Fashion Today: How to express your style despite a conservative dress code

Pocket squares

The pocket square, like your tie, is an excellent place to introduce some color and pattern into your outfit without turning any heads for the wrong reason.

There are no specific rules for what your pocket square should match; in fact, your pocket square should simply complement your shirt and tie, not match them. That means that you can avoid overthinking which fabrics are alright to wear together, and simply choose a pocket square that echoes the other colors in your outfit.

The simplest pocket square is made of plain white linen, which is suitable for any occasion. (If you want to really commit to the look, choose one with hand-rolled edges — Jesse at Put This On explains why.)

Alternatively, you can find pocket squares in solid colors in fabrics like silk or more textured versions like linen, in a huge variety of patterns from summery gingham to polka dots.

Some fabrics are pretty seasonal — think wool in winter and linen in summer — while others can be worn year-round — chambray is a versatile choice. There are a number of different ways to fold your pocket square, though you typically don’t want to do anything too complex or showy. Like your other accessories, the pocket square should be an accent, not the focal point of an ensemble.