How to Fold a Pocket Square

Take off your jacket so you can work with it flat on a table. New jackets often have the breast pocket sewn shut to help the suit hang straight on the rack. Look at the inside of the pocket - if you see one stitch holding it closed, gently snip it with scissors and slide a finger inside to free the opening.

While the pocket is open, check how deep it is. Most pockets are five to six inches. You'll fold the bottom of the square up to about that depth, no matter which fold you pick.

The Presidential is the most iconic fold and the standard choice for black tie. Lay your pocket square upside down with one straight edge facing you. Fold it in half toward you, then in half to the left, then in half again. You'll end up with a small rectangle.

Now fold the bottom up so the top edge sits a little above the depth of your pocket. Slip it into your jacket with the flat top edge showing about a quarter inch above the seam.

The Puff is the easiest fold in the lineup and works for everything from a wedding to a casual dinner. Lay the pocket square right side up. Pinch the very center with your fingers and lift, letting the corners hang down naturally.

Wrap your free hand around the pinch and pull it through so the fabric inverts into a soft round shape on top. Drop the result into your pocket points-down. The rounded fabric showing above the pocket is what you want.

The Angled Peaks fold gives you a sharp, multi-pointed top that catches the eye. Lay the square upside down with one corner pointing toward you so it looks like a diamond. Fold the bottom corner up about an inch shy of the top corner so a single peak shows above.

Hold the square just right of center. Take the top peak and fold it next to the first one. Move your finger a touch to the right and bring the next peak over. Repeat one more time so four peaks line up across the top. Fold the bottom edge up to your pocket depth and tuck the side in.

The Reverse Center fold is one of the most photogenic when you use a pocket square with a pattern. Lay the square upside down. Fold each of the four corners into the middle so the points meet. Pinch all four points together at the center.

Wrap your other hand around the pinch and lift. Drop it into the pocket points-down and shape the visible edges. A small twist before you set it adds dimension and makes the pattern pop.

The Three Stairs fold leans into the natural up-and-left angle of a breast pocket. Lay the square upside down with a corner toward you. Fold the bottom corner up to the center, then flip the whole thing over.

Pinch about two inches from the top and fold up - that's pleat one. Repeat to make pleat two. Flip the square so the pleats face you. Fold the left corner across to the right, then fan the pleats apart on one side so the layers look like stairs climbing up to the right.

The Prophet is a fresh alternative to the Presidential - same minimal vibe but with a slight angle that flatters the natural lean of the breast pocket. Lay the square upside down with a straight edge toward you. Fold the top right corner down to the middle of the bottom edge.

Fold the right edge over the left, then fold the top left point so the new top edge matches the width of your pocket. Fold the left edge over the right one more time, then bring the bottom up until the right side hits your pocket depth.