When you should tuck in?

You don’t have to tuck your shirt every single time. It all depends on what you’re wearing and the circumstances. But how can you tell which ones are to be hidden away and which ones to leave free? We’re here to help dispel the mystery.

“The key factor is style,” says Wayne Carter, Director of Technical and Quality Assurance and local shirt expert at T.M.Lewin. ‘If the shirt has an extra-long tail then it should be tucked in, especially if it is much longer in the back than the front, known as scalloped.’

These types tend to be for more formal situations anyway, such as the office or an occasion, where you would want to maintain a smart look even at the end of the night. Carter continues: “The second most important thing to consider is the situation you’re dressing for,” –  meaning that you obviously wouldn’t wear an untucked dress shirt to a board meeting.

Casual shirts, on the other hand, are cut much shorter to be styled either way. They can also be patterned or textured, which looks best left informal, for dress-down days and after work trips to a sunny beer garden.

Take your build into account as well, as tucking in your shirt makes your legs look longer and so is ideal for men of shorter stature. Those who are tall and slim can leave their shirts loose, though, to avoid a stark separation between their top and bottom halves. But no matter what, if you’re sporting a Jacket then always put away your excess material for a neat appearance.