Which pocket square for suit? Best Color Combinations
Wondering which pocket square for a suit will be the best? To keep it simple – if you don’t want to spend more than a few seconds thinking about it, go with a white linen pocket square. It always works, especially with a white shirt. And it doesn’t matter what color your suit is – white matches everything. But this short answer doesn’t cover the whole, wide topic of choosing the right pocket square. Below you’ll find tips on how to create a stylish visual effect and be seen as a man who knows how to dress well. At the end – a special pocket square checklist.
These 4 questions will help you choose the right pocket square for your suit:
1. What’s the occasion? Where will you wear this suit and pocket square?
If the occasion is highly formal – we recommend the classic: a white linen pocket square folded in a TV-fold, 2- or 3-point. It always works.
Looking for something more original or bold, and the setting allows it? Then focus on color. For example, if you’re going to an outdoor wedding and wearing a classic navy suit, you might choose a green pocket square to reflect the natural surroundings.
Quick tip – with a white shirt and navy or gray suit, it’s genuinely hard to go wrong. The biggest mistake is buying a very cheap, poor-quality pocket square – and looking it. At Dignito, you only buy premium pocket squares. For suits in other colors, focus on matching the color and pattern of the pocket square to your outfit. The color wheel can help.
2. What season is it? Is your suit all-season?
Spring and summer are great for visually lighter jackets, so we recommend natural blend pocket squares made from silk and cotton. This combination gives a lightweight and airy look – perfect for warm days. Remember, with silk, you never go wrong.
Fall and winter allow for heavier-looking fabrics, so a natural blend of silk and wool works best. It pairs well with thicker suits.
If your suit is all-season, then almost any pocket square will do. Still, you can choose lighter ones for summer occasions and heavier ones for winter settings.
Did you know…
Whether a suit is all-season depends on the fabric weight and weave. For example, 280 grams is considered suitable for all seasons – though a bit too light for winter and too warm for hot summer.
3. What patterns and colors do you like? What resonates with you?
By now you’ve defined the context – formal or informal – and the seasonal vibe. But now comes the fun part: which colors and patterns work best for you? Let’s assume you’re not going for a formal white pocket square, but something colorful or with a pattern.
Now the key is to understand the color wheel. Below we’ll explain which pocket square matches which suit color:
- Navy
- Gray
- Beige / ecru / cream
- Brown
Note: if we say that fuchsia matches a gray suit, we don’t mean the whole pocket square must be fuchsia – it’s enough if there’s just a touch of that color showing. You can fold it so only the right accent peeks out.
Which Pocket Square for a Navy Suit?
We covered this in detail in our guide: Which Pocket Square for a Navy Suit?
In short, you can confidently go with:
Red / Burgundy / Maroon – complementary color (on the color wheel, red is opposite blue), adds elegance and contrast.
Muted orange (e.g. terracotta, rust) – a stylish complementary contrast.
Light blue or sky blue – analogous hues that create a harmonious effect.
Emerald or bottle green – part of the primary color triangle, a cool and interesting accent.
