The Art Of Matching Bow Ties And Pocket Squares: A Gentleman's Guide

Matching your bow tie and pocket square is a definite no-no. While it may seem like an easy way to coordinate your outfit, it is a surefire way to break all style rules. The purpose of the pocket square is to complement the rest of your ensemble with a design that offers a contrast, in order to accentuate the look.

The easiest way to coordinate a tie and pocket square is to choose colours and patterns that look good together, but aren't a complete match. For example, if your tie has thin stripes, your pocket square could be striped too, but with thicker, block stripes. You can also pick out a colour from another part of your outfit and choose a pocket square that complements or contrasts it.

If you're wearing a bow tie, the same style rules apply.

Complementary colours: Choose colours that complement each other, like blue and orange, or red and green

When it comes to complementary colours, blue and orange, or red and green, are classic combinations. These colours sit directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, creating a strong contrast. For example, a blue bow tie and an orange pocket square, or a red pocket square and a green bow tie, will provide a balanced colour combination.

Complementary colour combinations are bold and daring, but they will ensure you stand out in a stylish way. If you want to be more adventurous, you can also try a triadic colour scheme, which involves colours that form an equilateral triangle on the colour wheel, such as blue, red and yellow, or green, orange and purple. These combinations are not as strong as complementary colours but still provide a nice contrast between warm and cool colours.

If you want to play it safe, analogous colour schemes are a good option. This involves choosing colours that are adjacent on the colour wheel, such as blue and purple, or blue and green. Analogous colour schemes create a sophisticated and muted look, and you can also try pairing two warm colours or two cool colours, like blue and purple.

Remember, the key to matching a bow tie and pocket square is to complement, not match exactly. So, feel free to experiment with complementary, triadic, and analogous colour combinations to find the perfect stylish duo for your outfit!

Analogous colours: Choose two warm or two cool colours, like blue and purple

Analogous colours are groups of colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel. They usually share a common colour component and create a harmonious and pleasing look when used together because of their close relationship. An analogous colour scheme might include three or more colours that are adjacent to each other on the colour wheel.

Analogous colour schemes are common in nature and often occur in plants. For example, the changing colours of leaves in autumn form an analogous colour scheme, moving through the colours of the spectrum as they change.

When creating an analogous colour scheme, it's best to choose two warm colours or two cool colours. For example, you could pair a blue tie with a purple pocket square. This scheme is soothing on the eye, as adjacent colours on the colour wheel tend to create a sense of trust. Try a blue tie with a green or lilac pocket square.

Triadic colours: Choose three colours that form an equilateral triangle on the colour wheel, like blue, red and yellow

When it comes to choosing colours for your bow tie and pocket square, it's important to understand the basics of colour theory and the colour wheel. A triadic colour scheme is formed by choosing three colours that are equally spaced on the colour wheel, such as blue, red and yellow. This creates a vibrant and contrasting colour palette, with a balance of warm and cool colours.

To identify triadic colours, start by visualising the colour wheel. Red, blue and yellow are the three primary colours that create a triadic colour scheme. You can also choose from other combinations of primary, secondary and tertiary colours. For example, green, orange and purple, or yellow-green, blue-violet and red-orange.

When using a triadic colour scheme, it's important to create a balance between the colours. Choose one colour as your main shade and use the other two as accents. This will ensure that your colours complement each other without competing for attention.

Triadic colour schemes are ideal for those who want to experiment with bold and vibrant colours. They provide a strong contrast that is pleasing to the eye, making them a favourite among artists.

Patterns: If your tie has a pattern, opt for a pocket square in a solid colour

If your tie has a pattern, it is best to opt for a pocket square in a solid colour. This is because matching different patterns requires a bit of courage and a fair amount of know-how. If you are set on wearing a patterned tie and pocket square, make sure the pattern proportions vary. For example, if your tie has thin stripes, your pocket square could be striped too, but with thicker, block stripes.

If your tie has a pattern, you can also opt for a pocket square with a neat pattern or print. In this case, it is best that one of the secondary colours in the pocket square is the primary colour in the tie. For a more subtle, analogous look, you can opt for the same colour as the tie, but in a different shade, that recurs throughout the pocket square.

If you are wearing a patterned tie, you can also choose a pocket square with a shade lighter or darker than the core colour of your ensemble.

Fabric: The pocket square fabric should differ from the jacket fabric

The pocket square is a decorative accessory that adds flair and finesse to any formal or casual ensemble. It is placed in the breast pocket of a jacket or blazer. The pocket square is meant to complement the rest of the outfit and not match it exactly.

The pocket square fabric should differ from the jacket fabric. Cotton or linen pocket squares are more casual, while silk pocket squares are more refined and formal. Cotton and linen pocket squares are suitable for structured folds, while silk pocket squares are better suited for unstructured folds.

Cotton pocket squares are stiff and allow for structured folds. They are durable and resistant to abrasion. However, they can shrink with hot water washes and need to be ironed frequently.

Linen pocket squares are versatile and can be used with structured or unstructured folds. They add textural variation to an outfit and are suitable for spring and summer months.

Silk pocket squares are the most common pocket square material. They have soft edges and pair well with rougher fabrics like wool. Silk pocket squares are delicate and need to be dry-cleaned. They are prone to stains and damage from perspiration and bleach.

The pocket square fabric should be chosen based on the formality of the occasion and the desired level of casualness or refinement.

Frequently asked questions