Beset by Pochette
I have been reading Bespoke for years now and thanks to you guys I have started sporting pochettes. I haven’t yet ventured for the colourful ones but I normally opt for a clean white pocket square, folded straight. The annoying thing is that after a little while, it tends to disappear into the abyss of my breast pocket. What am I doing wrong and how can I avoid constantly readjusting it in public?
Your problem has troubled us even the best of us. The issue is that every breast pocket varies in size. Therefore work out your suit pocket’s dimensions and fold your pochette into a rectangle rather than a square. You’ll find that way it’ll hold splendidly.
Junk in the Trunk
I really hate carrying a wallet. It bulges through the pockets of whatever trousers I’m wearing causing them to become permanently saggy. What can I do to avoid this?
Bulky pockets are the worst, which is why I never carry a wallet. I suggest you do the same. Carry one credit card, your health insurance card, a driving license, and cash and hold it all together with a sterling silver money-clip. Mine is from Mont Blanc.
Freeing Tootsies
I have recently noticed so many guys going sockless. Is this only a spring/summer fashion trend? And does it make sense to sport shoes without them all seasons?
Certainly socks provide warmth in cold climes but regardless of season there are certain shoes you should never wear socks with: boat shoes like Docksides, and driving shoes like Tod’s etc. I also think going sockless works better in the country than in the city for sockless is not a good business look. But then again if you’re a bon vivant that sticks to that ‘four-hour workweek’ I suppose going sockless is just about perfect. Basically there are no strict rules, just use good judgement.
Beat the belt
I always thought the correct thing was to wear a belt with a suit but I have noticed guys not wearing belts with their suits these days. Is this a good look?
I tend to wear a belt most of the time although some of my suits have been purposefully tailored with no belt loops. Instead they have adjustable side tabs, which provide a reasonable amount of adjustment for any weight fluctuations. A good tailor will normally always do this, or alternatively he can sew in some buttons for suspenders, though that may be too ‘Wall Street’ for most.
Staying ahead
Is a gentleman supposed to remove his hat when he walks inside?
Absolutely, gentlemen are always supposed to remove their hats indoor and it’s very bad manners to do otherwise. The problem is that very few people know the meaning and etiquette of the word gentleman anymore. Regardless, if you need further motivation, they say that wearing a hat actually promotes baldness so you’re actually doing yourself a favour by taking it off.
Skirting the issue
What do you think of sarongs for men? Many of my Saudi friends wear Yemeni ones called ‘futas’. David Beckham wears them. I’ve even seen American surfers wearing them. I must say they do look cool - but maybe not for everyone?
Sarongs are one of the best accessories for the beach life. Easy on and easy off. Just wrap one around you, and you’re good to go. Having said that, I would warn against wearing them out and about. You see, away from their natural habitat (beach or home) they may give the impression that you’ve lost the plot.
Any questions you may have on style and etiquette can be directed to info@bespokeinternational.com
