Expert-Led Wedding Pocket Square Etiquette and 19 Picks to Shop Right Now

Accessorizing is the fun part of wedding fashion—especially for the groom, whose overall look follows a stricter guideline than the bride's. Cufflinks, shoes, and the tie and wedding pocket square are where the groom can get creative and express his personality best. Here, we're diving into the latter with the help of Michelle Kohanzo, president of The Tie Bar, a Chicago-based brand that's revolutionized the men's accessories space. She wholeheartedly recommends wearing a pocket square on your wedding day, regardless of dress code or style. "A pocket square does make a look more formal, but is also a great way to express your sense of style," she says. "Have fun with pattern or color and stand out for all the right reasons. Accessories are meant to be a fun and easy way to step outside your style comfort zone." Check out our list of 19 stellar squares to shop right now—including a handful from The Tie Bar—then keep scrolling for Kohanzo's top tips on how to style.

In this article:

• The Best Wedding Pocket Square Picks to Shop Now
• Wedding Pocket Square Etiquette to Know

The Best Wedding Pocket Square Picks to Shop Now

Whether you're wearing a suit or tuxedo, going for color or classic navy, or wearing a wedding tie or open collar, a pocket square will only enhance the look. If you're unsure where to begin, look to the wedding color palette or florals for inspiration; opt for lighter fabrics like silk and linen in the summer months or heavier ones like wool for winter. Here, we've rounded up 19 groom and wedding party pocket squares—plus options for guests—to shop online right now.

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Navy Floral Pocket Square

Photo: The Tie Bar

The Tie Bar collabed with Michigan-based artist Kelly Ventura on this floral pocket square, one of Kohanzo's top wedding picks. We love that it's not overly floral; instead, it has an earthy, vintage feel. Wear it for a rustic outdoor wedding in the countryside.

Embroidered Wedding Handkerchief

Photo: BrydStyle

A truly perfect pocket square for a wedding, this cotton handkerchief can be embroidered with a personal message—in your own handwriting—to the wearer; it makes a lovely keepsake gift for the groom or father of the bride.

White Silk Pocket Square

Photo: Charles Tyrwhitt

When in doubt: Keep it simple. A straightforward white pocket square will look clean and classic with any suit or tuxedo. This one, rendered in 100% pure silk, has an elevated look and feel for formal occasions.

Red and Cream Paisley Pocket Square

Photo: Ralph Lauren

Our pick for a pocket square for wedding guests at a rustic or barn wedding is this red paisley print, which is both on theme and timeless. Slip it into your suit jacket pocket and finish the look with cowboy boots and a bolo tie.

Hermes Pocket Square

Photo: Hermes

Label junkies, there's nowhere better to turn than Hermes for a chic silk pocket square (grooms, consider gifting them as groomsmen pocket squares). This one comes in six different shades and includes the signature H logo.

Vintage Pheasant Pocket Square

Photo: The Tie Bar

Part of The Tie Bar's collaboration with Camp Wandawega—a fun and rustic lakeside camp for adults (and wedding venue) in Wisconsin—this piece has a retro appeal that's totally trending. "It's a great rich brown for fall," Kohanzo says, "and I especially love the chic border and the unexpected pheasant at the corners."

Watercolor Floral Pocket Square

Photo: The Tie Bar

The Tie Bar teamed up with bridesmaid dress retailer Show Me Your Mumu on a series of prints and patterns—then designed gowns for the girls and accessories for the guys in each print; the two can be matched together to create a cohesive look across the wedding party. This watercolor floral is one of our faves.

Navy Dotted Pocket Square

Photo: Figaret

If you're opting for a simpler pattern or neutral wedding pocket square, look for quality in material and craftsmanship so you can wear it again and again. This one fits the bill: Its navy dotted pattern is basic enough to match a variety of attire, it's made from quality white silk twill and is hand-stitched around the edges in Italy.

Classic White Embroidered Monogrammed Handkerchief

Photo: DonovanDesignLinens

Personalize your groom pocket square with an elegant monogram. This version from Etsy seller Donovan Design is fully customizable, so you can choose a thread color to match your wedding color palette and fabrication to match the dress code.

Color-Trimmed Pocket Square

Photo: Todd Snyder

If you're more of a less-is-more dresser but still want a little pop, look for a plain white pocket square edged with color. For the groom or wedding party, select a color from the wedding palette or florals; as a guest, look to the invitation suite for a hint at wedding hues and wear something you know will fit right in. This Todd Snyder square is trimmed in trending forest green.

Orange Floral Pocket Square

Photo: Otaa

Here's a floral tie and pocket square combo that is so bold you can skip the boutonniere. Vibrant in burnt orange and with a hyper realistic flower motif, it's a statement-making look that pops especially well against navy or forest green suiting. Complete the look with the brand's matching skinny tie.

Dark Floral Pocket Square

Photo: Neiman Marcus

Moody florals are trending when it comes to wedding decor—think deep reds and greens and dark orchids against a black color palette. The look translates to fashion in this pocket square by Eton (one of our fave men's accessories labels). Pair it with a light gray suit to pop.

Charcoal Gray Polka Dot Pocket Square

Photo: The Tie Bar

You heard it here first: "You can't go wrong with polka dots," Kohanzo says. They're subtle here, in a unique palette of navy blue on charcoal gray; the combination is a great complement to gray or blue suiting.

Solid Linen Pocket Square

Photo: J. Crew

For summer or seaside weddings, look to linen: Pocket squares in the fabrication pair well with light tan or neutral suiting and even seersucker. J.Crew does the basic beautifully; this one's available in navy, cream or a pretty shade of gray dubbed Deep Water.

Tropical Floral Pocket Square

Photo: GroomsShop

Destination weddings present an opportunity to go bold and whimsical with fashion; for grooms, that can mean a playful wedding pocket square. We love this one for tropical or desert weddings: It features a botanical-inspired print focused on cactus and aloe plants.

Tan Frame Pocket Square

Photo: SuitSupply

Clean, classic and neutral, this pure cotton SuitSupply square is woven in an Italian mill. The tan border plays well with almost any suiting style, from a cream linen open-collar look to a buttoned-up navy three-piece suit.

Paisley Pocket Square

Photo: Oliver Wicks

For fall weddings, lean into an autumnal color palette and patterns like paisley. This one has both; the olive green background sets the perfect base. Plus, it's printed on one side and solid on the other, offering re-wearability with two looks in one.

Wool Silk Pattern Pocket Square

Photo: SuitSupply

A modern take on classic polka dots, this brown and gray pocket square has a geometric pattern. It's heavier than a typical silk square in Italian wool silk, making it a great pick for fall and winter weddings.

City Pocket Square

Photo: The Tie Bar

As a groom, accessories are the perfect way to personalize your look, whether it's through heirloom cufflinks, a monogrammed tie or the pocket square—in this case, with an homage to your hometown. We love this Chicago square with pops of purple; search for something with a standout personal meaning.

Wedding Pocket Square Etiquette to Know

Pocket squares for a wedding—whether for the groom, wedding party or guests—come in all colors, patterns and fabrics and are a great way to add a pop of personality to the overall look. And while there are rules and specifics to follow, including how to fold a pocket square, the etiquette mostly comes down to expressing your personal style. Here, Kohanzo breaks it down for us.

Do grooms have to wear a pocket square?

"I personally think a pocket square is always a must, regardless of suit type," Kohanzo says. "When the occasion is formal, it's the best way to signify that you understand the art of the detail." Even for more casual weddings—think backyard affairs or outdoor ceremonies—she recommends wearing one. "You can ditch the tie but keep the pocket square, which looks polished yet not stuffy."

Do groomsmen need pocket squares? Should they match?

Kohanzo says yes, the groom's crew should also don pocket squares with their groomsmen outfits. And they should look to the bridesmaids to set the tone. "A traditional bridal party with matching bridesmaid dresses and a clear color palette calls for the groomsmen to coordinate with the groom. For weddings where there is more individuality in the dresses of the bridal party, anything goes."

Are pocket squares necessary for wedding guests?

While they're not required for wedding guests, pocket squares are a great way to express your personal style—and with the art of wedding guest dressing becoming more and more of a trend (and wedding dress codes getting more and more specific), expression is important. Put another way: A pocket square will never hurt, only help, the overall look.

Does a pocket square have to match the tie?

Kohanzo recommends finding pieces that complement, rather than directly match, your tie or bow tie. "It creates more nuance in your look," she says. "One great tip is to vary patterns: If your tie has a small pattern, go with a larger pattern on the pocket square or even a placement print. Stay away from direct matching; at best, it's lazy, and at worst, it's just way too much of a particular color or pattern."

Do you wear a pocket square with a boutonniere?

The short answer: yes. "A pocket square absolutely works with a boutonniere," Kohanzo says. "No need to match the florals as long as the pocket square complements them."

Do tuxedos have pocket squares?

As tuxedos are even more formal than suiting, a pocket square is even more necessary. "To not [wear one] will feel like an unfinished look or seem like you lost it over the course of the wedding," Kohanzo says.

When do you wear a white pocket square vs. a colored one?

Follow Kohanzo's rule of thumb: "Generally, the rule is to wear a pocket square that contrasts your suit: white or light for black or dark suits, and something darker for light-colored suits," she says. "That being said, a white pocket square can look really chic with a tan suit." The bottom line? "If it makes you feel good, go for it."