Few details speak with such quiet authority as the pocket square, or pochette as it is known in French. This small square of silk, linen or cotton transforms a jacket into a statement of elegance, providing the finishing flourish that distinguishes the best dressed.
A Brief History
The pocket square’s roots stretch back millennia. Ancient Egyptians carried small linen cloths, sometimes dyed or scented, as symbols of status and hygiene. Greeks used perfumed squares to mask urban odours, while Romans waved them at gladiatorial games. In medieval England, King Richard II is credited with popularising the handkerchief as a fashion item. By the 1400s, European nobility embraced embroidered silk and lace versions as markers of wealth. The modern pocket square emerged in the 19th century with the rise of the two-piece suit. Men moved the practical handkerchief from trouser pocket to breast pocket to keep it pristine, and the decorative pochette was born. Hollywood icons like Fred Astaire and James Cagney cemented its place in 20th-century style. Though it briefly fell out of favour in the casual 1980s and 90s, the pocket square has enjoyed a stylish renaissance. Today, it remains a cornerstone of formalwear, and our collections continue this storied tradition.
