Trend alert: Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are back

Old and historic styles are often brought back in the world of fashion, tweaked to match the latest style trends. Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are making a comeback, just not the way you have known them until now.
This new trend fuses classic clothing with hip and modern clothing. A handkerchief worn with a T-shirt and ripped jeans is one such example.
The word handkerchief comes from two French words: couvrir, which means, “to cover,” and chef, which means “head.”
Before handkerchiefs and pocket squares were even a trendy fashion accessory, they were popular among European upper class society as either an accessory or a more practical piece of clothing. At that time, pocket squares or handkerchiefs were made from luxurious materials such as silk and were embroidered to create stunning patterns as yet another demonstration of wealth and status. They come in many shapes and sizes and, like the Ancient Greeks, the French nobles scented their handkerchiefs to overcome the smells of the time resulting from a general lack of bathing facilities.
This historic fashion trend has made a major comeback on the current fashion scene. Saudi brand Oil Barrel Collection introduced in its new 2016 summer collection a pocket squares line with a twist. The brand attempts to pioneer the use of pocket squares in thobes, as an alternative to the traditional men’s head wear, shemagh, creating a bridge between the east and west and embedding different elements in the design.
Oil Barrel’s pocket squares collection comes in a variety of summery, fresh colors. They can give an instant pop of color and freshness to any piece of clothing.
“We were looking to introduce western accessories and mixing them with our traditional clothing to produce a stylish and trendy collection that all men would enjoy and connect with,” said Omar Naseef, co-founder of Oil Barrel. “Pocket squares made Oil Barrel’s summer collection unique, chic and edgy,” he added.
Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are very similar but are not the same. Pocket squares are a design feature on your jacket’s breast pocket and serve no other function. It is usually made with silk, a lightweight cotton or linen, and should be small enough to fold without creating bulk.
Handkerchiefs have an actual use apart from being a fashion accessory. They are placed in the back or front pocket of pants, as well as the inside or lower pocket of a jacket. They are normally made with cotton so that they can be washed as they are used to absorb fluids. Handkerchiefs can be larger in diameter as bulk is less of a factor.

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