In Defense of The Handkerchief

In Defense of The Handkerchief | Brooks Brothers Handkerchiefs – $25.00 for Seven

In an over-sterilized world, the long standing tradition of pulling out a large square of cotton, blowing some snot into it, and then putting it back into your pocket can seem like an odd thing to do.  Here’s why it’s not.

Say you had to blow your nose and you had a kleenex in your pocket.  You whip it out, honk once or twice, and then look for a garbage can.  But perhaps there is no garbage can.  A highly plausible scenario.  Where’s the kleenex go?  Right back in the pocket without a second thought.  Why is it okay in many situations to put that used tissue back into your pocket, but the idea of a handkerchief seems to disgust some people?

Bruce Pask from The New York Times’ Style Magazine:  T Magazine, makes a great argument for bringing back the original nose blower.  His handkerchief use was born from nostalgia, but still… it’s good advice.

Swap out a few things in your pockets when you put on a suit.  Ditch the wallet in favor of a card case and a money clip, and if you’ve got a runny nose lose the kleenex.  Go for an honest-to-God handkerchief instead.  They’re cheap, they can add a bit of personal style in an unexpected place, and you can set aside a few to keep clean for your pocket squares.

It’s a bit less sanitary, but twice as dignified.  Just never… ever use your pocket square.  Okie blow if you have to.  And unlike Bruce, try not to compare hankies with another reusable nose-rag using brethren.

Ultra Cheap Option Below.  Dockers 6-pack of Handkerchiefs.  $12.00  Works just as well.