How to Fold a Handkerchief for a Tuxedo

Forming the Presidential Fold

Place the handkerchief on a flat surface. Any clean, hard and flat surface will do. Make sure that the handkerchief is fully unfolded on the surface. Smooth out the wrinkles and folds with your palms. The handkerchief is typically a white pocket square made out of silk or linen.

Fold the handkerchief in half. Bring the upper half of the handkerchief over the lower half to create a rectangle shape.

Fold the left side of the handkerchief over the right side. You do not have to fold the handkerchief exactly in half this time around. Instead, you may allow the edge of one side to fall short of the other. How much of one side of the handkerchief you fold over the other depends on the depth of your pocket, and how much of the handkerchief you want to show above the line of your breast pocket. Keep it in mind that there are different procedures and ways for folding your handkerchief to create the Presidential Fold. The best procedure depends on the relative dimensions of your handkerchief and your breast pocket. The essential goal is to create a shape that matches the dimensions of your pocket.

Tuck the folded handkerchief into the breast pocket of your jacket. Ensure that it is the undivided edge along the line of folding that is visible outside your pocket, and not the opposite end with multiple overlapping edges. If your handkerchief is slightly bigger than your pocket, you may need to push it in gently. But after you have snuggled it down to the base of your pocket, smooth it out for a smart and neat look. Ensure that only about a quarter of an inch of the handkerchief appears as a strip with a straight and even edge at the top of your pocket. The Presidential Fold is suited to formal (White Tie) and semi-formal (Black Tie) attire.

Creating the Classic Fold

Place your handkerchief on a smooth, hard and clean surface. Unfold it on the flat surface. Ensure there are no wrinkles and folds.

Fold the handkerchief exactly in half. Bring the left side of the handkerchief over the right side (or vice versa). Ensure that the two halves overlap evenly. You now have a rectangle shape.

Fold the handkerchief in half from the bottom. Bring the bottom half of the handkerchief over the top half. Ensure, once again, that the two halves overlap evenly. You now have four layers of overlapping rectangles. Keep it in mind that there are different ways of folding your handkerchief to create the Classic Fold. The procedure you adopt depends on the relative dimensions of your handkerchief and the breast pocket of your tuxedo jacket.

Tuck the handkerchief into your breast pocket. Ensure that it is the end of the folded handkerchief with multiple edges that is visible above the line of your pocket. The overlapping edges at the top constitute the main distinction between the Classic Fold and the Presidential Fold. You may have to fold up the lower edge of your handkerchief to make its height match the depth of your pocket. The Classic Fold is a less formal version of the Presidential Fold. The casual style means that you don't have to take care to make the layered edges symmetrical. Allowing the multiple edges to overlap asymmetrically adds to the casual feel of the Classic Fold.

Getting the One Peak Fold Right

Lay the handkerchief on a solid, flat, and clean surface. Ensure that it is fully unfolded. The handkerchief should, preferably, be placed with its corners facing up and down so that it has a double triangle or diamond shape.

Fold the handkerchief diagonally in half. Lift one corner of the handkerchief and bring it to touch the diagonally opposite corner. Performing this operation creates two overlapping triangles. Each triangle has half the area of the original square or rectangular handkerchief.

Fold the right or left bottom corner along the base of the triangle. Fold the corner by lifting it and placing it about halfway along the base of the triangle. The base of the triangle is the line that formed the diagonal of the original square or rectangular cloth. You may have to press the folded corner down with your hand to hold it in place while you perform the next step.

Fold the other bottom corner. Repeat step 3 from the opposite corner of the triangle. Make sure that the folded base holds its shape. You now have a handkerchief with a single triangular peak or pointed tip.

Place the handkerchief in your breast pocket. Take care to ensure that the folded base holds its shape as you push it down to the base of your pocket. Also ensure that the pointed triangular end is visible outside your breast pocket. The handkerchief may wrinkle or fold while you gently stuff it into your pocket. Smooth out the wrinkles and folds. The One Peak Fold is less formal than the Presidential Fold, but it is still generally considered appropriate for formal attire (White Tie) as well as semi-formal (Black Tie) attire. The One Peak Fold first became popular during the Jazz Era. It remains popular today because of its aesthetically pleasing and streamlined diagonal appearance.