The term handkerchief is a diminutive of cloth . The concept refers to the small piece of cloth that is mainly used to dry sweat or wipe the nose .
This meaning refers specifically to the so-called pocket handkerchief . In this case, the handkerchief is a square piece that is usually carried in the trousers so that it is at hand in case of need.
Paper handkerchiefs , also known as disposable handkerchiefs , are a substitute for pocket handkerchiefs made of cloth . As the name suggests, disposable handkerchiefs should be thrown away once they become soiled; cloth handkerchiefs, on the other hand, are washed and reused.
The term handkerchief also refers to larger pieces of cloth that are used as a clothing accessory , as a coat or to protect against the sun . In this context, handkerchiefs can be tied in different ways and thus fulfill different functions.
A headscarf, for example, protects against the sun's rays. A scarf tied around the neck, meanwhile, minimizes the impact of the wind . Scarves can also be tied or arranged for aesthetic purposes.
The handkerchief as a clothing accessory for men should be placed in a pocket so that it is visible to others. Although we associate it with formal events, it is important to mention that it can be combined with sports, formal and even informal clothes , so it is used on many different occasions. However, the goal of this type of handkerchief is always the same: to give the wearer a touch of elegance, improving his personal image.
In a ceremony such as a wedding, it is very common and, for clothing experts, highly recommended to give a touch of elegance to our appearance. Let us not forget that tradition provides men with a much smaller variety of clothing than women, and it is therefore necessary to exploit any clothing resource to enhance physical appearance .
One detail that many men take into account when choosing a handkerchief for a special occasion is that its design matches that of the tie: both its colour and the patterns printed on it can match that of the other element to give the outfit a sense of unity. However, nowadays more and more men are doing without the tie in favour of wearing their shirt open at the neck, so this combination is not always possible.
Whether you wear a tie or not, the colour of the handkerchief should not be the same as that of the jacket, as in that case it would not be easy to distinguish. Its pattern should be the same as that of the tie; if this is not possible, then a plain one is recommended.
The size of a handkerchief is one of its most important properties: if it is too small, it can make it difficult to fold so that it sticks out of the pocket, but if it is too large, it will create unnecessary bulk that can cause an imbalance in the jacket. Generally, it is recommended that it measures 30 x 30 centimeters, ideal for playing with folds and achieving striking results.
It is important to mention that scarves can also carry symbolism or have ritual or artistic uses . In many dances , dancers use scarves; waving scarves, on the other hand, can be a sign of protest or emergency .
In Argentina , the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo have the scarf as their emblem. The women who gathered during the military dictatorship to demand the reappearance of their children began to wear a scarf covering their hair as a way of identifying themselves as a group. Over the years, as they continued to demand justice, the use of the scarf became a symbol .