Should You Put A Pocket Square In Your Coat Pocket?

If you are sartorially minded, you may have noticed breast pockets on your coats and asked yourself, "should I put a pocket square in there?" Coats do look similar to suit jackets and sport coats, so the answer should be simple, right? Not quite.

A coat, in general, will be heavier, thicker, and drape lower than a typical sport coat or suit jacket. While suit jackets and sport coats can be worn year-round, they're typically reserved for indoor events and/or warmer weather. Coats are worn in colder weather and provide a thick insulating layer between you and the elements.

The Key Differences Between Coats And Jackets 

While most people tend to use these words interchangeably, there are several key differences between coats and jackets. In general, these differences are:

• Coats are longer than jackets and typically extend below the hips, where jackets usually stop around the hips.

• Coats are usually made from heavier fabrics, where jackets are made from lighter fabrics.

• Coats, in general, are better at insulating due to their construction and use of heavier fabrics.

• Coats fit looser, allowing room for more layers underneath. Jackets typically fit closer to the body and may not have the extra room for a thick sweater or suit jacket.

• Coats tend to be more formal than jackets.

• Most coats will have a breast pocket where most jackets do not.

• Coats typically have buttons instead of zippers.

Can You Put A Pocket Square In Your Coat Pocket? 

There's no set rule on wearing a pocket square in your coat. Some may say it's a crime against style while others say it's unique and bold. Depending on your level of charisma, you can wear a pocket square in your coat if you are prepared to answer to a hard-headed member of the fashion police.

Should You Put A Pocket Square In Your Coat Pocket? 

The function of a coat is to protect you from the elements. Adding a piece of delicate silk, linen, cotton, or wool fabric that will be exposed to said elements is asking for trouble.

Depending on the weather, you may end up with water spots or unwanted ripples that could ruin the pocket square if not addressed quickly.

Some smaller, lighter pocket squares are prone to being escape artists. Unlike heavier ones that pool in the pocket, lighter pocket squares may try to hitch a ride with a good gust of wind or fall out of your pocket as you walk.

If you decide to add a pocket square to your coat, the same rules of colour matching applies as it would for a suit and your inner layers. Our Beginners Guide To The Colour Wheel is a great resource if you aren't too sure where to start with colours.

If You Want To Protect Your Accessories...

If you are wearing a suit jacket or sport coat underneath your coat, with accessories like a pocket square and boutonniere you don't want to crush, put them on your coat and relocate them to your suit jacket or sport coat once you take your coat off.

What If Your Coat Has A Flap Over The Breast Pocket? 

If your coat has a flap covering the outer breast pocket, the addition of a pocket square will make the flap fold contort behind the pocket square, throwing off the proportions.

Some flaps may be slanted and can tuck into the pocket to look seamless. If your coat has this feature, you can tuck the flap in for a more formal look.

So What Should You Put In Your Coat Pocket?

Flap or no flap, it's common to put gloves and sunglasses in the breast pocket of a coat. You can also put important items like parking or valet receipts in there as well for easy retrieval.

You could add a handkerchief, which is different from a pocket square, in your breast pocket if you suffer from a runny nose or have allergies. Just be sure to tuck it in completely. You don't want others to see your nose nuggets. What's the difference between a pocket square and handkerchief? Our article, properly titled What's The Difference Between A Pocket Square And A Handkerchief, has got you covered!

Summary

At the end of the day, your overall appearance is a direct reflection of your personality. If you want to be bold, add a pocket square to your coat (as long as your coat's breast pocket doesn't have flaps). Feel free to bend and break the style rules once you understand why the rules are there in the first place.

Did you enjoy this article? Learn something new? Share it with a friend and follow Esteemed Gentleman on social media to stay up to date with new articles and posts!

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Don't forget to sign up below to stay up to date on new articles and reviews we publish!