I have heard the dictum that "pocket squares are the new neckties" elsewhere. I was just out and about today in my green blazer, sans necktie but with a pocket square. I, at least, thought I looked pretty good.

I would agree that their use does seem to be spreading. Still, I think the pocket square has lot of catching up to do. Go into any major department store--anywhere on the scale from Macy's to Neiman's--and you will see dozens, perhaps scores of neckties offered for sale compared to each pocket square.

The square does seem to elicit a certain visceral aversion in many sartorially unsophisticated people of both sexes.

It is no doubt significant that contemporary candidates for major public office invariably shun the square. I think Reagan may have been the last exception to this.