have the traditional white base, but having the variation will give your outfit that little bit more interest than a flat white colour. If cotton made, then it’s mostly fine to machine wash at the appropriate temperature but always best to check the care label or product details on site from your chosen retailer. You can iron your silk pocket square on a low heat but use a fabric over the top for ultimate care and protection. For the most part, they are interchangeable, however, we definitely would advise using the term pocket square. However, to truly benefit from it, you need to go just a little further up the scale from your normal dress level.Below are some examples of tie and pocket square combinations using three of the most popular jacket colours of navy, charcoal and brown.

Depending on your own personal style, if you choose to go for a more vibrant pattern with your suit then the more formal etiquette would be to go for a plainer pocket square design to provide balance. Firstly, a suit is a more formal option than a stand-alone jacket, therefore you will often be wearing it in a more formal environment. Whereas you could choose colours that are in high contrast with your jacket and use a more flamboyant fold that really catches the eye. Ultimately, the most important thing is to wear the pocket square in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

They are less shiny than silk and can be worn with a contrasting fabric like a tuxedo for a black-tie event, but a double-breasted linen jacket will also pair very well with a linen pocket square. For the most interesting pocket square designs, they can be used for tailored jacket linings to create something truly unique, which we outlined in our blog post here on jacket linings. Equally, you could choose a pocket square that is a shade lighter or darker than the core colour of your ensemble.

The extensive shades of blue available mean we have a huge range of blue pocket squares for every occasion, whether it be a job interview, business meeting or you're looking for a blue pocket square for groomsmen and the groom. Note the square in the below image complementing the shirt colour for a beautifully balanced look that is perfect for a corporate environment. This rule of thumb doesn't apply to linen or wool based squares as they're more structural fabrics, in which case, a 33cm x 33cm square works perfectly. Jewel tones such as yellow and gold also work well with black and portrays a sense of luxury and class.

This is explained by colour theory, where particular colours are more complementary to each other and are therefore more pleasing to the eye. Ties allow one to express his individuality without contradicting the conservative dress codes that exist in some work environments or social occasions. Even for those not normally known for their elegant dress sense, it is one of the few times each year they will be prepared to make a concerted effort. However, a traditional paisley pattern is an ornamental textile design using a teardrop-shaped flower motif with a curved upper end.

The origins of the plant date back to 1500 BCE across various locations such as Africa, Greece, Italy, and Central Asia. We like to keep a plain white silk pocket square for formal occasions, but even then like to mix it up with a little bit of texture or subtle variation in colour such as our ivory pocket square below which can be viewed here: White and Ivory Paisley Pocket Square. The paisley shape and design are classic across men's accessories, especially paisley pocket squares. Cotton pocket squares tend to be the most affordable since cotton is not an expensive material, however, they do not have the same panache or vitality of higher quality fabrics like silk or wool/silk. White squares work with every jacket and are a simple tie and pocket square combination creator, so you can never really get it wrong.With this, it really is a case of ‘the bolder the better’ so feel free to experiment with vibrant colours or eclectic prints, particularly in summer when you're more likely to be wearing lighter colours. Alternatively a square that is predominately white with either a coloured edging or light pattern provides a relatively conservative look that will work in all business environments. Our collection of the finest silk pocket squares includes a rich array of colours that can be easily paired with your tie of choice. But in Europe, it got its name from the Scottish weaver's town that produced magnificently colourful shawls.