No one doubts that the shirt is one of the quintessential male garments that no man's wardrobe should be without. That much is clear, but there is a universal doubt regarding this garment, and that is none other than whether to wear the shirt tucked in or untucked, one of fashion's most debated questions. What do you say?
The key is not whether to wear the shirt untucked or tucked in, but when to wear the shirt tucked in and when to wear it untucked. For aesthetic and etiquette reasons, there are styles and occasions that require the shirt to be tucked in, while others allow the shirt to be worn untucked, and not only that, but they benefit from it.
Aware of the doubts that this debate can generate, at Makarthy we are going to tell you when to wear your shirt tucked in and when to wear it untucked. So if the shirt is one of your fetish garments, it is always present in your looks and this doubt has arisen on more than one occasion, pay attention, take note and learn how to wear your shirt. Let's get started!
When to wear a shirt tucked in?
Beyond the style you're wearing or where you're going, there are certain unwritten rules that suggest wearing your shirt tucked in.
The type of shirt
One of them is the type of shirt, since generally more formal shirts are made to be worn tucked into trousers. But, what are the most formal shirts?
They will be easy to recognize, as formal shirts have stiff collars, are longer, and have a rounded hem. The reason is that these shirts are designed to be worn especially with suits and in more sober and formal outfits with garments like a blazer, where wearing the shirt untucked is strictly forbidden.
If the shirt is very long, always tuck it in
In the case of very long shirts, they should always be worn tucked into trousers, regardless of your height. As we have mentioned, very long shirts are designed to be worn tucked in, with a suit or with a waistcoat, which is why they have a longer length than usual. Remember that.
A trick to know if you can wear it untucked is to check if the shirt doesn't cover the fly or the back pockets of your trousers. In that case, you can allow yourself to wear it untucked, whereas if you can't see the fly or the pockets, you'll know that you'll have to wear it tucked into your trousers. Easy, right?
When you are short
Your height and body type will give you clues as to whether to wear your shirt tucked in or untucked, as each person's physique is key when completing outfits, having to choose the garments that fit best.
For example, if you are short, we recommend always wearing your shirt tucked in, especially if it is a long shirt. The reason? Wearing your shirt untucked will make you look even shorter, as it will visually reduce the length of your legs.
On the other hand, wearing your shirt tucked in will make you look taller and slimmer, and will also flatter your figure.
With a suit or blazer
Definitely, if you're wearing a suit or blazer, you must wear your shirt tucked in. There's no argument here, as there's nothing worse than wearing a suit with an untucked shirt, or if the shirt is longer than the blazer. This will happen if you've chosen a formal shirt, which is essential for this type of outfit.
When to wear a shirt untucked?
Now that we've reviewed the occasions when you should wear your shirt tucked in, let's look at when you can wear your shirt untucked. Here we want to emphasize that generally, you can always wear your shirt tucked in, but not always untucked, as there are occasions when wearing your shirt untucked could ruin an outfit, and next we will tell you which ones.
For more informal and casual looks
In a casual look, you can wear your shirt untucked without any problem; in fact, in our opinion, if you want a more informal and relaxed style, wearing it tucked in would make no sense.
If the shirt has a straight hem
Just as shirts with a rounded hem should be worn tucked in, shirts with a straight hem are designed to be worn untucked. Of course, as we have already mentioned, you can wear it untucked as long as it is not excessively long.
Linen shirts tucked in or untucked?
The fabric of the shirt also plays a role in whether it should be worn tucked in or untucked. In the case of linen shirts, they always look better untucked, as this type of fabric favors this drape, and it would look a bit strange tucked in.
Linen is a soft fabric ideal for summer, casual or beach looks. That's why they look better loose (even more so if the shirt has a straight hem). It's ideal for pairing with Bermuda shorts or chino trousers.
It is only recommended to wear it tucked in if:
- You want a semi-formal or elegant look.
- You wear dress pants or a linen suit.
- The shirt has a curved bottom (which is a classic design for tucking in).
Short-sleeved shirts, always untucked
Although there may be disagreements here, in our opinion, short-sleeved shirts should always be worn untucked, especially if worn with Bermuda shorts or shorts. This rule also affects another, as if short-sleeved shirts have to be worn untucked, this means that they cannot be worn with a suit or a blazer. Please.
And finally, how to wear a shirt tucked in?
We already know when to wear a shirt tucked in or untucked, but now we are going to see how to wear a shirt tucked in. Yes, because tucking a shirt into your pants is much more complicated than it seems, especially with certain shirts, and next we are going to give you some key tips for wearing your shirt tucked in that you won't fail with.
- ALWAYS put on your shirt in front of a mirror, to make sure it fits perfectly and without wrinkles.
- Put on your shirt with your pants down. Once it's on, pull up your pants and fasten them at your waist.
- Button up your shirt, find the side pleats and pull them down and back to create tension.
- Slightly puff out your chest to avoid excessive pressure.
- If your pants are loose, use a belt.
- When you're ready, pull the shirt out a little, no more than three centimeters.
- Check that the shirt buttons are aligned with the zipper or the pants buttons.
Now you know everything, and you're ready to decide for yourself when to wear your shirt tucked in or untucked without fear of making a mistake.