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Tissues. They are so passé. Gaudy emblems of our throwaway culture. If only there was some sort of reusable version. Of course, the fine-witted among you know I’m referring to the best men’s handkerchiefs.
I’m sure the first makers and adopters of handkerchiefs would have raised a confused brow at them being called reusable tissues, but did they envisage climate change? Hmm? Did they?
This little piece of cloth is exceptionally handy (pardon the pun) for spillages, coughs, sneezes, dabbing tears, and more. You can fold it up in myriad ways to use as a pocket square on a blazer to bring an extra note to your tailoring.
Is it unhygienic? Nope. Think about the amount of times you will use your handkerchief in a day. Once, twice at most. Then you get home, put it in the wash, and get a new one. They’re always fresh.
And let’s face it, if you have a mucusy cold, then stick to tissues. You don’t want that sliming around in your pockets.
I’ll be honest with you. When I started writing this introduction, I was skeptical about handkerchiefs. But now I’ve thought about it, I’ve done a full 360. I’m a convert. Who cares that they’re not used by anyone under the age of 60 anymore? That’s just another reason to get into them.
So, without further ado, the best men’s handkerchiefs are available to read about down below. Enjoy!
Key Takeaways
After scouring the internet high and low, I can confidently say that the pinnacle of the best men’s handkerchiefs is the reputable Perry Ellis 12-pack handkerchief. These handkerchiefs have a classy design, are made from quality cotton, are good value for money, and come with positive reviews.
Throughout the piece, I also considered the softness and hypoallergenic nature of the fabric. That’s why I chose the Neem London Italian Tencel Biodegradable Deep Neem Circle + Hankie as the runner-up. The TENCEL fabric provides silken softness and a skin-friendly surface for nose blowing.
Why it’s great: All-American Perry Ellis has come through with a stellar set of handkerchiefs for men. Some might say these are some of the best men’s handkerchiefs.
The Amazon reviewers love the hanky’s ability to machine wash and dry with ease. Its practicality, silken white surface, and deft patterning make this an overall winner.
Who is this for: This handkerchief blends elegance, a vintage aesthetic, and ease of use. As appropriate to spruce up a wedding suit as it is for sneezing into on a freezing morning at the mechanics. That’s my way of saying: it’s versatile.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The vintage style might seem anachronistic to some.
Material: 100% polyurethane | Sizes Available: 16″ x 16″ | Colors Available: 1 | Care: machine wash + tumble dry
Why it’s great: This is an affordable choice for a men’s handkerchief. Despite that, these URAQT handkerchiefs will bring exuberance to your daily sneeze. The checked pattern is at once traditional and colorful.
The “polyester cotton” absorbs water well, and strong stitching keeps the handkerchief together. This is a brilliant budget hanky.
Who is this for: Your experienced, traditional, everyday hanky kinda guy. These hankies are soft, durable, and withstand the brutality of the washing machine.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The check pattern might come across as fusty. Plus, reviewers note the thin fabric.
Material: 100% cotton-polyester blend | Sizes Available: 38cm x 38cm | Colors Available: 6 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: If the yarn count is high, then that makes the fabric soft. Most handkerchiefs, even in this list of the best men’s handkerchiefs, have a 30s/40s thread count, i.e., 60-80 thread count. Selected Hankies has opted for a 60s yarn count, meaning it is up to twice as soft as a normal handkerchief.
This commitment to elegance continues through the design. Notice the subtly shifting degrees of blue, the stitched edges, and the smart 5-line pattern around the borders. Reviewers note the perfection of size and that they get softer with each wash.
Who is this for: This set of hankies by Selected Hanky is for the sumptuous at heart, those who prize a soft tactile feel, elegance, and luxury.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: They might seem too delicate and too soft to some old-school hanky users.
Material: 100% premium 60s cotton | Sizes Available: 15.5” x 15.5” | Colors Available: 5 | Care: Machine wash (but hand washing is recommended for increased longevity)
Why it’s great: Despite the baffling brand name (BonjourMrsMr – her surname is “Mr”?) these hankies might be my personal favorite. They give off a comforting vintage feel (what you want in a trusty hanky), but they also have a unique and modern pattern in an array of pleasing tones (greens, grays, blues).
They are of 100% natural cotton and are 100% washing machine and tumble dry-able. Reviewers note the lovely weave but suggest hand washing and ironing for aesthetic upkeep and general longevity.
Who is this for: Buckle up. Thanksgiving 2017. I was in Seattle with my girlfriend having a meal out at a restaurant. She went to the restroom. An old couple turned up, sat down next to us, and asked if I was alone and wanted to join them. That was a very sweet gesture.
But his wife pointed out that there was a coat on my girlfriend’s chair. He said with a cheeky grin, “he might be a two-coat-kinda-guy.” I’ve never forgotten that because I have no idea what it means.
In honor of that sweet man and the three colors in this BonjourMrsMr set, I’ll suggest that these are for three-handkerchief-kinda-guys. I imagine they are sweet, have a good sense of humor, and are extremely generous, like him.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s a deviation from your traditional paisley, checked or plain white men’s handkerchief.
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: 17” x 17” | Colors Available: 3 | Care: Machine wash and tumble dry
Why it’s great: Now, these might look like plain white handkerchiefs (they are). But they are made from super soft 60s cotton, come with stylish details around the edge, and are machine washable. But that’s not all. Oh no.
In the spirit of the best men’s handkerchiefs, let’s have a quick seminar on hanky economics. The Amazon x Scotamalone collaboration offers a case study on economies of scale, AKA, the more you buy, the cheaper the unit cost becomes. Buy 6 hankies, it’s $1.43 per hanky. Buy 48 hankies and that comes down to $0.91 per hanky, thanks to the 5% Amazon deduction offer.
You can always gift them and share the gospel of the hanky. Or set up a men’s handkerchief business empire. Your choice.
Who is this for: This is for those looking for a plain, bulk-bought handkerchief that also happens to be one of the softest and most refined on the market.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: A plain white men’s handkerchief might be a little soulless for some. Plus, some people might not want to invest in handkerchiefs this strongly this early in their journey. This is for the pros who want quality value and timelessness in equal measure.
Material: 100% 60s cotton | Sizes Available: 16” x 16” | Colors Available: 1 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: Stand out with this pristine, design-forward men’s handkerchief by Neem. It is constructed from TENCEL, which is renowned for being a progressive material. Essentially, it is dissolved wood pulp that’s pushed through a kind of thin gauge press to form strings of fibers that are woven to form a fabric.
So, the long and short of it is that it will feel extraordinarily soft, almost like silk. Although TENCEL is also biodegradable, they don’t specify if the dye is natural, so you could still be returning chemicals to the soil.
Who is this for: The debonair gent who wants the softness of his hanky to be matched only by its commitment to ecological progress. An exacting man, if ever I knew one. This’ll look fab tucked into the pocket of a range of different tailoring.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are some of the best men’s handkerchiefs, but the zany pattern may turn a few noses up at it. This is a sunshine hanky reserved for the good times.
Material: 100% TENCEL | Colors Available: 2 | Care: Hand washing under warm water
Buying Considerations for the Best Men’s Handkerchiefs
Material
In terms of the best men’s handkerchiefs, cotton is a traditional choice for a reason. It is soft, durable, washable, breathable, natural, easy to dye, easy to source, and lightweight.
The addition of polyester tends to cheapen the product. It will make it an unnatural garment unable to be recycled or stripped to constituent parts or left to be decomposed. It will also be prone to release microplastics.
TENCEL is a fantastic choice. It is a relatively sustainable fabric (though not perfect), is very soft and easy to print onto. It is biodegradable, but unnatural dyes will still pollute. TENCEL is also hypoallergenic, whereas cotton is not.
Size
The general range is between 15” x 15” to 17” x 17”. This allows a men’s handkerchief to be stored in the pocket or arranged neatly as a pocket square without adding too much heft. But it also retains enough volume to be practical as a handkerchief, AKA a tiny little portable mop.
Washability
Ideally, you want your men’s handkerchief to be machine washable and tumble dry-able. Most on this list are. Yet, with a fabric like TENCEL, you trade off machine washability for its softness. Check the brand for precise washing conditions.
How We Chose
From the pictures, a men’s handkerchief can look promising. You might think, ‘ah, that’ll do, it’s just a men’s hanky’. But you’re not like that, are you? You’re reading an article about the best men’s handkerchiefs. You are an intelligent buyer.
In respect to that, I’ve compiled handkerchiefs that are well reviewed, value for money, and of solid constitution and look the part. Where reviews weren’t easy to garner (NEEM London), it was chosen because of the specific unique material and style that couldn’t be found elsewhere.
Customer Reviews: On Amazon, I made sure that the product was highly reviewed and had a large number of reviews to ensure that the average score was reliable. I then noted people’s qualms and positives and relayed them back to the reader.
Price: The key metric is value. NEEM London is expensive, but TENCEL brings sustainability, silkiness, and hypoallergenic properties.
Material: Not just analyzing the differences in fabric, but nuances within each category. Brands of men’s handkerchief can be quite elusive. URAQT, for example, states a composition of cotton polyester but doesn’t give percentages. I allowed it on this list because it is the “best budget” and fits that category perfectly.
Style: I have presented a wide range of styles: multi-colored, patterned, checked, and plain.
Why Trust Us?
With my decade of modeling for top brands and half a decade of fashion writing for top publications, Harvey has come to know the industry very well. With a rich history of contributions to FashionBeans, Harvey has cemented his expertise across a wide array of topics, from timeless style advice to the latest trends in men’s grooming.
In terms of the best men’s handkerchiefs, Harvey has done the hard yards so you don’t have to, in the same way that he has in examining travel blazers and Ray-Bans.
Final Verdict
The top overall among the best men’s handkerchiefs in this selection is the Perry Ellis 12-pack handkerchief. It is made by a brand with an impeccable history of fashion design, authenticity, and high standards. Plus, the suave but simple design, positive reviews, and value for money make it a no-brainer.
FAQ
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This is a cop-out, but it’s an individual preference. Of course, you want a nice style, good materials, and a favorable price. I would suggest putting durability and longevity as a top priority since a hanky doesn’t need to be a visible accessory. To achieve this look, use premium, thick cotton fabrics.
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This is a damn good question. I can safely say that none of my friends do (I’m 30 y/o). When someone whips out a hanky, it feels like they’re waving a museum ornament in my face. “Ah yes,” I think, “I guess people still use these curious rags.” But, after writing this piece and giving the concept some thought, it’s begun to make sense. So, this man is going to begin using handkerchiefs imminently. When they trace the “Great Rag Revolution of 2024” in the future, they’ll trace it to this URL.
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Harvey James is a freelance journalist, short story writer, and (very) occasional model. When he’s not writing features for the likes of HIGHSNOBIETY, WIRED, VICE, or British GQ loosely around tech/fashion/culture, he’s out being active, wholesome, and social. His current obsession is being bad at squash.
