The style is all in the fold...

In addition to the color, design, and fabric of the Belisi pocket square, the way this handkerchief-like clothing accessory is folded plays a not-so-minor roll in deciding the overall look of the square. There are a number of folding techniques for pocket squares. The choice of the fold depends upon the fabric, size of the square, and the depth of the coat’s left breast pocket into which the pocket square is inserted. The folding techniques increase the aesthetic appeal of the square and also ensure that the shape of the fold is retained for a long period of time. Truly, ‘folding a pocket square’ can have multiple connotations.

Popular folding techniques include the Astaire fold, Presidential fold, Cooper Fold, Cagney fold, TV Fold, one-point fold, two-point fold, three-point fold, four-point fold, puff fold, reverse puff fold, straight shell fold, diagonal shell fold, and Winged Puff fold.

The Astaire fold is a simple fold that involves lifting the pocket square from the middle forming a puff with the four ends of the pocket square hanging loose. After two ends are lifted in line with the top and the other ends are folded in, the square is now inserted into the pocket. The Presidential fold, as the name suggests, is no-nonsense official fold. The fold requires folding the squares into quarters with the open ends being oriented towards the upper right. The square is then folded from the left parallel to the right edge. The bottom part is then folded upwards to the desired extent and slipped into the pocket. The Cooper fold is a fluffy fold that is created with the square being pressed into a cupped hand and then pushed in this manner into the coat’s pocket. The Cagney fold has a unique attraction displaying many peaks. For this fold, you would place the pocket square on a surface with one pair of opposite points being laid out in a top-down manner. Next, fold the lower part towards the upper part forming a half. Next, fold the left point towards the upper right. Do the same with the opposite side. After a few more such overlapping folds, the pocket square can be inserted into the pocket. The TV fold is both simple and stylish and looks similar to the Presidential fold. The one-point fold, two-point fold, three-point fold, four-point fold are also versatile folds that are suitable for most occasions. For the puff fold, you would need to lick up the pocket square from the middle and lift up the loose ends. The pocket square can now be placed in the pocket with the puff being proudly displayed. The reverse puff, as the name suggests, is the opposite of the puff fold. In order to execute the Straight Shell pocket square fold, the square is folded into quarters with one edge being pushed a little towards the middle to form a pleat. The number of pleats required is restricted to the preferences of the user. A similar fold is the diagonal shell fold. The Winged puff fold renders a one-of-its-kind look to the pocket square.

Linen pocket squares, being slightly firmer than silk ones, tend to retain the fold for a longer period of time. For this reason, silk pocket squares should incorporate a fold that bunches the cloth inside the pocket. The awareness of pocket squares among the general public can be gauged from the fact that many people are interested in knowing how to fold pocket squares, especially how to fold silk pocket squares.