Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We have listed below the most popular questions about Otway & Orford pocket squares. If your question is not included here, please get in touch with us via the 'Contact Us' section of the website and we'll happily answer your query.

What type of pocket square designs do you have?

Our 'Passions' designs, in collaboration with leading artists & galleries, feature vibrant works of art depicting subjects close to most men's hearts - legendary cars, iconic aircraft and favourite sports. Customer favourites include the Spitfire, Aston Martin, rugby, sailing, golf and horse racing inspired designs to name but a few.

Our 'Fresh Classics' are a fresh take on classic pocket square designs (many from the glamorous 1920s & 1930s), including polka dots, paisleys & repeat patterns.

Where are the pocket squares made?

Our pocket squares are Made in England by the best pocket square maker in the UK. We manufacture in Macclesfield Cheshire, the traditional home of the English silk industry.

Are the silk pocket squares high quality?

We work with the best pocket square maker in the UK. We use fine quality 100% Mulberry silk twill, which is carefully printed to ensure a perfect image and an excellent colour balance between the printed & reverse sides (this means you can use any pocket square fold with them as it doesn’t matter which side shows). The cut edges of the pocket squares are painstakingly and skilfully rolled & sewn by hand to create the distinctive 'shoestring' hem, characteristic of high-quality pocket squares.

All these elements together ensure you receive a luxurious and high-quality silk pocket square that should last a lifetime and beyond. This is the quality of the best that you will find on London’s Jermyn Street and Savile Row.

Which size pocket square should I choose?

Most men's suit jackets are best with a full-size silk pocket square (42 x 42cm/16.5" x 16.5"); the pocket square will sit nicely and not disappear down into the pocket. The majority of high-quality pocket squares sold in the UK are full-size.

Our medium-size pocket squares (33 x 33cm/13" x 13") are best for more fashion led suits, where the top pocket is often smaller in size.

How do I fold a pocket square?

There are so many ways to fold a pocket square (851 apparently) but simple is best. Under the ‘Pocket Square Styling’ section of our website, we’ve written about our two favourites, which are simple and look great in any top pocket.

Do the pocket squares make good gifts?

Each pocket square arrives tissue-wrapped in a smart and robust Otway & Orford gift box and the beautiful silk pocket squares make for thoughtful presents on any occasion, whether birthday, anniversary, Christmas or just as a heartfelt thank you. The 'Passions' collection pocket squares are particularly popular as they feature vibrant works of art depicting subjects close to most men's hearts - legendary cars, iconic aircraft and favourite sports - allowing you to choose something that really strikes a chord with the recipient. Of course, a beautiful ‘Fresh Classic’ design pocket square is a pleasure to receive whoever you are.

As well as the complimentary Otway & Orford gift box, we also offer a gift-wrapping service, which can be added to your order from each section of the shop.

Is a pocket square the same as a pocket handkerchief or hanky?

Yes, it is. How this top pocket adornment is called seems too have changed with its recent rise in popularity. Formerly mostly known as a pocket handkerchief or hanky, nowadays it is commonly referred to as a pocket square.

Do you create bespoke pocket squares, for example for weddings and for corporate orders?

Yes, we do. Please get in touch via the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website and we can prepare a specific quotation for you. From the date of placing the order for an agreed pocket square design (we would normally produce a sample before order placement to check that you are happy with it), please allow between 8 to 10 weeks to receive the finished product. The time to produce the pocket squares is reflective of the traditional and high-quality nature of manufacturing.

Do you sell outside the UK?

We sell to many countries apart from the United Kingdom. If we do not list your country of delivery on our website, please do get in touch and we can almost certainly sort something out.

Will I have to pay tax/duties on my purchase?

This will depend upon where the delivery is going to. If you are ordering for delivery within the UK, then the price you see shown is the price you will pay, so no extra sales tax or duties are payable. Outside the UK, we work in two ways.

For deliveries to the EU, sales tax is due and we sell on the basis of DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) where we charge the required sales tax (alongside the shipping cost) so that the recipient does not have to pay anything extra prior to delivery. We do this for the whole of the European Union apart from Malta, where logistical issues make this impossible for us to do.

For every other country in the world that we ship to (including Malta), we supply on a DDU basis (Delivery Duty Unpaid) where we do not charge anything extra on top of the standard prices on our website. However, sales tax/duties may be payable locally prior to delivery but this depends upon the country. Many countries have allowances where nothing is payable up to a certain order value. The USA operates like this and has a generous threshold of $800 on items for personal use.