How To Fold A Pocket Square

There's a party coming up.

Awesome…

…except you're running late!

So you rush to get yourself changed.

And you're about to leave the house…

But wait.

Your suit jacket looks…BARE

It needs a little spicing up!

How?

What can do at this point – when you've got no time to even catch your breath?

I'll tell you what:

Use a pocket square

…with a puff fold.

It's EASY to do – perfect for men who are on the go.

Main characteristics:

A soft, organic shape
Casual and relaxed appearance
Goes best with sports jackets/casual suits
Awesome for bright-colored/patterned squares

Keep reading to learn how to make this unique type of pocket square fold.

Sports jackets, blazers, formal and casual suits have made quite a comeback these days. That's because more and more men are realizing the downsides to wearing t-shirts or wife-beaters all the time. They're not as classy and appropriate for different occasions the way jackets and suits are.

And yet – most guys who wear a jacket or suit tend to “settle” with how the clothing piece looks. It doesn't cross their minds to enhance it with a pocket square. Some have never even tried folding one!

Most typical pocket square folds are firmly geometric. They're done in a manner which displays straight edges and sharp, well-defined angles.

But the puff fold is a style that breaks away from the traditional model. It has a refreshingly soft and organic shape – with wrinkles that add to its character.

It's certainly a great accessory for casual suits and sports jackets. And it does work best on pocket squares with a distinct pattern or bright color (perfect for weddings and dinner parties during the summer).

However, there's one concern I've heard guys mention about pocket squares: drawing more attention to themselves than usual. And I think that's the wrong mindset – because you've already made yourself stand out by simply wearing a jacket! So it's just a matter of taking your outfit to the next level.

If you don't make an effort to personalize what you're wearing – you'll run the risk of coming off like your clothes are wearing you, instead of the other way around. So that's the beauty of pocket squares with less formal-looking folds like the puff.

They bring out more of your personality. People will notice you more and want to strike up a conversation. There's a lot of good that can spring from wearing a simple squarish cloth. Don't underestimate it.

Here are the instructions for forming a pocket square puff fold…

How To Fold A Pocket Square: The Puff Fold – Step #1

Start by laying the pocket square on a flat surface – with the outside facing up. Use one hand to gently pinch it at the center (making sure that no other part of the fabric gets wrinkled up).

How To Fold A Pocket Square: The Puff Fold – Step #2

Gently lift the pocket square off the table – letting the edges and corners hang down. Then take a moment to adjust the hang of the fabric (so as to keep things relatively even all around).

How To Fold A Pocket Square: The Puff Fold – Step #3

While still pinching the center in one hand, use your other hand to tug gently on the dangling edges. This will mold the pocket square into a loose tubular shape.

How To Fold A Pocket Square: The Puff Fold – Step #4

Use that same non-pinching hand to gather the fabric and fold it more or less in half, length-wise.

Then very gently roll it up from the bottom of the tube until the folded square is short enough to be tucked into your jacket's breast pocket. The dome-like shape that's created is meant to be exposed. Alternatively, you can also fold all the dangling edges back behind the tube.

Whichever method you choose – the goal is for a simple, puffed-out dome to be left visible (with as least of a bulge as possible in the pocket beneath it).

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How To Fold A Pocket Square: The Puff Fold – Final Step

It's time to tuck the pocket square into your jacket's breast pocket. Make sure that it goes deep enough to allow just the rounded top of the fold to be seen.

You can make some slight adjustments (in terms of how much of the dome-like shape will be visible) until you're satisfied with its final appearance.

Click Here To View The FULL Infographic – How To Fold A Pocket Square: Puff Fold

The Puff Fold – Additional Reminders

Puff folds are prone to having small wrinkles and dimples in them, which is really part of the style. So don't be tempted to fiddle with those details too much.
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As long as the visible part of the puff fold stays in its place – and isn't badly creased or spilling out over the edges of the pocket – the entire thing should work.
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There are no strict rules regarding how much of the pocket square has to be shown. But avoid the extremes of (A) too much fabric hanging out and (B) too little fabric exposed – since the pocket square might slip back into your pocket and disappear.
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Bear in mind that it's best to tuck the pocket square neatly behind your jacket lapel. I wouldn't recommend letting it spill out in front. It doesn't look appropriate (even in casual settings).