Handkerchiefs have evolved from functional items to accessories. They date back to Greek and Roman times, and were used for ceremonial and competitive events. Handkerchiefs are made from various materials and can be monogrammed. Pocket squares are worn in breast pockets, and handkerchiefs are more environmentally friendly and gentler on the skin than tissues.
A handkerchief is a square of cloth that you carry in your pocket to wipe your hands, face, or nose. Over the centuries since its inception, the scarf has evolved significantly, and many people today use scarves as accessories, rather than functional items. Whether the intent is functional or decorative, scarves are available at many department stores, in a variety of styles. They can also be made by hand, using materials available at fabric stores.
Some form of handkerchief dates back to Greek and Roman times, when high-ranking members of society wore silk cloth to wipe their hands before eating. Ceremonial uses of the scarf also arose around this time, with women giving scarves to admirers as tokens of affection. Sometimes handkerchiefs were also used to signal the start of an event, with the highest ranking officer present signaling the start by dropping a handkerchief. In the medieval era, kerchiefs played a role in jousting and other competitive events, where they were used as start signals and loyalty signals from supporters of particular competitors.
Classically, handkerchiefs are large squares of silk, cambric, linen, or cotton, although other materials may also be used. The material is usually reasonably absorbent, as a reminder of a handkerchief’s function, and the fabric may be monogrammed with the owner’s initials. Decorative trims are also common on bandanas, and these squares can come in a variety of colors, although white is the traditional choice.
Men sometimes wear handkerchiefs in their breast pockets, in which case the handkerchiefs are known as pocket squares. There are several ways to fold a pocket square, ranging from a simple square fold to an elaborate puff fold. Formal pointed pleats are often worn with dress suits, and some companies even make faux pocket squares out of pieces of cardboard and fabric that are designed to look like a neatly folded pocket square when placed in a breast pocket.
Some people believe that using a tissue is not hygienic. In fact, handkerchiefs are perfectly sanitary as they are washed regularly, preferably after each use. The tissues are also more environmentally friendly than the tissues used to blow your nose and wipe your face, and are gentler on your skin. In a prolonged cold, tissues are less likely to irritate the nose than tissues, which tend to scratch the nose and turn it bright red.
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