Men's Style

I've lost a little weight. Not much, about 4 pounds. I've been exercising and eating fruits and veggies (especially carrots). I'm making no predictions, but if I can keep going I'd like to go down a couple of belt sizes and buy a new suit or two and get back in the practice of dressing up for lectures.

Anyway, via Paco Enterprises, here's an interesting piece on men's fashion, from William M. Briggs, "Men’s Fashion Advice":

If you’re wearing a jacket (and you should) that has a breast pocket, that pocket should be filled to overflowing with a pocket “square”. The material of this object must only be cotton, linen, or silk. Polyester or any blend is forbidden because it looks cheesy.

Why wear one? Several reasons. The pocket square, like the tie, breaks up the monotony caused by draping one’s chest entirely in one fabric. Nobody now has the fortitude to wear a boutonniere, but these provide the same effect. The more the jacket angles towards one color and lack of pattern, the more the pocket square is needed. And if a jacket is loudly patterned, again, the pocket square can bring relief to the eye.

Ancient advice recommends a pocket square not be cut from the same bot as the tie. This advice is ancient because it is true. If the tie and pocket square match, the eye is strongly drawn to them, and you risk looking studied or goofy: worse, nobody will look at your face. Matching a pocket square to tie can be done, but the probability of a pleasing result is so low that it should not be attempted by the amateur.

More at the link.