Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style

I once came across the question; “what’s the fashion piece you can’t do without after suiting up?”  My immediate thought was ‘Pocket Square’!

A simple pocket square can add years to your suit’s lifespan (and no, I’m not being dramatic). As small as it might seem,  if worn right it has the ability to add a degree of super-coolness, and a splash of panache to a regular suit and tie look.

A couple of years ago when I was an undergraduate in university, I came to a shocking realisation. For a lot of young Nigerian/African guys in school, a pocket square was interchangeable with a handkerchief. Nothing- I repeat- Nothing- makes me want to scream as much as seeing a hanky in a man’s suit pocket as a makeshift pocket square. Not only does it not work, it also makes you look the opposite of put together!

There’s also another misconception that a pocket square should match your tie. This is a trend that I personally believe needs to die a slow and painful death. God forbid I be caught outside the streets of Lagos or London matching my tie with my pocket square. Where’s the fun in that?

Like with all things fashion and style, there is a technique to wearing a pocket square and today, I’m going to share with you my 3 golden rules:

1. A great pocket square is like a quiet voice in a room full of noisy people. So different that people can’t help but notice.

2. A great pocket square should contrast your tie or your outfit in general, in complementary colours. If you want to really get classy with it, you can also try using a contrasting pattern to your suit and tie fabric. For example a busy paisley pocket square in blue and a solid red tie work well because the contrast of the busy pocket square against the red tie creates an outstanding look.

3. A great pocket square is like a beautiful woman in the summer- it’s confusing if it doesn’t get attention!

All I’m trying to say is make it funky bobo! What’s the point of having style if you’re not outstanding?

I hope you find this helpful and I’ve dropped some cool pocket square looks below to inspire your next suit and tie fit! Let me know your favourites and please share some of your cool pocket square looks with me as well!