Handkerchiefs

Back then, men always have had handkerchiefs in their trouser or breast pockets as part of their ensemble. It likewise is a telling sign of a man’s socio-economic status as some handkerchief materials are more expensive than the others.

Its history is unknown but was said to be, in certain historical documents, invented by King Richard II of England which he used as a wipe for his nose. But with that historic account or not, it certainly existed during William Shakespeare’s time as a handkerchief played an important role in his Othello.

But that is not the only occasion handkerchiefs undertook an important role. Today, handkerchiefs are a symbol for a lot of things.

In LGBT communities, handkerchiefs are used to send signals through a colour coding system. For example, you placed a particular colour of a handkerchief on your back pocket or belt loop and a gay or bisexual man might just walk up to you. By doing so, you have just announced to the world your fetishes.

Or in Spain, a white handkerchief symbolizes passion and deep emotion for their favourite football team of the Matador de Toros. Now, this deep emotion might be one of two things. It can be an expression of a positive emotion for an exceptional performance or of disgust over their bad performance.