Silk Pocket Squares

Otway & Orford was inspired by the founder’s grandfather, a captain of several glamorous liners during the 1920s and 1930s, who always wore a pocket square whether at sea or on land. The brand is named after two of his ships.

With that Otway & Orford create beautiful silk pocket squares in the home of British silk printing, Macclesfield. As a new brand they are trying to redefine and modernise the silk pocket square landscape by collaborating with some of the finest British artists to create striking and colourful designs, that not only look beautiful but have a story to tell. Each silk pocket square can become a wonderful icebreaker and talking point, especially with another enthusiast.

Each silk pocket square is finished the traditional way by hand-rolling and hand-sewing the hems of the silk twill squares. The themes of British aviation, automotive and sporting events are tackled with vibrant expertise. The pocket squares are unique and are perfect for today’s formal as well as more relaxed styles for men. The evocative and timeless artworks mean men can keep something close to their chest that is not only visually appealing but that also carries more personal meaning for the wearer. Wearing a piece of art on a subject that is close to your heart. The silk pocket squares are large-size and measure 42 x 42cm (16.5” x 16.5”).

The stirring favourites include sporting action from the worlds of football, rugby, cricket, cycling and racing; the Spitfire; the Red Arrows; classic motor racing at Le Mans and the Italian Job Minis. Many are contemporary artworks and the artists represent some of today’s leading exponents in their fields such as ‘painter of speed’ John Ketchell, aviation artist David Bent, printmaker Paul Cleden and sports artist Paine Proffitt. One of the older artworks is the aerial combat painting from 1941 by war artist Paul Nash (1889-1946) featured on the ‘Battle Of Britain’ pocket square in collaboration with The Imperial War Museums. The other is a rugby union painting from 1938 by Australian modernist artist Roy de Maistre (1894-1968) used on the ‘The Football Match’ pocket square in collaboration with its owner the Janet Holmes à Court Collection.

Otway & Orford silk pocket squares make the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for the events or sports that they depict.