Shirt Pockets

Recently one of my readers called with an out-of-the-blue question: "is it okay to wear a shirt with a pocket with a suit?"

I paused for a moment, flattered by the attention and unaware of the context (as neither he nor I wear a suit very often). All I said was, "yeah . . . that's okay." Within a short time I realized that the answer I had given was far from complete. I'll try to correct that now.

Assuming that you are wearing a suit, you have to bear in mind the many pockets your jacket and trousers already contain. Anything you need to store can certainly go into one of those pockets. Also, a shirt without a pocket is certainly considered to be more dressy than one which has a pocket.

At a higher level it is good to remember to carry as few things in your pockets as possible, as any one of these things (wallet, handkerchief, cellphone, glasses, etc.) will cause a bulge and ruin the line of the suit, as well as the slim silhouette you want to present to the world.

Here's what I think about when considering shirts that go with suits. In today's world, where I live, a suit is fairly dressy all by itself. I am largely a button-down kind of guy and yet I know that the spread collar works well with suits. Those shirts that I have had made with spread collars also have no pockets, as I would seldom wear one of them by itself without being dressed up for a formal occasion (wedding, funeral, etc.). However, when push comes to shove and I'm getting dressed for church let's say, I still tend to fall back on that button down as the shirt of choice, the one I'm most comfortable in.

In and of itself, knowing the "rules" is pointless. There's only one reason to know the rules, and that is to know where the exceptions are. So, if you feel comfortable wearing a button down collar with a suit (or a shirt with a pocket), I say go for it.

In the end what's more important is that you feel comfortable in your own skin and project that to the world.