To Tuck or Not To Tuck
That is the question… and yes this is from Hamlet
So maybe you aren’t having the eloquent internal dialogue on the nature of existence that turns into one of the most remembered and oft-quoted speeches from one of the most remembered and oft-quoted playwrights in all of human history, but your decision on whether or not to tuck in your shirt can be every bit as consequential as Hamlet’s decision on whether or not to kill himself. If not as consequential… at least it’s every bit as dramatic.
After all, we’re talking about a seemingly simple dressing step that can determine whether you’re getting that coveted compliment on your look or being eyed as an extra in Dinner for Schmucks. The choice, as they say, is yours, but the duty to help you make an informed choice… is ours. So here we go.
The very first thing you should realize is that, for better or for worse, tucking in your shirt will reveal your waistline. It will also, whether you want it to or not, accentuate your curves, be they belly-side or backside, and only one of those… asset classes… is found to be attractive by potential mates. (If you’re wondering about that last sentence, yes, I did subliminally embed the word ‘ass’ into your subconscious, twice. If you’re wondering about that last sentence for another reason, yes fellas, ladies do check out men’s butts.) As for the ‘dad bod’ look, well, let’s just say that nobody wants to look like Ted Cruz did at the southern border.
Perhaps we’re biased, but with all of the above in mind, two surefire ways to improve your tucked look are 1) wear a belt and 2) wear a better belt. Us folks at Hyde happen to be in the business of better belts and we have a couple ways to enhance your waistline that don’t involve salads or sit-ups. Ay, there’s the rub. Did we mention that we sell belts?
As for the general style rules when it comes to tucked vs. untucked shirts there are plenty of opinions, trends, and do’s and don’ts that are all quite difficult to keep up with and only designed to reinforce what you already think on the subject. What is ‘cool’ or ‘hip’ or ‘in vogue’ changes by the week and by the person, and we won’t pretend to be an authority in a space that has no authorities. Style blogs are famous for giving you rules to follow, only to show you an example of some hunk in dark glasses subverting every one of them. If your favorite celebrity is your style guide, just remember that it is his job to look good and also that you are not him.
If you do want some hard-and-fasts, we’ve got you covered:
Tuck for the occasion
If you are wearing a tie, if you are wearing a blazer, if your mother said you need to ‘look nice’, or if you are needing to ‘dress up’ for any reason whatsoever, absolutely 100% of the time please tuck in your shirt. As we have said before there is no such thing as being overdressed. If you are wearing a dress shirt or button up or button down or whatever you want to call it, tuck it in. If your shirt looks good when it’s tucked in, tuck it in. If your shirt has tails or an uneven curved bottom, or the bottom hangs below your zipper and your name is not Ryan Gosling, tuck. it. in.
No tuck for the other occasion
If you are at a sporting event or a concert or a music festival or a tailgate and you are not a sitting United States Senator please untuck your shirt. Nothing screams ‘square’ like a guy in a tucked in t-shirt and Seinfeld sneakers. And speaking of t-shirts, play at your own risk but in most cases you’re gonna want to leave that thing untucked and casual. Sweaters are the same way; and never, for the love of all that is just and decent and pure in this world, never ever tuck in your hoodie, or your knock off jersey. We didn’t think you would, but just making sure.
How to tuck?
Did you know there were different ways to tuck in your shirt? Of course you did, you’ve probably been doing these sorts of hybrids your whole life, consciously or otherwise. We’re talking the half-tuck, the front-tuck, the back-tuck, the bunch-tuck. There are plenty of ways to do it, just make sure you do it right, and for the right occasion. Never half ass a formal or dressy tuck. But in a smart-casual setting, sometimes you can play around with a little deliberate irregularity and look like a badass, and there are plenty of examples of this working well. Do what feels comfortable for you but try to do it right — people only really notice a shirt tuck when it’s done poorly or looks bad.
Keep it tucked
Tucking in a shirt is a lot like putting on a hat; once you’ve committed, you’ve committed. No amount of comfort can pacify hat hair, just as no amount of physical relief can pacify the wrinkles of a Shirt-Formerly-Known-As-Tucked. Not even at a wedding. Lose the jacket, toss the tie, roll the sleeves, but never untuck that shirt from your dress slacks. There should be a little bit of give to the midsection, a little extra fabric to work with, but not too much. (Too much is what’s going on with Ted Cruz’s shirt (and stomach) in that photo of him at the southern border.) The bagginess un-affectionately known as the ‘muffin top’ is certainly a look, just not one that you ever want to imitate. And on the reverse, if your shirt comes out of your pants when you bend or is clearly yanked down into your pants when you’re standing up straight, it’s too small for you, brother.
With that, you should be set. And if you made it this far, why are you still here and not doing the one thing for your waistline that you have full control over and buying a better belt?
-Jack Carlin
