Handkerchiefs are a small piece of fabric, to be sure, but they are invaluable. From wiping the sweat off your brow after a last day of work to being a personal calling card in matters of heart, they have been used since time immemorial. Thus, there are several fabrics that have been transformed into a handkerchief, from sturdy cotton to soft silk. Let us take a look at the various properties of these fabrics and what each adds to the small square of cloth everyone ought to carry.
Material Selection for Handkerchiefs
There are several materials used for handkerchiefs all over the world, each with its own benefits in terms of absorbency, environmental impact, finance, and more. For example, cotton is durable and affordable while bamboo gets softer with each wash and has anti-microbial properties. In this blog, we will look at factors such as absorbency, softness, durability, versatility, and more to figure out which fabric you need for your perfect handkerchief.
Absorbency
Let us start with a fabric that is popular in humid countries, cotton- a material that is soft, absorbent, durable, and comfortable. According to experts, the absorbency, a desirable trait in any handkerchief, is a result of space between cotton fibers.
Where cotton is the material of the worker, silk is favored by kings and queens. Silk experts say that this is one of the best materials for making a handkerchief because it is highly absorbent and has rapid moisture release, which means it can be used all day to wipe sweat and tears without holding onto foul odor, making it a comfortable fabric to be turned into a handkerchief.
Best Handkerchiefs for Sweat
Men’s Handkerchiefs,100% Soft Cotton
Made from premium 60s cotton- the thread count claims to make this softer than other handkerchiefs on the market- this is a perfect gift. Absorbent, made of natural fibers, and soft. The only downside is that it is handwash only, but no pain no gain right?
Men’s Handkerchiefs 100% Soft Cotton White Hankie Hankerchieves
Machine washable, and made of 100% cotton, this handkerchief folds neatly in your pocket and saves you from embarrassment when sweat or tears need to be wiped. However, they are thin and not soft, which is what I look for in a handkerchief.
Softness and Comfort
Once again, we start with what is often called the best fabric for handkerchiefs, cotton. Cotton handkerchiefs, if not soiled by mucus, can be washed by hand or in the washing machine, making them a low-maintenance and comfortable piece of clothing. Unless you are allergic to dyes or cotton fabric, these handkerchiefs or hankies can be used by people with any skin type. Silk and microfiber handkerchiefs are known for being soft and comfortable to use. Bamboo is also a good choice for those who want soft clothing as bamboo tends to get softer with each wash and has antimicrobial properties, which is welcome in a cloth like a handkerchief which will gather all sorts of bacteria.
Softest Handkerchiefs on the Market
Men’s Pure Cotton Handkerchief White Hankies
Made of 100% cotton, these claim to be the perfect gift for gentlemen and extremely soft.
Sweat Absorbing Handkerchiefs – The Original Sport Microfiber Hankies for Wicking Sweat from Hands, Face, Body
While these claim to be sweat-absorbent, reviews praise them for softness while saying the velvety texture does not help with sweat at all. Made of microfiber they are stain resistant and extremely soft, which is always a plus in a handkerchief.
But being soft and absorbent alone isn’t enough, as handkerchiefs need to last to be economical and eco-friendly. Which fabrics are known for that? Let’s find out.
Durability and Longevity
India Time hails cotton as the best fabric for handkerchiefs due to its breathability, durability, and absorbency. While not great for the environment, due to the minor issue of microplastics that are now even found in human blood, handkerchiefs made of high-quality polyester blends too stand the test of time.
Durable Handkerchief Example
Men’s Pocket Square Solid Color Handkerchief
Environmental Sustainability
When it comes to the environment, cotton- the best fabric for handkerchiefs- has quite a few nuances but can be put in the good for the planet category. It is water-intensive enough to have taken a toll on the Aral Sea, but it is natural and biodegradable. Conventional cotton is bad for the environment precisely because of this water intensiveness and the surface runoff caused by pesticides. Organic cotton, while good for the soil and better than polyester-based fabrics, still takes quite a toll on the planet and thus recycled cotton and upcycled cotton are the heroes of the environmental panel.
Except if it is dyed with toxic dyes but who has the time to look into that?
While durable polyester blends are non-biodegradable, hemp, a sustainability hero due to its ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and nourish the soil it grows in, can be used to make handkerchiefs that are prone to more wrinkles than cotton and often blended with polyester. Even if you manage to get your hands on 100% hemp handkerchiefs, they are likely to be expensive, even if they are breathable.
Silk isn’t vegan and can be a source of pollution, especially in the dying process, but the first is set to change with the advent of banana silk and ahinsa silk. But, silk handkerchiefs can be expensive which makes me question is beauty and luxury enough to pay for something that is heavy on the planet and the wallet.
As we know, to be sustainable, something has to have fair wages, locally sourced raw materials, a long lifecycle, and be financially viable for us, the consumers. Let’s see which fabrics stand true to the last one.
An Eco-Friendly Handkerchief
This product made of natural fibers like cotton claims to be super soft, ultra absorbent, and fast drying. What’s better is that it is machine washable and dryer approved. However, the lack of certifications must be kept in mind.
The product claims to be made of eco-friendly bamboo and extremely soft but provides no certifications to backup the claims. Reviews claim that it needs to ironed after used, and looses softness, but considering it is made of an antibacterial product raw material that itself is eco-friendly, these are better than most polyester based handkerchiefs.
But is a handkerchief truly sustainable if it’s not financially viable?
Cost and affordability
Cotton once again shines as one of the most affordable materials to the point that almost every household in the world contains cotton-based clothing. The comfort of the fabric coupled with its durability puts it firmly in the value-for-money category. Linen, too, can be said to be cost-effective in terms of handkerchiefs, due to its durability if taken care of.
The easiest way to get value for your money though, is by using something for a long time and upcycling or recycling it in various ways. Handkerchiefs can be multi-purpose, especially those made of versatile materials like silk and cotton.
Budget-Friendly Handkerchiefs
Made of 100% cotton, these handkerchiefs are budget-friendly and perfect for everyday use.
While they aren’t the softest or the most durable, and extremely thin, they still have been called a good product by many, especially considering their price. Made of 100% cotton, they claim to get softer with each wash and many have claimed them to be the best gift for dads and granddads.
Multi-Purpose Functionality
From being turned into dolls or coupling many handkerchiefs together to create a patchwork quilt, if you have the skills and the imagination, handkerchiefs can go places. They are quite versatile. For example, silk handkerchiefs can be tied around your head like a bandana which will give you a cute Blair Waldroff look and bring back the nostalgia of the 2000s. Cotton handkerchiefs can be repurposed as makeup wipes which are gentle on the effective and quite effective in a double cleanse. And did we mention handkerchief patchwork quilts? Cute and reminds one of their grandmas, though how hygienic are they, we don’t claim to know.
But do you know what’s the true test of which fabric is best for a handkerchief? The stain test. After all, no one, just no one wants to spend ages trying to wash out mud stains from a white cloth. The mere thought sends chills down me spine, I tell you.
Stain Resistance
According to Martha Steward, the more absorbent a piece of fabric is, the easier it is to get stains out of it. While cotton stains easily, it is just as easy to get the stains out with the correct washing techniques. It seems cotton just can’t stop winning when it comes to being the best fabric for handkerchiefs.
Hemp too does not seem to stain easily and is said to cling to bacteria less, and who wouldn’t want that in a handkerchief?
So affordable cotton or expensive hemp, let us know in the comments which you’ll be picking. But wait, there’s one last factor to factor in before you make your choice. Which fabric works best in which season?
Stain Resistant Handkerchief
While these tend to wrinkle extremely easily making the problem of ironing a necessary evil, they are made of 100% cotton which makes them easy to clean when it comes to stains.
These claim to be made of 100% cotton, which we have established is a material that is easy to wash and get stains out of.
Season Suitability
While cotton hankies can be used all year round, they are best for summer months, when the humidity and heat make us sweat buckets which cotton handkerchiefs can soak right up. Another win for cotton. At this point, let’s not even keep score because cotton is leading by a mile. Other lightweight and breathable fabrics like linen are well-suited for summer too.
It is advised to pick warm and insulting fabrics like fleece and wool in winter but is that really desirable in a handkerchief? You let us know in the comments!
Now that we have established that cotton is the best fabric for handkerchiefs in almost every aspect, why don’t we look at some of the best cotton handkerchiefs that online shopping has to offer us?
Best Handkerchief made from cotton
100% cotton handkerchiefs that can be machine washed and you get to support a small business? That’s a deal, I tell you. A deal. With stitched edges, these are good if you can ignore the lack of GOTS and fair wage certification, and use them for years on end to make them sustainable. Still, for the everyday consumer, they remain economical and comfortable, which is what we desperately need in a handkerchief, even if some say ironing is required and there might be a sheen which makes them useless for anything but decoration.
But what if you are in the mood for some luxury?
Trafalgar has some options for you.
These can work as both handkerchiefs and pocket squares. Made of 100% cotton, despite lacking fair wage and GOTS certification, these still remain a true addition to any gentleman’s wardrobe with their elegant design. Like a true luxury product, these need to be dry washed and can be flimsy.
Another popular material for a handkerchief is linen as we have established. Let us see what the online shopping world has to offer in terms of that.
Best handkerchiefs made from linen
Coming from a small business, Jacob Alexander’s line handkerchief can be used all year round but is a premium product, meant especially for spring and tuxedos. With hand-stitched edges, this dry clean-only garment is a true mark of elegance. A must-have for those who want to be seen as gentlemen, the only downside of this product is the lack of a fair wages certificate which puts the onus on the consumer to ensure that the product is ethical.
But is all white or solid colours the only option in handkerchiefs for us? Of course not. Let us look at the various designs and patterns handkerchiefs come in.
Design and Patterns in Handkerchiefs
While solid-colored handkerchiefs reign supreme, there are various design elements and patterns found in handkerchiefs. These include floral prints, geometric shapes, monograms, or embroidered motifs. From printed to embroidered, there are several options for handkerchiefs, each with its own aesthetic appeal and visual impact. For example, a monogrammed handkerchief can convey a sense of luxury or be a thoughtful gift, while something with lace will be seen as more feminine by those who hold to conventional gender norms.
Designed Handkerchiefs Example
What is better design than embroidery? While handkerchiefs can carry anything from initials and monograms to floral designs, these claim to be beautiful and functional.
With beautiful floral designs, despite not being very soft, they claim to be the perfect gift for women.
This brings us to the question- are handkerchiefs a gendered piece of clothing? Not in 2023, but in the past? Hell, yes. Let us look at what made a piece of clothing manly or feminine.
Handkerchiefs for Women
Floral designs, hearts, and lace were reserved for the ladies, while men would have their initials monogrammed on their pocket squares and handkerchiefs.
Best Handkerchief for Women
With beautiful embroidery, these are the perfect gift for the women in your family. Made of 100% cotton, they are thin and need ironing but apart from that they are said to be durable and beautiful.
Beautiful bridal handkerchiefs with embroidery, what else do we need in a perfect gift?
Handkerchiefs for Men
Pocket squares and handkerchiefs with masculine designs were considered suitable for men.
Even today, pocket squares remain popular for formal events such as prom, where they are artfully folded and put in the front pocket of the tux, while everyday handkerchiefs can be folded in rough squares and carried in one’s pockets.
Pocket squares and prom- don’t they bring back horrid memories of dances? And you know what dances signified in the years gone by? Luxury. And for those interested in a taste of eloquence, there were luxury handkerchiefs. And those still exist.
Best Handkerchiefs for Men
While they are not without flaws, these handkerchiefs are made of 100% cotton and suited for men. They claim to be hypoallergic and the best gift for gentlemen, which makes one wonder where luxurious pocket squares fall.
Made of 100% cotton and extremely soft or they claim, these are the perfect gift for the gentlemen you know.
Luxury Handkerchiefs
A luxury handkerchief offers premium quality materials such as silk, meticulous craftsmanship, and exquisite designs. These are often not ethical but can be sustainable if they are passed down through generations, which is probably a hygiene nightmare. They come from brands such as Van Heusen and Peter England.
These often make for great gifts for the Draco Malfoys of the muggle world, as they can be monogrammed with their initials. Such handkerchiefs are known as personalized handkerchiefs.
Top Luxury Handkerchief
While some have claimed them to be thin and flimsy, these are advertised as luxurious products, perfect for gentlemen, after being made of 100% cotton with beautifully hemmed edges.
Claiming to improve men’s sense of style, these handkerchiefs are made of 100% cotton and come with unique designs.
Personalized Handkerchief
These are thoughtful gifts or a vanity offering depending on who gets it. From monogrammed initials to embroidered messages, they carry it all and most are specially crafted for the particular recipient of the gift, making them one of a kind. They give you the period drama feels, period, and thus keep rising in popularity.
Handkerchiefs have a whole world behind them, a slice of which we have brought to you through this article. Let us know in the comments if this made you reconsider carrying a pocket square or do you still swear by tissues.
