Pocket Square Clothing - Product Review

That Dapper Chap reviews the products available from US based mens accessory brand Pocket Square Clothing.

This is a sponsored post of unbiased opinion

POCKET SQUARE CLOTHING

Pocket Square Clothing was established in 2011 as a men’s accessory brand. With no formal fashion training but with an architectural and business background, founders Rodolfo Ramirez and Andrew Cheung sought to create a lifestyle brand beyond clothing. 

To date they feature a collection of handcrafted bow ties, skinny neckties and pocket squares. The brand is a reflection of the ideals behind the Urban Gentleman. This is their effort to tell a story, to inspire and be inspired, and to create a powerful connection with you through timeless pieces and I shall review some of their products for your now.

Dapper chaps wearing PSC clobber. Image courtesy of PSC

Pocket Square Clothing takes pride in its domestic manufacturing and attention to detail. Using traditional techniques, everything is carefully handcrafted by some of the oldest remaining craftsmen in the heart of Los Angeles. Each piece comes with a narrative and fully handcrafted vintage inspired packaging. The brand follows the mantra that American made is better, and that quality and attention to detail is key

PRODUCT

The Pocket Square Clothing Company offer gents like you and I a range of good quality accessories from neck ties to bow ties, pocket squares (of course), socks, lapel pins, tie bars and even leather wallets and portfolio cases.

I received four bow ties, two neckties and three pocket squares.

The Broker bow tie I received from PSC

Some of the products available from PSC

  

PRICE

At $56 (£37) for a neck tie the price is very reasonable. You must bear in mind of course that these items are designed and manufactured in the USA, not mass produced in the sweat shops of China or Turkey. Each item is perfectly considered and handmade with integrity.

A bow tie will cost you $56 (£37) for a self tie and $40 (£26) for a pre tied, vintage style, clip on version if you're new to bow ties or simply can't be bothered to tie one.

My green, red & blue striped bow tie(no longer available)

Pocket squares are priced at $26 (£17) and they also offer sets of three at $55 (£36)

Tie bars and lapel pins are set at $30 (£20) and socks are $19.50 (£13)

Overall I do not think these prices are unreasonable.

PACKAGING & PRESENTATION

The packaging is most impressive. My package arrived in a sturdy cardboard box and inside, each item was individually packed in its own branded dust bag. Along with this was a thank you card and a business card, showing great attention to detail and making the product feel very special.

In addition to this, each item has its own printed swing tag and the pocket squares come with a printed card sleeve  

The printed dust bag and business cards

the delightful printed card sleeve which comes with every pocket square

Each product comes with an individual swing tag

PERFORMANCE

Each item is very well made and you can trust the quality that you will get from Pocket Square Clothing products. I found no poor stitching, loose threads or snags. They are all very well made, neat and well presented.

The bow ties tie well and hold their knots as do the neck ties which I thought may be an issue as the two I chose were of a thick wool (well, it is winter) 

One of the thick wool ties in my collection

Two of the pocket squares I received are of very fine fabric which gives a 'floppier' feel so I had to adjust them a couple of times to get the right look as they do not have the same level of stiffness that some of my other squares have. 

My PSC Pocket Squares

My 'Madras' bow tie $56 from PSC

PERTINENCY

If you're a man who likes to dress up and use accessories to create an individual look or to inject from color and personality in to your daily outfits, Pocket Square Clothing is for you. If you are a true patriot and like to buy from a trusted company that trades ethically and manufacturers in the US give PSC a look.

PSC offer a great range of colour, pattern and texture. There will be something that you like.

 beautiful floral pocket square, perfect for spring

Instagrams TheDoleBoy sporting PSC

PRO’s AND CONS

I love the wide choice of products, from classic designs to bright florals, quirky designs to sedate. I know that I will be able to log on to their site and see something I want.

The quality is great and the packaging makes each item feel high end.

My own bow tie, styled with a floral shirt by Open Menswear

In addition, the fact that these items are all made in Los Angeles is a huge plus that cannot be ignored

I have genuinely struggled to find an area that I think Rodolfo and Andrew can improve on. If I could think of some constructive criticism I would write it, but I am honestly more than satisfied with my range of products, the brand and the entire package.

Gents styled in PSC. Image courtesy of PSC

PEOPLE

The team were most impressed by the packaging and the individual dust bags. They loved the colours and patterns of the bow ties and the pocket squares and said that they were of very good quality.

Your truly styling the 'Southern Gents' bow tie with a mustard shawl collar cardigan

PRECIS

Overall Rodolfo and Andrew have got it spot on. The range of products is good, their product styling and presence on social media is very savvy and their passion for what they do is clear from the products they sell and the effort they put in to give the quality that they do.

That Dapper Chap is a fan. Take a look and you will be too.

PROMOTION

     

THANKS FOR READING!

Meet Monsieur London

That Dapper Chap visits Monsieur London, one the most stylish of men's boutique stores in the heart of London

I stepped off the tube train at London’s Piccadilly Circus and turned up the collar on my wool suit jacket and held it tight against my chin in an effort to keep out the harsh January chill that did its best to creep into every available space.

After a short walk along Regent Street, passing huge stores with famous names and glittering window displays, I turned towards Royal Opera Arcade and spotted Monsieur London; a quaint little store nestled among the grand architecture of its surroundings. Protected and hugged by these huge buildings like a little Brother being looked after by bigger siblings.

 

Yours truly with Monsieur Londons dapper mannequins

Monsieur London is a welcome retreat from all of the huge brands that sit a stones throw away, with their mass produced stock, over smiley staff, huge displays and prices to match. Monsieur London is all about the individual; it is warm and welcoming and feels like stepping back in time to a more gentile era, when a gentleman could expect personal service and staff who know their items inside out.

 

The interior of the store, small but perfectly stocked

Everything in Monsieur London exudes class and is beautifully presented, and this includes the owner Valentin who met me with a firm handshake and a warm smile. Wearing a tweed cap and a jaunty pocket square, Valentin took me through their collections of high end, top quality men’s accessories, all of which are at astonishingly affordable prices. The concept for Monsieur London is to have a British heritage feel with a French twist.

 

The Proprietor Valentin in his tweed cap 

Where it all began

Back in 2011 you'll have found Valentin working as a Political Journalist. But bored with their Jobs, Valentin and friend Thibault resigned and decided to travel. Not satisfied with a small jaunt across to another city, the two of them decided to hitchhike from Alaska to Argentina!

Thibault and Valentin back on solid ground

While in Columbia they met a gentleman making suede lined, fine leather bags and they both fell in love with them. So much so that it planted the seed of opening a gentleman's boutique, selling high quality bags and accessories. A few months later and the friends landed in London. By this time, that small seed had been nurtured and had grown into a full concept, and Monsieur London was born online in 2013 and since then they haven't looked back. Their first store, just off Regent Street opened last year offering a wealth of fine accessories for the discerning gent.

Valentin with the bag that started it all

Thibault and Valentin are passionate about providing the highest quality products and they have their products made by hand wherever possible. Many of their products are designed in the basement of their store and they source all of the fabrics and elements that make up their products themselves. Valentin even designed the Hare/Rabbit logo himself, studying videos of running rabbits and hares on YouTube.

Is it a rabbit or is it a hare?

Neck Ties

On a small table in the middle of the store sits a range of delightful neck ties. There are a selection of pure silk ties, all made in the UK, with the silks printed in the Macclesfield UK and stitched in Robertsbridge. There are also ties in grenadine weaving, Royal Irish poplin and also ties in silk and merino wool which travel extremely well as they do not crease.

 

stripes and prints. Something for everyone

Beautiful handmade ties in fantastic printed silks

Just a few of the selection of ties available

You’ll find the current range in sumptuous autumnal colours with some brights thrown in for those that wish to make a statement. With patterns including pine cones and the Monsieur London rabbit/hare, along with a more traditional diagonal stripe, there really is something here for everyone, and also something different for those that wish to stand out from the crowd.

In store you’ll also find a range of knitted ties that are not yet available on the website, so it’s worth a visit.

All ties are handmade and are a snip at £38-£66

The selection of fine wool knitted ties

Bow Ties

If you’re more of a dandy fellow or want a change from the neck tie, why not opt for a bow tie? They are of course made in silk and are available in a range of colours and patterns. All bow ties are self tie but, to help out the first time bow tie wearer, they are available pre tied for you, so you are able to wear it straight away and then learn how to tie it later with the instructions that are included in every box. These handmade bow ties are available at £42-£44

Pocket Squares

By the window is a selection of 100% silk and 100% cotton pocket squares in a range of prints and colourways to suit every outfit. At 36” square you’ll find classic paisleys and polka dots and my personal favourite the Fontainebleau which has a slight medieval pattern and depicts running stags, made from a mix of wool and silk which gives a heavier and luxurious feel.

A wonderful array of pocket squares to choose from

Gloves

I fell in love with the Monsieur London gloves. Made in Millau in France from the finest lamb skin and lined in silk they are very soft and give a great fit as the leather will adjust to your hand when worn. The fineness of the leather results in a less bulky glove allowing the wearer to feel beyond the glove.

Some question why the gloves are lined in silk and not cashmere. This is because silk retains warmth better and gives a lighter result than a glove lined with cashmere.

Beautiful gloves in soft and supple leather

They currently stock four styles in the Bouquingan range in plain black and brown, black and brown with a contrast edge between the fingers and a plum leather for the gent that wants something a 
little different.

The plum coloured Bragelonne silk lined gloves £141

In addition to the traditional glove they also stock driving gloves in four colourways each with a dash of contrasting colour on the trim. These gloves will last you years and get better with age. At £134-£141 a pair they are a great investment.

The Treville driving gloves £134

I am not the only fan of their gloves however, and Valentin was proud to tell me of an American customer who collects gloves and now owns over four hundred pairs.  Not only does this gentleman of impeccable taste buy the range of gloves available but Monsieur London offers a bespoke service where an individual may have a pair of gloves made to any specification that they wish and he takes advantage of this service also.

Belts and Braces

I love the Monsieur London braces. Not only are they available in a fantastic range of colours and made in the UK, but they also come with both clips and leather button fastenings so the buyer can choose how he fastens his braces to his trousers. 

Easy to alter you can take them from clip to button on in a moments notice. As a bonus you'll also find the necessary buttons inside the box! If you need instructions on how to sew buttons to your trousers just take a look at the article I wrote on braces for Bespoke Unit here.

Buttoned up to avoid a loose trouser moment

The range of belts available is also very impressive. Made from British leather, they are another item made and hand stitched in the UK. And if there isnt a belt available to suit your needs, why not have a bespoke one made just for you? They'll also monogram your belt for a small fee to make it even more individual

Beautiful Belts £107-£112

Hats

Hats are the most popular items sold at monsieur London and I can see why. Made in France by one of the very last hat makers, they are available in five sizes from 56 to 60 and available in a great selection of colours. The Monsieur London Antoine hat is made from 100% wool felt with a satin lining. This hat comes with instant elegance built in.

The Antoine hat in green and cognac

Valentin himself wearing the green Antoine hat £98.00

In addition to the stunning range of felt hats, Monsieur london also offer a more summery selection and have in stock the classic Panama for £58-£95

Scarves

At this time of year every gent needs a great scarf, not only to keep out the cold and be functional but also to look good. If you're going to invest, go for quality natural fabrics like the selection valentin and Thibault have in store.  With merino and lambs wool, you cannot go wrong.

All hand loomed in Ireland, they scream quality and at just £108 they are a must have items right now.

Some of the selection of beautiful scarves in store

What's Next?

So, with a solid concept, a beautiful store and a loyal fanbase, what's next for the chaps at Monsieur london. Not wanting to rest of their laurels, Valentin and Thibault have many plans for the coming year. 

The last year has seen them travel with their concept and open pop up shops in both London and Paris. In fact the pop up in Paris went so well that they are planning to open a store there in July.

They are keeping things to themselves so far and staying true to the Monsieur London brand. There are no plans to open in other stores or sell wholesale just yet as they want to keep prices affordable for all.

Whatever happens in the future I know that with their passion, Valentin and Thibault will make it a huge success and I wish them all of the very best of British (and French) luck. I just pray for an invite to the Paris store opening!

Cheery dapper chaps Thibault and valentin plan their next adventure

Find Monsieur London

      

 

THANKS FOR READING!