Suits from the 1937 Chicago Woolen Mills catalog

A suit, with varieties such as a business suit, three-piece suit, lounge suit or two-piece suit , comprises a collection of matching clothing consisting of: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (527x720, 58 KB)Suits of 1937, from the Chicago Woolen Mills 1937 catalog. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (527x720, 58 KB)Suits of 1937, from the Chicago Woolen Mills 1937 catalog. ... (See also List of types of clothing and Clothing terminology) Humans nearly universally wear articles of clothing (also known as dress, garments, attire, or apparel) on the body. ...

• a coat (commonly known as a jacket)
• a waistcoat (optional) (USA vest) — without this it is known as a two-piece suit or lounge suit.
• for men, a pair of trousers (USA pants), or for women, a skirt or trousers

A suit is generally accompanied by a dress shirt and tie (for men), or a blouse (for women). A hat such as the fedora and the bowler (for men), or the pill box (for women), in Western countries, used to complete the outfit, but over the course of the 20th century they largely fell out of fashion and are no longer worn with suits. Double-breasted coat, 1876 For other meanings than clothing, see Coat (Disambiguation) A coat (a term frequently interchangeable with jacket) is an outer garment worn by both men and women, for warmth or fashion. ... A traditional waistcoat, to be worn with a two-piece suit or separate jacket and trousers A waistcoat (called a vest in Canada and the US) is a type of garment. ... A vest is a type of mens garment. ... Chez TrouserChez Trouser The origin of modern mens trousers: a sans-culotte by Louis-Léopold Boilly. ... Look up Pants in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Pants are clothing for the body below the waist, a must for modesty regardless of gender; the term is an abbreviation of pantaloons, a puzzling plurale tantum as it comes from the French pantalon, stemming via the buffoonish commedia dellarte-character... A skirt is a traditionally feminine tube- or cone-shaped garment which is worn from the waist and covers the legs. ... An example of a dress shirt (US). ... A necktie (usually just called a tie) is a long piece of material worn around the neck and under a collar with a knot tied in front. ... A blouse A blouse most commonly refers to a womans shirt, although the term is also used for some mens military uniform shirts. ... There are many different styles of hats A hat is an item of clothing which is worn on the head – a kind of headgear. ... A fedora, which in this case has been pinched at the front and being worn pushed back on the head, with the front of the brim bent down over the eyes. ... The bowler hat is a hard felt hat created for an Englishman William Coke II, who later became Thomas William Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester, in 1850 (Robinson, 15). ... A pillbox hat is a small womans hat with a flat crown and straight, upright sides. ...

History

Men's suits

The suit is the traditional outfit of men in the Western world. The modern suit did not appear until the late nineteenth century, but its origins can be traced back to the revolution in men's dress set by Charles II, king of Great Britain in the 1660s. Charles, following the example of the court of Louis XIV at Versailles decreed in 1666 that at court, men were to wear a long coat or jacket, a waistcoat (originally called a petticoat, a term which later became applied solely to women's dress), a cravat (ancestor of the modern necktie) a wig, and breeches or trousers gathered at the knee, as well as a hat for outdoor wear. Although it is hard to see the outline of the modern business suit in the elaborate and brightly-coloured court dress of the seventeenth century, the basic pattern outlined above has survived for more than four hundred years with some adjustments, notably the abandonment of wigs and knee breeches after the French Revolution; the rise of British tailoring, which used steam, pressure, padding, and stiffening to mould woolen fabric to the body; the invention of the modern necktie in the late nineteenth century; and the gradual disappearance of waistcoats and hats during the last fifty years. Charles II (29 May 1630–6 February 1685) was the King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland from 30 January 1649 (retrospectively de jure) or 29 May 1660 (de facto) until his death. ... For the musical group of the same name, see Louis XIV (band). ... This article is about the city of Versailles. ... Coat can refer to any one of the following: The fur coat of a mammal. ... A traditional waistcoat, to be worn with a two-piece suit or separate jacket and trousers A waistcoat (called a vest in Canada and the US) is a type of garment. ... Women wearing petticoats A petticoat (also known as underskirt in the UK or slip in the US) is an article of clothing for women; specifically an undergarment to be worn under a skirt, dress or saree. ... Modern neckties, shown here tied as if they were on a person, may be found in a plethora of colours and designs. ... A necktie (usually just called a tie) is a long piece of material worn around the neck and under a collar with a knot tied in front. ... WIG, originally an acronym for Warszawski Indeks Giełdowy (Warsaw Stock Exchange Index) is the oldest index for the Warsaw Stock Exchange. ... Chez TrouserChez Trouser The origin of modern mens trousers: a sans-culotte by Louis-Léopold Boilly. ... This article needs cleanup. ... The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period in the history of France. ... A tailor is a person whose occupation is to sew clothes custom-fit to individuals, and to repair clothes. ... A necktie (usually just called a tie) is a long piece of material worn around the neck and under a collar with a knot tied in front. ...

What we call the modern suit was originally a nineteenth-century American innovation in dress: seeking a casual alternative to the long, heavy frock coats then considered appropriate business dress, men began to wear lighter coats cut just below the waist when not engaged in business. This "sack suit" (now called a "lounge suit" in Great Britain or a "business suit" in North America) became informal daywear for all men who were not engaged in physical labor. Even the humblest men would have at least one suit to wear on Sunday to church, hence the term "Sunday best." The waistcoat or vest was worn regularly with the suit until World War II, but is rarely seen today. Corporal in a nine-button frock coat, 1862 A frock coat is a mens coat introduced in the early nineteenth century characterized by knee-length skirts all around, in contrast to tail coats and cutaways. ... A traditional waistcoat, to be worn with a two-piece suit or separate jacket and trousers A waistcoat (called a vest in Canada and the US) is a type of garment. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 8 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. ...

At the end of the nineteenth century, an informal suit for evening wear, the Tuxedo, was developed. Sometimes referred to as black tie, it was popularized as an informal alternative to standard evening dress, or white tie. As the Tuxedo grew in popularity, it became acceptable formalwear and today has all but replaced white tie, which today is only seen at the most formal occasions. The daytime equivant to white tie is the morning suit. Black tie, known in the United Kingdom (and also in the north-eastern United States, and Canada) as a dinner jacket and in the United States generally as a tuxedo, is a dress code for formal evening events that are not formal enough to require white tie. ... Black tie is a dress code for formal evening events that are not formal enough to require white tie. ... Queen Elizabeth II with Commonwealth Prime Ministers, in the 1950s. ... Morning dress is a particular category of mens formal dress. ...

Women's suits

Women's walking suits, 1894, from the Butterick pattern company's Delineator

Women's Tailored Suits, 1937

Tailored suits for women, originally consisting of a matching skirt and jacket, sometimes with a vest, appeared in the later nineteenth century. Severe suits in woolen fabrics were worn as street and traveling costume, and reflected the skirt and sleeve styles of the day. Image File history File links Walking_suites_1894_Delineator. ... Image File history File links Walking_suites_1894_Delineator. ... Image File history File links Womens_tailored_suits. ... Image File history File links Womens_tailored_suits. ... A tailor is a person whose occupation is to sew clothes custom-fit to individuals, and to repair clothes. ... Sleeve (O. Eng. ...

In the first half of the twentieth century, the skirted suit became the common daytime city costume for women, in the workplace and out; dressmaker suits featured softer fabrics and "feminine" details, and cocktail suits were worn for semiformal occasions in mid-century. A dressmaker is a person (usually a woman) who makes custom clothing for women, such as dresses, blouses, and evening gowns. ...

Under the influence of Dress for Success, a working woman's uniform of skirted suit, tailored shirt, and floppy tie evolved in the 1970s and 1980s. Pantsuits (women's suits with trousers) were introduced by designer André Courrèges in 1964 but were only gradually accepted as formal business attire. The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... The 1980s decade refers to the years from 1980 to 1989, inclusive. ... A pantsuit is a womans suit of clothing consisting of trousers and a matching or coordinating coat or jacket. ... André Courrèges, born 1923, is a French fashion designer. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ...

Influence of casual dress

Over the past half-century, the wearing of suits has become far less common than it once was and is now restricted almost entirely to formal and business activities. During the 1990s, many businesses in North America adopted casual dress codes, beginning with "casual Fridays" and then extending to the entire business week. Although many workers have applauded the relaxation of dress codes, suits are still required wear for formal business events such as board meetings. As well, the abandonment of an uniform dress code has led to considerable confusion over what is considered appropriate business wear. More recently, some business have reinforced the wearing of suits, although they will never be as common as they once were. This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Like the frock coats they replaced, business suits seem to have become too formal for an age of casual dress. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that they will disappear entirely, and even the most casually dressed man typically owns one for such occasions as weddings, funerals, court appearances, and job interviews.

According to Anne Hollander's book Sex and Suits (ISBN 1568361017), the origin of the suit was in European medieval armor, which "replaced the naked human frame with another one that made a close three-dimensional, line-for-line commentary on it in another medium." Furthermore, "plate armor required an undergarment made by a linen-armorer, a close-fitting padded suit that outlined the whole man". Alternative meanings: vehicle armour, Armor (novel) A hoplite wearing a helmet, a breastplate and greaves (and nothing else). ...

Extreme suits

Although the man's tailored suit is commonly perceived as the ultimate conservative costume of Western culture (see below), extravagant variations on the tailored suit have been adopted by many subcultures over the last century as a matter of fashion or social identity. As early as 1922, Emily Post addressed what she termed the "freak American suit" in her influential guide Etiquette: 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Emily Post (27 October 1873 – 25 September 1960) was a United States author who promoted proper etiquette. ...

You will see it everywhere, on Broadway of every city and Main Street of every town, on the boardwalks and beaches of coast resorts, and even in remote farming villages. It comes up to hit you in the face year after year in all its amazing variations: waist-line under the arm pits, “trick” little belts, what-nots in the cuffs; trousers so narrow you fear they will burst before your eyes, pockets placed in every position, buttons clustered together in a tight little row or reduced to one. And the worst of it is, few of our younger men know any better until they go abroad and find their wardrobe a subject for jest and derision.

Some of the non-traditional tailored suit syles of the past century include:

• The Zoot suit of the 1930s and 1940s
• The Western suit, a form of western wear featuring a tailored jacket with "western" details such as pointed yokes or arrowhead pockets
• The Nudie suit, a highly decorated form of western wear
• The Beatle suit or Mod suit, a fashion of the late 1960s with very narrow trousers and sometimes collarless jackets, derived from Pierre Cardin's early menswear
• The Disco suit, a fashion of the 1970s with exaggerated lapels and flared trousers, often in white or brightly-coloured polyester fabric

A zoot suit A zoot suit is a style of clothing popularized by African Americans, Filipino Americans, and Mexican Americans in the late 1930s and 1940s. ... // Events and trends A public speech by Benito Mussolini, founder of the Fascist movement The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the global depression. ... // Events and trends World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atomic bomb. ... Gene Autry in the western wear typical of the singing cowboys of the 1950s - note characteristic piped, arrowhead-end smile pockets, broad open shirt collar, pointed shirt yoke, neckerchief or bandana, and cowboy hat Western wear is a category of mens and womens clothing which derives its unique... Gram Parsons wearing a Nudie Suit Nudie Suit is a brand name of rhinestone- and spangle-decorated cowboy attire worn by many popular country music artists from the 1940s until Nudie Cohens death in 1984. ... Gene Autry in the western wear typical of the singing cowboys of the 1950s - note characteristic piped, arrowhead-end smile pockets, broad open shirt collar, pointed shirt yoke, neckerchief or bandana, and cowboy hat Western wear is a category of mens and womens clothing which derives its unique... The Beatles were a British rock music group from Liverpool, England held in very high regard for both their artistic achievements and their considerable commercial success, and have amassed an enormous worldwide fanbase that continues to exist to this day. ... The logo of the mod movement was a stylised target, based on the roundel of the Royal Air Force. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... For the film, see the article Polyester (film) Close-up of a polyester shirt SEM picture of a bend in a high surface area polyester fiber with a seven-lobed cross section Polyester is a category of polymers, or, more specifically condensation polymers, which contain the ester functional group in...

Perceptions

The uniform impression of a suit, often appearing in standard configurations such as pinstripe suit or suit and tie, can carry numerous connotations. In business settings it can communicate respectability and taste. In different milieus, the connotations of corporate life that the suit represents conveys unadventurous conformism. Extreme variations on the suit can convey the opposite (for example, many pimps wear exaggerated versions of suits containing various hues, patterns, etc.). Pin striping describes the application of a pin stripe: a very thin line of paint or other material, generally used for decoration. ... A pimp is a man who manages women in prostitution, often street prostitution, in order to profit from their earnings. ...

Used as a synechdoche, by referring to management staff in corporations as "suits", may express contempt for the perceived absence of autonomy imposed on members in a uniform elitist bureaucracy. It may also be a comment on the perceived amorality of those who work for corporations. Synecdoche (pronounced sin-EK-duh-kee) is a kind of metonymy in which: A part of something is used for the whole, The whole is used for a part, The species is used for the genus, The genus is used for the species, or The stuff of which something is... Management (from Old French ménagement the art of conducting, directing, from Latin manu agere to lead by the hand) characterises the process of leading and directing all or part of an organization, often a business, through the deployment and manipulation of resources (human, financial, material, intellectual or intangible). ... A corporation is a legal entity (distinct from a natural person) that often has similar rights in law to those of a natural person. ... Autonomy is the condition of something that does not depend on anything else. ... Bureaucracy , or red tape is a concept in sociology and political science. ...

Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders of his era wore the Mao suit.

The political and social dominance of Europe in the world during the last century has led to the adoption of the suit as appropriate business and formal wear in almost every part of the globe. Refusing to wear a suit, therefore, can be a symbolic rejection of European dominance in some cases. For instance, some political leaders reject wearing business suits in order to send a message that they do not conform to Western patterns. The most notable example was probably the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong , who usually appeared in public wearing what was nicknamed the Mao suit in English. This suit was originally designed under the direction of Sun Yat-sen for the Chinese Republic, reflecting the need to create a uniquely Chinese dress for the new era. The "Mao suit" was worn by most Chinese political leaders (including Chiang Kai-shek), until the mid-to-late 20th Century, and is known as the "Zhongshan (Sun Yat-sen) suit" (after its creator) in Chinese. Other alternatives to the western suit include national or tribal dress for African and Middle Eastern leaders, or military fatigues like Cuba's Fidel Castro. In more recent years, however, Castro has taken to wearing business suits in public appearances in lieu of his iconic revolutionary fatigues. By contrast, Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi has recently (as of 2005) begun appearing in shirt sleeves, to encourage his compatriots to dress more practically and reduce energy usage. Pictured here is former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong announcing the founding of the Peoples Republic of China on October 1st, 1949. ... Pictured here is former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong announcing the founding of the Peoples Republic of China on October 1st, 1949. ... Communist leaders wear the Mao suit. ... (help· info) (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976; Mao Tse-tung in Wade-Giles) was the chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 1943 and the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death. ... Communist leaders wear the Mao suit. ... Sun Yat-sen (November 12, 1866–March 12, 1925) was a Chinese revolutionary and political leader who had a significant role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty. ... National motto: None Official language Mandarin Chinese Capital and largest city Taipei President Chen Shui-bian Vice President Annette Lu Premier Su Tseng-chang Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 138th 35,980 km² 2. ... Chiang Kai-shek (JiÇŽng Jiè Shí in standard Mandarin) (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975) was a Chinese military and political leader who assumed the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) after the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. ... Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (pron. ... Junichiro Koizumi Junichiro Koizumi (Japanese: 小泉純一郎, Koizumi Junichirō, born January 8, 1942) is the current Prime Minister of Japan. ...

Women's suits today

In the 1990s, the return of the miniskirt to the fashion world soon carried over into the office settings. Skirt length varies with fashion trends and acceptable local custom. A woman modelling a miniskirt An elegant mini skirt An example of the very revealing beltskirt with an exposed thong. The miniskirt is a skirt whose hemline is high above the knees (generally 20–30 cm above knee-level). ...

Traditional suit etiquette

(Note: The following is a traditional guide for wearing a suit in a professional or formal manner. Casual wear is at the discretion of the individual.)

Buttoning the suit

Double-breasted suits are always kept buttoned while standing. When there is more than one to-button (as in a traditional six-on-two arrangement), only the top one is to be fastened. Often, this is the only one that can be properly fastened, because the bottom to-button often lacks a corresponding interior flap button. In the case of arrangement such as the six-on-one, particularly popular when the double-breasted suit first staged a comeback in the 1980s, one has no choice but to fasten the bottom button as this is the only option. While sitting for prolonged periods, it is best to unbutton the suit to avoid bunching and wrinkling of the fabric, as well as strain on the interior flap buttons. Double-breasted pea coat In clothing, double-breasted refers to a coat or jacket or similar garment having a wide overlap in the front with two parallel rows of buttons. ...

Single-breasted suits may be buttoned while standing or not, though it is more formal to button them. If one buttons the jacket, all buttons except for the bottom one are fastened. Under no circumstances fasten the bottom-most button of a single-breasted suit jacket. This rule is adequate for two-button suits as well as the rarer four-button suits. Three-buttons suits present a couple of special situations. In the case of three-button suits with lapels that roll over the top button, the top button should not be fastened. These are typically older three-button jackets and contemporary three-button suits are not normally designed this way. Indeed, they are cut differently overall. With a typical three-button suit made today, one has the option of buttoning only the middle button in the manner of the old three-button cuts, or following the rule of buttoning every button but the bottom-most one. The latter choice is generally preferred. To prevent bunching, the single-breasted jacket should be completely unbuttoned while the wearer is seated. Lapels are the decorative revers on the face of mens formal jackets. ...

Suit colours

The classic conservative suit colours are navy blue, grey, and charcoal. Black is traditionally a colour for one's dinner jacket (tuxedo), not one's suit. Though the severity of that judgement varies by industry and region, it is best avoided for business wear unless one knows for sure that it will be acceptable. Conservative suits are generally solid colors or pinstripes, with refined plaids sometimes qualifying. Navy blue is an especially dark shade of blue. ... Grey or gray (in American English) is a colour seen commonly in nature. ... Charcoal is the blackish residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents of animal and vegetable substances. ... Black is a color with several subtle differences in meaning. ... Black tie is a dress code for formal evening events that are not formal enough to require white tie. ...

Ties with suits

See also main article Necktie

Working with ties is very much a matter of personal taste, but in conservative terms there are some basic guidelines. Ties should be darker than the wearer's shirt. The background color of the tie should not be the same as that of the shirt, rather the foreground of the tie should contain the color of the shirt and thereby "pick up" on the color of the shirt. Ideally, the tie should also integrate the color of the suit in the same way. Generally, simple or subdued patterns are preferred for conservative dress, though these are terms with a wide range of potential for intepretation. The list of knots generally includes the Four-in-hand, the Half-Windsor (or Windsor), the Full-Windsor (or Double Windsor), and the Shelby or Pratt. A Four-in-hand, Half- or Full- Windsor is generally the most appropriate with a suit, particularly by contemporary guidelines. Once properly knotted and arranged, the bottom of the tie should just touch or just go over the top of the belt buckle. The thin end should never extend below the wide end. A necktie (usually just called a tie) is a long piece of material worn around the neck and under a collar with a knot tied in front. ... The four-in-hand knot is a method of tying a mans necktie. ... The Half-Windsor Knot is a way of tying a tie. ... Tying the double-windsor knot The Windsor knot is a method of tying a tie around ones neck and collar. ... The Pratt knot is a method of tying a tie around ones neck and collar. ...

Shirts with suits

See also main article Shirt

The classic conservative shirt colors are light blue or white. The most formal type of dress shirt worn with a standard suit is a shirt with French cuffs, which use cuff links (or the lesser known silk knots) to close, but this type of shirt is optional, and essentially up to the preferences of the wearer and the vagaries of fashion. Ideally, this shirt should also have what is known as a spread collar. This is frequently the default collar type for French cuff shirts, though they can sometimes be found with point collars. Regardless of whether one is wearing French cuffs or not, one should never wear a shirt with a button-down collar with a suit. Normally these should be reserved for use with a sportcoat or without a coat at all. This guideline is ignored by a portion of the population whose relative size tends to change with prevailing fashion trends. One sees less of this today, particularly with the resurgence of more formal shirts with spread collars and French cuffs, even in business casual wear. In terms of wear, the shirt should be properly pressed and have collar stays in place if the shirt allows. Short sleeves should never be worn with a suit. Business shirt Look up Shirt in Wiktionary, the free dictionary A shirt is a piece of clothing for the trunk of the body. ... This French cuff is fashioned with a silk knot. ... A cuff link, cufflink or cuff-link is a decorative fastener used to fasten or link the two portions of a french cuff, typically on a shirt or blouse. ... Cuff link This set of cuff links and studs features pearl inlays. ... William Shakespeare in a sheer linen collar of the early 17th century, a direct ancestor of the modern shirt collar. ... William Shakespeare in a sheer linen collar of the early 17th century, a direct ancestor of the modern shirt collar. ...

Socks with suits

Socks should match the pant leg. This makes the leg appear longer and minimizes the noticeability of a too-short pant leg. In the absence of an exact shade match between pants and socks (just the variability of how dye appears on wool and cotton, viscose, silk, et al makes this a practical impossibility), the shade of the socks should always run darker than that of the pants. With patterned socks, ideally the background color of the sock should match the primary/background color of the suite. If it is not possible to match the pant leg, socks may match one's shoes. This is not especially appropriate, particularly in contemporary conservative dress, and should only be done if nothing remotely similar to the pant color can be found. This is only likely to occur in the case of unusual, fashion-forward colors, and there should not be any cause to do this with traditional colors such as navy or gray, barring emergency.

Accessories with suits

Acceptable colors for belt and shoes are black and burgundy/cordovan, though since the 1980s various shades of darker browns (paritularly mahogany) have started to gain acceptance. Light browns such as saddle tan and its ilk should be reserved for use with business casual wear. The belt and shoes must match one another, at the very least in color category if not almost exactly in shade. The belt's buckle should be silver or gold. Other metallic objects worn with the suit (such as cuff links, tie bar, tie tack, watch) should match the belt buckle. Where watches are concerned: the more formal the occasion, the thinner the watch. Analog watches are more formal than digital watches. In the most formal situations, a pocket watch, or no watch at all, should be worn. Generally speaking, one should not wear rubber sole dress shoes, though there are some individual high end shoes that may be exceptions. Leather sole shoes are not only traditional, but more importantly they almost always have uppers that are of a far better quality and have a much more "dressy" appearance. Some companies also make dress shoes with wooden soles. A cuff link, cufflink or cuff-link is a decorative fastener used to fasten or link the two portions of a french cuff, typically on a shirt or blouse. ... A tie slide, alongside a buttering knife for size comparison purposes A tie bar or tie slide is an item of mens clothing. ... In naval parlance, watches are a timekeeping convention. ... A gold pocket watch An early reference to the pocket watch is in a letter in November 1462 from the Italian clockmaker Bartholomew Manfredi to the Marchese di Manta, where he offers him a pocket clock better than that belonging to the Duke of Modena. ...

Handkerchiefs and pocket squares/silks in the upper welt (chest) pocket are not especially common in today's conservative dress, and have never been 'good form' in Britain, though like other accessories (e.g. tie bars), they can certainly be added. Coordinating pocket squares is a matter of taste, but a general safe rule of thumb would be to match the color of the shirt or the background color of the tie. When in doubt, one can simply use the traditional, white cotton or linen handkerchief. There are a number of styles in which these may be folded, all at the wearer's discretion. Raymond W. Kelly, the New York City Police Commissioner, is known for wearing a handkerchief in his pocket. ...

External links

• Emily Post's Etiquette: The Clothes of a Gentleman, 1922
• GQ Style Guy on men.style.com - Suits and Blazers