How to Fold a Handkerchief for a Sport Coat

One of the easiest ways to dress up a sport coat is to insert a pocket square into the pocket. A pocket square is the formal term for a folded handkerchief that is usually color coordinated with the man's tie or shirt color. Ways to fold a pocket square include a square fold, a one-point fold and a puff fold. Different men prefer different folds, and no one fold is better than another.

Instructions

1. Unfold your handkerchief and lay it open on a flat surface. Position the handkerchief so that one point is facing you.

2. Grasp the bottom corner of the handkerchief and fold it upward until it is aligned with the corner at the top of the handkerchief. The result is a triangular shape with the flat bottom of the triangle facing toward you.

3. Grasp the left corner of the handkerchief and fold it over to the right, stopping approximately 3 inches away from the right corner of the handkerchief.

4. Fold the right corner of the handkerchief over to the left and extend it past the left edge of the handkerchief. Look at the top corner of the handkerchief and make sure that it is perfectly in proportion. Adjust the left corner until the top of the handkerchief is the desired width.

5. Fold the extra flap on the left side of the handkerchief around the left edge and underneath the handkerchief.

6. Fold the entire lower edge of the handkerchief upward, stopping just below the triangular tip at the top of the handkerchief.

7. Insert the folded handkerchief into the pocket of the sport coat with the pointed tip facing upward.

Tips & Warnings

• These steps describe how to create a one-point handkerchief fold. You can also make a square fold and puff fold as described in the link in "Resources."

Resources

• Art of Manliness: How to Fold a Pocket Square