How to Fold a Handkerchief for a Suit

A suit or sports jacket looks unfinished without a handkerchief in the pocket, whether you're wearing a tie or not. Try a few of these different folds to obtain the best look for you.

Instructions

1. Lay the handkerchief on a flat surface, pick up each corner and fold them over, having the two outside points longer than the inside points. Place the puffed end inside the pocket, leaving the points showing.

2. Pick the handkerchief up at the center, leaving the four points hanging down, over the edge of the pocket. Grasp the four corners, fold them over and insert them inside the pocket, allowing the puffy part to fill the opening. You may have to fluff it out a bit to get the right effect.

3. Fold the handkerchief into a triangle, having the fold facing you. Meet the lower left corner with the lower right corner, by folding the triangle in half. Fold the triangle in half again by meeting the lower right corner with the upper left point. Work with the three points until they're all even, and fold the bottom left point inwards so the folded handkerchief will fit into your pocket.

4. Practice folding your handkerchief and come up with some of your own original designs. On the other hand, you may want to stick with the basic look from the 1950s. Fold the square until it's the right size to fit into your pocket, with about 1 inch showing above it. This fold requires a sharp, straight square and may benefit from a little bit of pressing with a steam iron.

Tips & Warnings

• When selecting handkerchiefs, choose a variety of colors and designs that you enjoy, rather than buying ones made from the same fabric as your tie.

• Don't let your monograms show and only leave about 1 inch to peak out of the pocket for the best effect.