Tuesday 4 August 2009

The Pocket Square Post





   It really wasn't meant to be a week's gap between posts

   When it comes down to it, I'm not one much given to thinking so very hard about my clothing choices and the way my ensembles present themselves. Anyone who knows me would likely say that I'm not exactly one for consequences or results, and this is somewhat true of the way I wear - outfits just pop into being, like a bubble perhaps, or a manufactured pop group. They share a particular trait with mayflies, which is to be too brief in their existence to outstay their welcome

   But like mayflies, there does exist a certain consistency. Which in this case, according to a friend of mine who has dissected this habit in the text below, would be my pocket squaring and its ability to remain notable in a potpourri of colourful vestments that forces the eyes to focus, women and small children to stare, and the critical mind to whir into action and prepare a thesis that usually emerges as "Great!" or "Not good"

   So, big puffy folds - take it away, YF:

"If you use a fairly large pocket square in a soft, supple silk, you should be able to achieve one. If it's a vintage find, the age of the silk may help a bit too in terms of softness"

   And on the topic of folds that escape in all directions:

"For the second one, a lighter silk pocket square with rolled edges will do that quite easily"

   But how to get the maximum effect from your pocket adornments? How, indeed:


"It also depends a little bit on your jacket; there is a bit of leeway in how much "slack" there is in the pocket in the design. A little bit of slack is a lot better for the big puffy types. My suits' chest pockets are pretty tight; most larger squares are a nuisance. On the plus side, my TV folds are really ... straight


"However, these are just technical gaps. The actual art of folding ... well, it's a mystery"

   For anyone looking to unfurl that mystery as they would a little slip of printed silk to enliven a jacket, here's a YouTube video to waste 59 seconds with

   This post is also for Marco. Because you did enquire, fellow

NP: John Powell - Happy Feet Score

9 comments:

Syed said...

One of the most underrated accessories today, but able to make such an incredible difference to any outfit. I am still working on different folds for each of my suits and pocketsquares, but I am definitely straying over to patterned as opposed to my preferred single colour options. Fantastic post :)

shirtboy2 said...

Hey hello Barima,

WOOOOW MAN YOU HAVE CHANGED AND TRANSFORMED THAT GORGIOUS RED INTERNO 8 SHIRT WITH MARVELOUS HIGH COLLAR INTO A VERY TOTALY AND DIFFERENT NEW STYLE MAN, COOOOL I LIKE THE NEW STYLE TOO!!!! YOU SAY THAT THE HIGH COLLAR HAS BEEN RENDERED INSIDE OUT BUT I MUST SAY THAT'S NOT CLEARELY VISABLE AT THIS PICTURE IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOU HAVE MORE PICTURES WHERE WE CAN SEE IT MUCH BETTER AND MAYBE SOME MORE PICTURE OF HOW THE SHIRT WAS BEFORE??? DO YOU STILL HAVE THIS SHIRT AND DO YOU WEAR IT FROM TO TIME????? OOH YES AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 2 OTHER INTERNO 8 SHIRTS, DID THEY GET A TRANSFORMATION AS WELL? IF SO ARE THERE ALSO PICS FROM IT???? ;)

ADG said...

Barima...excellent post. I wouldn't think of leaving home without something in the breastpocket of my coat.

Onward

ADG

Paul Pincus said...

really terrific post, sir!!

WinstonC said...

Excellent Barima, excellent.

Katia said...

Omg this is perfect, me and my boyfriend almost got him a pocket square for prom but he already had a bowtie and it looked wierd? I don't know, but this is good for next time :)

Barima said...

Cheers, all. I'm grateful for the response, though I must reiterate that I only handled the visual side of the job

Shirtboy, the Interno8 shirt will reappear when I've crafted a decent look to go with it. The other two have been left alone for now

shirtboy2 said...

OK COOL MAN!!! Do you have some better pics too, because the changement of the collar is realy not clearly visable at the picture! OOOH MAN I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE OTHER SHIRTS TOO! ;)

Snappylifestyle said...

Loving the blog..you should check out my post on pocket squares and folds @
http://snappylifestyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-you-know-how-to-look-snappy-with.html

cheers
snappy

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