Tucking a shirt sounds like the simplest task in dressing, yet it's where many outfits go wrong. Bunching at the waist, a bulging front and a shirt that escapes by lunchtime all have fixable causes.
The clean tuck, step by step
- Put on your trousers and fasten them, then tuck the shirt in and zip up
- Pull the shirt tails down smoothly at the back and sides
- Fold the excess side fabric flat and tuck it behind each hip
- Run your thumbs around the waistband to align the shirt front, buttons and belt buckle
Why shirts come untucked
Usually it's length. A shirt that is too short will pull out whenever you lift your arms or sit. A tucked shirt should have enough tail to reach well below the waistband, with a curved hem that sits smoothly inside the trousers.
Too much fabric
If you gather a lot of fabric at the waist, the body of the shirt is too wide. Tailored side seams or a slimmer cut reduce the bunching. This is one of the most common reasons people move to made-to-measure.
When to leave it untucked
Only wear a shirt untucked if it's designed for it: a shorter, straight hem that ends around mid-zip. A long, curved dress shirt worn untucked looks like a mistake. With a tie or jacket, always tuck.
If a shirt won't stay tucked, the shirt is the problem, not your technique.
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