Making sure your shirt stays "tucked in" it’s every man’s worst nightmare. Consider
the following scenario: You’re dressed to impress and sitting down with your shirt tucked in neatly at your dream job interview.
Everything seems to be going well, as you shake hands and part ways with your would-be boss. As you leave the door you look down to see your un-tucked shirt staring back at you. Your face begins to redden as you realize you’ve made a sloppy mistake. As you
continue walking you try to subtly adjust your shirt and hope your would-be
boss hasn’t noticed.
The reality is, your personal presentation conveys a message. As much as we avoid “judging a book by its cover”- we still do. Frustrating right? And that’s just one scenario. The best way to avoid being in this kind of situation is by preventing it-
prevention is the cure after all.
It's not only important to keep your shirt tucked in, it's important to
do it the right way. Continue reading below to learn how to make sure your
shirt stays tucked in properly
When Should A Shirt Be Kept Tucked In
We've all had a time
when we've asked ourselves "should I tuck in my shirt?". When in
doubt, the hem of your shirt is your guide. It may not be obvious, but the hem
of a shirt determines the way you wear it- based on the style and length of the
hem. If your shirt has a hem that's even around the entire waist, keep it tucked in. This type of hem can be seen on t-shirts and polo shirts. If your shirt has
tails in the front and back, and an uneven hem, it's 100% meant to be tucked
in. You might be wondering why your shirt has tails? It's simply there to make
it easier to keep your shirt well-tucked in.
Type Of Shirts That Should Be Kept Tucked-In
When it comes to the
type of shirts that should be kept tucked-in, it's important to consider how
they're traditionally worn. The following shirts should always be kept
tucked-in:
• Long-sleeved dress shirts
• Flannel work shirts
• Chambray work shirts
• Sport shirts with buttons at the front
• Wool shirts
• Undershirts
Occasions To Keep Shirt Tucked-In For
When deciding if your
shirt should be kept tucked-in or not, the occasion should be taken into
consideration. If you're attending a formal event, job interview, corporate
function, wedding, or dinner at a high-end restaurant- it's best to keep your
shirt tucked-in as part of the dress code (unless otherwise specified). If it
turns out the dress code is casual, then go ahead and keep your shirt
un-tucked.
One Last Thing…
Don't be that guy that decides to untuck a shirt you've been wearing tucked-in all
day long. Not only would it look sloppy, it would send the wrong message
across- and quite frankly, can be disrespectful.
The Best Way To Keep A Shirt Tucked In
An underrated pleasure is a well tucked in shirt. Maintaining a proper appearance is all
about eliminating all the fine imperfections. Who looks good with a muffin top
shirt parachuting away? And having to constantly tuck in excessive fabric can
become quite laborious and frustrating. Read on below for some hacks that will
make sure your shirt stays tucked in.
Buy The Right Size Shirts
This may sound obvious, but it’s the most important step. If your shirt isn’t the right
length, it will be too short and pop out with the slightest movement. A
properly tucked shirt isn’t wrinkled and is smooth and flat.
If Your Shirt Is Too Small…
When a shirt is too small, it will feel restrictive in the areas of your back and shoulders. You'll also notice that your shirt doesn't stay tucked-in and the buttons pull.
If Your Shirt Is Too Big…
When a shirt is too big, there's additional material left sagging around the body- especially
around the shoulder area. No matter if the shirt is tucked or left un-tucked.
In some cases, the sleeve will even slide into your palms if the cuffs are too
big.
If Your Shirt Is The Right Size…
When a shirt is the right size it has a much sharper appearance. It also makes tucking-in a breeze. The shoulder seam hits right at the edge of the shoulders, and the sleeve ends
right where the palm meets the wrist. The shirt sits clean and doesn't untuck
or pull at the buttons when you move.
Different Ways To Tuck In Shirts
A good tuck doesn't have any wrinkles or muffin-topping. The front of your body looks smooth and flat. Your gig line should also be clean and centred. A well-centred and clean gig line divides your body in an even proportion, which gives the impression that
you pay attention to detail. The less excess fabric you're dealing with, the
better. So make sure your shirt is the right size fit to begin with.
The Basic Tuck
We’ve all made use of this technique at some point in our lives. Young boys associate the Basic Tuck with the concept of “tucked in”. It’s pretty straightforward and easy to make into a habit. First, put on your pants but keep them down before wearing your
shirt. The next part is simple- tuck the shirt in, pull the pants up, and button or close the zipper and tighten your belt.
The Military Tuck
The Military Tuck is widely used among men in the military. It’s a combination of the Basic Tuck and additional manoeuvres to make the technique more effective. First, put on your pants, tuck in your shirt and close the zipper- only leave the button open. Next,
keep your legs evenly apart and use your thumb and index finger to pinch any
excess fabric from the side seams. Once done, close the button and tighten your
belt. Check that all folds and creases are evened out.
The Underwear Tuck
The Underwear Tuck works every time- it’s a simple and logical method. The problem with wearing undershirts is eliminated, which the first two methods don’t solve. This
technique uses layering- undershirt, underwear, shirt and pants. Each layer is
tucked in under the item that follows it. At the end, you just adjust your
belt. Friction is used in this method to keep the shirt in place and prevent it
from going untucked.
The Shirt Stays
Save time and effort by using convenient tools called Shirt Stays. All that this method requires is to insert and remove something once. You can say goodbye to pulling up, pushing down, or pinching with your hands. With Shirt Stays, reaching for something,
bending down, or even running- the chances of your shirt looking sloppy are
nil. But the chances of your look being enhanced with a clean-looking shirt are
high. If you're willing to add another item to your dressing routine in the
morning, Shirt Stays can work well. You might find one that you like and stick
with it.
The Best Devices To Tuck In Shirts
#1 Shirt Stay Thigh
Shirt Stay Thigh are a premium entrant in the Shirt Stay market. The adjustments and clipping are intuitive, and the holders are comfortable. As a side benefit, some reviewers claim that this type of Shirt Stay makes your thigh muscles appear more bulked up and tight.
#2 Shirt Stays "Y"
Shirt stays are a more classic and traditional option which are regularly used by the military and armed forces. They consist of inside suspenders and a set of two claps on
either end. One end attaches to the bottom of the shirt on the front and back,
while the other end is looped around the feet, or a set of clasps can be
attached to the top of the socks. Due to the downward pull of the clasps and
the suspension, both ends of the shirt are kept tucked in.
Tucking tips
Rubberized Tape
A tailor's trick to keeping a shirt tucked in is rubberized tape. It works by adding friction around the waistline. Most trousers and pants (that have been made to measure) are sewn with a strip of rubber on the inside of the waistband. Rubberized tape adds extra grip and traction when you tuck in your shirt, which can prevent it
from pulling out.
Double Sided Scotch Tape
If you don't want to go to a tailor, you can DIY with double sided scotch tape. Simply line the inside of your waistband with 2-4 strips of double sided scotch tape, and
voila! After you wear your belt, the double sided scotch tape is going to be
compressed up against the shirt by the trousers. The scotch tape will add grip
to keep your shirt from becoming untucked.
Tuck Shirt Into Underwear
A classic option that will never get old. If you're so inclined, you can tuck your shirt or
undershirts into your underwear.
Shrink Your Shirt
Another possibility is that your shirt once stayed tucked-in and fit perfectly, but with wearing became stretched out. If this is the case, you may want to give shrinking your
shirt a try.
In Tuck-lusion
It can be a frustrating to keep your shirt tucked in, if you don’t know what the issue
is. Luckily, it comes down to buying the right size shirt and the right device to eliminate the problem.
There are men who swear by the artfully un-tucked shirt. Good for them. Unless you're Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, tucking in your shirt will most certainly give you a more mature and sharper look. Tucking your shirt in correctly and wearing your pants higher
will help with your existing wardrobe. But for more important occasions, you
can’t beat the assurance that Shirt Stays provide. Finally, keep in mind that historically,
a tucked-in shirt symbolises professionalism and is associated with
self-confidence.