Groomsmen Pocket Squares: How to Coordinate Your Wedding Party

Does every couple add pocket squares for the groom and groomsmen? Not at all! But if the wedding party is wearing jackets, pocket squares are a small detail that can help bring their look together. They’re another way to work your wedding colors into the guys’ outfits, too.

The formality of your wedding can help guide your choice. The more formal the wedding, the more likely pocket squares are to be part of the look. White is a classic option for a tuxedo or formal look, while coordinated colors work well with semi-formal suits. Pocket squares can also be worn without a tie for a more laid-back wedding look, especially when paired with a suit or sport coat.

If the wedding party is skipping jackets, pocket squares aren't necessary. Ties, suspenders or socks can help coordinate the group instead. Our groomsmen accessories guide covers more options.

They can! Matching ties and pocket squares are a wedding classic for a reason. They make it easy to coordinate the groomsmen, look great in photos and take some of the guesswork out of ordering accessories. If you want a look that feels pulled together without overthinking every detail, ordering matching ties and pocket squares is a great place to start.

Exact matches aren't your only option, though. Complementary colors and patterns can add variety while keeping everyone's outfit connected.

A patterned pocket square adds visual interest to a solid tie. Choose a pattern that includes the tie color or picks up another shade from the wedding palette. For example, a solid persimmon or terracotta tie pairs well with a pocket square that combines terracotta and coral.

When the tie has stripes, paisley or a floral pattern, a solid pocket square keeps the look balanced. Choose a shade that appears in the tie or complements it. This is also an easy way to coordinate several different tie patterns across one wedding party.

Navy ties with dusty blue pocket squares or dusty purple ties with lilac pocket squares create a coordinated look without an exact match. Check that the shades also work with the suits and the rest of the wedding palette.

Let one pattern take the lead. Pair a bold striped or paisley tie with a simpler pocket square, or wear a subtle tie with a more detailed square.

Tip: Choose the tie first, then the pocket square. It's easier to find a square that complements a tie than to coordinate two competing patterns at the same time.

Pocket squares are an easy way to bring your wedding colors into the groom's and groomsmen's outfits. They can feature your main wedding or tie color, or introduce a complementary shade that complements your wedding color scheme. Take color cues from other parts of the wedding: Bridesmaid dresses, bouquets and other details can all help guide your color choices.

You can also use pocket squares to tie together outfits that aren't identical. If the groom and groomsmen are wearing different suit colors, choosing pocket squares in a shared accent color can help the group look coordinated without making everyone match.

You don't need to work every wedding color into every outfit. Choose one or two shades that complement the suits and repeat them throughout the wedding party's accessories for a look that feels connected.

Give the groom his own moment with a pocket square that sets him apart from the groomsmen. A small change to his pocket square can help distinguish him from the groomsmen while keeping the whole group coordinated.

One option is to give the groom a different color. For example, the groomsmen could wear solid navy squares while the groom wears white or another color from the wedding palette. You could also keep the color the same but choose a patterned square for the groom while the groomsmen wear solids.

The fold offers another way to create a difference. Everyone can wear the same pocket square, but the groomsmen can use a straight fold while the groom uses a puff fold.

If you'd rather keep the pocket squares identical, the groom can stand out through his tie, boutonniere or suit instead.

The right pocket square color depends on the suit, tie and wedding palette. These combinations are useful starting points, but they're not strict rules. Always consider the exact shades you're putting together.

• Navy suits: White, light blue, blush and burgundy.
• Gray suits: White, dusty blue, burgundy, sage and soft pink.
• Black suits and tuxedos: White is traditional, while burgundy, ivory or a wedding color adds a personal touch.
• Tan and light-colored suits: Cream, sage and dusty blue.
• Green suits: Cream, white, blush and earthy neutrals.

Both work well for weddings, so it comes down to the look you want. Solid pocket squares are a classic choice and an easy option when ordering for a larger wedding party.

Patterned pocket squares add detail and can bring extra color into the outfit. They work especially well with solid ties or simple patterns. If you're pairing a patterned tie with a patterned square, choose designs that complement each other without competing for attention.

Fabric affects the look and feel of a pocket square. Silk and satin can suit dressier outfits, while cotton and linen offer different textures that may work well for daytime or outdoor weddings. Keep in mind that silkier fabrics can be more slippery and harder to keep in place, especially if you want a crisp, structured fold.

Consider the material of the ties and the overall formality of the outfits when choosing pocket squares. Coordinated accessories don't have to be made from the same fabric, but they should look like they belong together. Our pocket square guide covers fabrics and other styling basics in more detail.

Absolutely. A pocket square can add color and personality to a suit jacket even when you're skipping the tie. This is a good option for a casual or outdoor wedding where the groom or groomsmen are wearing open-collar shirts.

Without a tie, the pocket square can become the main accessory that connects the outfit to the wedding colors, so a solid pocket square is an easy choice. Choose a color that complements the jacket, and keep the fold simple with a straight or puff fold.

However, if you're skipping the tie, make sure:

• The wedding is not formal. Formal or black-tie weddings call for more traditional attire, which includes a necktie.
• The wedding party is wearing jackets. Pocket squares are designed for the breast pocket of a jacket, not a shirt pocket.

For a coordinated group, choose one fold and have everyone use it. The fold affects how much of the pocket square shows above the pocket and whether the look feels crisp or relaxed.

The straight, or presidential, fold creates a clean horizontal line and is the most modern option. It's especially suited to white or solid pocket squares. Learn how to fold a presidential pocket square.

Point folds add a little shape without drawing too much attention. You can try a one-point, two-point or three-point fold. For a softer, more relaxed shape, try a puff fold. It works well with patterned squares and less formal weddings.

Whichever fold you choose, make sure the square sits securely and doesn't stick up too far. Have the wedding party practice before the big day, since jacket pockets can vary in depth and shape.

You can wear both. A boutonniere adds flowers to the lapel, while a pocket square adds color or pattern to the breast pocket. The two accessories serve different purposes and can work well together.

The key is to keep them from competing. If the boutonniere is large or colorful, choose a simpler pocket square. If the flowers are small and understated, a patterned square can add interest.

Your pocket square doesn't have to match the flowers exactly. Look for colors that complement the boutonniere, tie and suit. Make sure the boutonniere is attached to the lapel and the pocket square sits neatly in the breast pocket so both accessories have room to stand out.

If your groomsmen prefer a keepsake or there are allergies, a lapel pin is a reusable alternative to fresh flowers.

The groom and groomsmen aren't the only members of the wedding party who may wear pocket squares. Coordinating accessories can help fathers, ring bearers and junior groomsmen feel connected to the group without requiring everyone to dress identically.

Fathers of the couple can wear the same pocket square as the groomsmen for a unified look or choose a neutral shade that works with their suits. See our tips for dressing the father of the bride or groom.

For ring bearers, a small, simple pocket square can coordinate a young attendant with the adults. Make sure it works with the child's jacket and feels comfortable. (Some kids' suits do not have breast pockets.) Find more ideas in our guide to dressing your ring bearer.

Junior groomsmen can wear the same colors or patterns as the adult groomsmen to connect their outfits to the rest of the party. Learn more about what a junior groomsman does.

Other family members who are wearing coordinated suits can choose a shared color or neutral square to fit in without looking like groomsmen. Not everyone needs a pocket square, though. If someone isn't wearing a jacket or their outfit is intentionally different, coordinating through ties, colors or other accessories may be enough.

One common mistake is mixing too many patterns. If the ties already have a noticeable design, simpler pocket squares can help keep the outfits balanced. It's also easy to focus on matching the tie and forget about the suit. Check how the pocket square looks with the whole outfit before settling on a color.

Give yourself time to check everything before the wedding. Order early enough to compare the ties, pocket squares and suits together, and have the wedding party practice their folds or fold in advance yourself. A fold that looks great on the table can slump in a real pocket, so a quick practice run can save time on the wedding day.

For more advice, see our post on wedding tie mistakes to avoid.

Start by making a list of everyone who will wear a pocket square. Include the groom, groomsmen and any fathers, ring bearers or junior groomsmen who will have one as part of their outfits.

Once you've settled on the color and style, order the quantity you need and consider purchasing a spare or two in case one is misplaced or damaged before the wedding.

Buying pocket squares with the ties makes it easier to coordinate colors and styles. Our guide to ordering wedding ties walks through timing, while who to buy wedding ties for can help you build your list. If you're matching pocket squares to ties you already have, consider requesting free color swatches to match in person.

The right pocket squares help tie your wedding party’s look together without making everyone look exactly the same. Whether you choose matching squares or mix in a few complementary colors and patterns, aim for a look that fits your wedding style. Shop our pocket squares to find options for your groom, groomsmen and the rest of your wedding party.

Disclosure: This article may include images created or enhanced using artificial intelligence (AI).

TieMart offers budget-friendly men's wedding accessories in a huge range of solid colors and patterns, which includes ties, socks, pocket squares, and more. You'll find accessories for the entire wedding party, from the groom and groomsmen to the ring bearer and father of the bride. Match your wedding colors by requesting free fabric color swatches today.