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Pocket squares are incredibly dapper. But perhaps you’ve been too intimidated to wear one because you aren’t sure how to fold a pocket square.

Completely understandable; they look so sophisticated that they must be terribly difficult to figure out, right? Wrong!

Here are several ways to fold your pocket square, which will totally elevate your suit game.

Of course, some are trickier than others, but I assure you that you can master them all.

The Presidential Fold

This style for folding your pocket square is perhaps the most traditional fashion. It’s also one of the most formal ways.

how to wear presidential pocket square fold

It’s a very uncomplicated fold that has impeccably clean lines. Maybe its simplicity is why it is also commonly called the square fold.

Folding your pocket square using this method is unbelievably easy.

It is the most straightforward and simple way to fold your pocket square; it is also the quickest and most difficult to mess up.

The presidential fold is excellent for black tie events and a traditional business look in a conservative office.

black-tie attire with the presidential pocket square fold

However, the presidential fold isn’t ideal for silk fabrics because the material will be too slippery and won’t hold its shape well.

As a final tip, you can iron the folds for a crisper look before inserting the pocket square into your breast pocket.

How to Fold the Presidential Pocket Square

how to fold the presidential pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face-down on a flat surface.
  2. Bring the right side over to the left edge, folding it in half.
  3. Fold it in half again, from left to right.
  4. Again, fold it in half by bringing the top to the bottom.
  5. Once more, fold it in half by bringing the bottom underneath the back to the top edge.
  6. Insert the open edges facing down into your breast pocket with the folded side pointing up.
  7. Adjust as needed to fit the pocket of your suit jacket.

The Classic Fold

The classic fold is another versatile and straightforward way to wear your pocket square. It is appropriate for any situation.

how to wear the classic fold pocket square

The best part of this type of fold is that it doesn’t need to be done perfectly, with every edge lining up one hundred percent.

The corners can be slightly misaligned, and it will still look good. That takes the pressure off an already simple folding method!

The classic fold for pocket squares is very similar to the presidential fold but inserted upside down.

Because the edges of the fabric are visible, this style is slightly more casual. But just as with the presidential fold, a stiffer fabric is preferred to prevent any material movement.

How to Fold the Classic Pocket Square

how to fold the classic pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face-down on a flat surface.
  2. Bring the right side over to the left edge, folding it in half.
  3. Fold the fabric in half again, bringing the bottom edge up to the top.
  4. Fold in half from left to right.
  5. Next, fold the bottom to the top again by bringing the bottom underneath the back to the top edge.
  6. Insert the folded side facing down into your breast pocket. It is traditional to have the four corners pointing toward your left shoulder, but it’s okay to face them inward.
  7. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The Puff Pocket Square Fold

Here is another very easy way to fold your pocket square – the puff fold! It looks more complicated than it is and conveys a simple sophistication.

how to wear puff fold pocket square

The puff fold is so flexible that you can wear it in casual and formal settings.

If you have a patterned pocket square that you are eager to show off, this is a great style to see your beautiful design. This folding method works very well with silk or silk blend fabrics.

Be mindful when folding your fabric that it may puff out during the day if you push in the puff on itself once you are finished shaping it. This could cause you to look disheveled.

However, it is okay if your finished product seems to be a bit dented in places; your priority is to be sure that the square stays looking trim and neat.

How to Fold the Puff Pocket Square

how to fold the puff pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face-down on a flat surface.
  2. Pinch the material at the center and pick it up.
  3. Create a circle with the opposite hand’s thumb and index fingers, and run the pocket square through this circle. Hold the fabric at its mid-point.
  4. Fold up the bottom of the material toward the back.
  5. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The One-Point Fold

You can’t go wrong with this simple-looking fold that is very easy to achieve.

how to wear the one-point pocket square

The one-point pocket squares are perfect for a casual look but so clean that it is also suitable for a professional business appearance.

It’s a folding style that is not flashy, but it does allow you to show off any pattern you may have on your material.

It also looks even more remarkable if you have a contrasting border on your pocket square.

The one-point pocket square is the most basic peak fold, forming a simple triangle. Therefore, it is sometimes also referred to as a single peak fold.

For this way of folding your fabric, a stiff, thicker material, such as cotton, works best so that it can hold its shape.

How to Fold the One-Point Pocket Square

how to fold the one-point pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face down on a flat surface at an angle so that one corner is at the top.
  2. Fold your fabric in half, laying the left corner and the bottom corner ofter their opposing corners. This will result in a rectangle shape.
  3. Fold it in half again, bringing the bottom of the rectangle up to the top edge. Now you have a diamond shape.
  4. Now fold the right corner toward the center.
  5. Fold the left corner toward the center.
  6. Finally, fold up the bottom toward the back.
  7. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The Two-Point Fold

This fashion is a variation of the one-point pocket square fold, but it has two peaks instead of just one.

how to wear the two-point pocket square

As a result, it looks slightly fancier and more complex than its simpler relative. The two-point fold is a common style used for business suits. It adds a touch of flair to your otherwise hum-drum business outfit.

Because it is so elegant, you can also wear it for formal settings, such as a wedding or formal dinner event.

It isn’t at all difficult to create this fold, but keep in mind that the front and back of your pocket square are visible with this style. Perhaps it is best to use a solid color, in that case.

How to Fold the Two-Point Pocket Square

how to fold the two-point pocket square

  1. Begin with your pocket square face down on a flat surface at an angle so that one corner is at the top.
  2. Bring the bottom point up to the top, but don’t lay it directly on top of the point; instead, lay it next to the top point, creating two peaks.
  3. Fold in the right corner, going past the center point, but not folding the material all the way in half. Your chosen stopping point will affect the width of your finished fold.
  4. Bring the left corner across toward the right side. Again, how far you go determines your finished width.
  5. Tuck in the remaining edge of this left corner behind the folded pocket square.
  6. Fold up the bottom toward the back.
  7. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The Three-Point Fold

If you want to make a bold statement of confidence, you can’t do better than with a three-point fold.

how to wear the three-point pocket square

This style is more complicated than the others and takes a bit of practice. Making this fold look neat can be tricky, but don’t get hung up on perfection!

The three-point pocket squares still look acceptable if it’s a little off-kilter.

This fashion is a bit of a flashy fold. It is acceptable for business casual wear, but you should likely skip this style for the most conservative business settings.

Instead, it would be better reserved for social events, such as weddings or cocktail parties.

How to Fold the Three-Point Pocket Square

how to fold the three-point pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face down on a flat surface at an angle so that one corner is at the top, forming a diamond shape.
  2. Fold it in half by bringing the bottom corner up top, creating a triangle shape.
  3. Fold up the right corner, placing the tip next to the left-hand side of the top peak.
  4. Next, fold up the left corner the same way, laying it on the right side of the original peak. You now have three peaks.
  5. Fold the right edge toward the middle, then fold the left edge toward the center.
  6. Finally, fold up the bottom toward the back.
  7. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The Four-Point Fold

Here’s a fold for when you are feeling like a king.

how to wear the four-point pocket square

It is often also called the crown fold because it resembles one; it is also sometimes named the Cagney fold, after movie icon James Cagney.

This is a really fun fold, but reserve this style for rare occasions. Use it when you want to show off and make a big splash.

It is a challenging fold but rewarding once you perfect this look.

You should ideally only use pocket squares that have thin and stiff material, such as linen, because the folds on this method can end up being quite bulky in your breast pocket.

How to Fold the Four-Point Pocket Square

how to fold the four-point pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face down on a flat surface at an angle so that one corner is at the top, forming a diamond shape.
  2. Fold the bottom point upward, not aligning it with the top peak but laying it right next to it.
  3. Take the bottom right corner, and bring it up toward the top left. You now have three peaks.
  4. Do the same thing with the bottom left corner, creating the fourth peak.
  5. Fold in the right edge toward the middle.
  6. Next, fold in the left edge toward the middle.
  7. Finally, fold up the bottom toward the back.
  8. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The Rose Pocket Square Fold

Can you guess why this fashion of pocket square is called the rose fold? If you guessed that it resembles a rose, you’re absolutely correct!

how to wear the rose pocket square

You fold it by creating a spiral from the center outward. The rose fold is one of the most notoriously tricky folding styles to make.

However, it’s pretty neat once you understand the basics because your rose fold will look different each time you try this method.

The best pocket squares to use are ones with prints; they make the fold look extra lively.

For a beautiful touch, make sure your fabric has contrasting edging. This will highlight the stunning swirls.

Silky material is also best suited for this fold; it will form much more manageable and shows off the spiral well.

How to Fold the Rose Pocket Square

how to fold the rose pocket square

  1. Make a circle with your thumb and forefinger.
  2. Lay the fabric face up over your finger circle.
  3. Push some fabric down into the circle using two fingers from your other hand.
  4. From underneath, pinch the fabric.
  5. Place a hand over the material and begin to twist clockwise from above. This will cause the fabric to start overlapping.
  6. Keep twisting until all the fabric has been twisted.
  7. Gently hold the twists in place as you remove your bottom hand. You can adjust the folds to gently rearrange or clean them up, but don’t allow them to untwist.

The Winged Peak Pocket Square Fold

You can’t go wrong with this fold that’s appropriate for both daytime and nighttime wear.

how to wear winged peak pocket square

The winged peak pocket square is a very sophisticated look. It has no harsh lines but manages to keep the classic shape of the peak fold using soft curves, making it very inviting.

Perfecting this fold requires some practice and patience, as it is a moderately tricky folding style.

However, it is a rewarding fold because it works across most fabrics and folds up quite compactly.

How to Fold the Winged Peak Pocket Square

how to fold the winged-peak pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face down on a flat surface at an angle so that one corner is at the top, forming a diamond shape.
  2. Bring the top corner down to the bottom corner. You now have an upside-down triangle.
  3. Fold down the right corner to lay on top of the bottom peak.
  4. Do the same with the left side. You should once again see a diamond shape, with a split down the center.
  5. Fold the right side toward the center; do the same for the left.
  6. Next, fold up the bottom toward the back.
  7. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

The Stairs Pocket Square Fold

This fold is famous for its fantastic symmetry and perfection; it is a very sculpted look. It has three tiers across the top, resembling a mini-staircase, and it looks incredibly sharp.

how to wear the stairs fold pocket square

The stairs fold is one of the highest levels of difficulty to learn. It may take several failed efforts before you are satisfied with it.

Using a thicker pocket square material will help you because it will retain its shape easier than a lighter one, which will not hold and will become sloppy.

How to Fold the Stairs Pocket Square

how to fold the stairs pocket square

  1. Lay your pocket square face-down on a flat surface.
  2. Fold your material diagonally by moving the top right corner down to the opposite corner. This creates a right triangle and your first set of steps.
  3. Now you need to create a fold in the top layer of the fabric: fold the fabric up over itself about two inches down from the angled fold, making the second step.
  4. Do the same again to create the third step. All three “steps” will be parallel folds.
  5. Hold the three folds in place and fold them in half by bringing the top corner to the bottom right corner.
  6. Fold the left corner back, as well.
  7. Finally, fold up the bottom toward the back.
  8. Adjust as needed to fit your jacket pocket.

Alexander Stoicoff

Author: Alexander Stoicoff

Hi, I’m Alex, and I’ve studied and specialized in styling in Rome. Through my writing, I want to help men dress well and learn the purpose and significance of suits and other formal attire. My final goal is to make men more confident in their wardrobe choice and life in general.