Right off the bat you may be thinking why do I need a guide on shirt tucking? You’ve probably been doing it since you’ve been in middle or elementary school and it’s hardly rocket science.

Tucking in your shirt changes your overall appearance. It creates a more refined, polished you and makes you look that little bit more ‘put together’. Of course you knew this; you do it every time you attend work or an event that requires some sort of formal presentation.

Experimenting with shirt tucking however, hasn’t been a journey most men look to embarked upon. It’s always dangerous ground when tampering with an age-old way. The shirt has been a focal point of menswear in a way only a pair of jeans can imagine.

I’m going to introduce a couple of ways you can tuck your shirts and how each one represents a different attitude.

The Traditional Tuck

The one you’ve been using religiously to smarten up since you were 8 years old.

If you’re like me you struggle to find a well-fitted shirt (and the cost of gradually replacing over 50 odd shirts, can be a daunting one), there is a simple trick that will help avoid that infamous unflattering billowy appearance.

First off avoid stuffing your shirt into your trousers through the use of moving your hand in a saw like motion around your waist. Nine times out of ten it looks hurried and far from professional. Instead pull up your trousers around a flattened crease-free shirt.

Furthermore wearing your shirt tails un-tucked is neither ‘cool’, nor stylish; it gives off the vibe that you are being forced into wearing formal dress when you’d rather opt for some lounge shorts. The “I’m dressed up, but not really” trend was really a ploy to get young men into the game without overwhelming them if they lacked any prior exposure. Its short, Hollywood black tie attitude became embodied in rap stars and basketball icons such as T.I. and LeBron James

To avoid the unfavorable billowing effect, simply fold all the excess at the back and sides into a small pleat. With your spare hands – or fingers – pull up your trousers and your pseudo-fitted shirt will leave you looking dapper . A belt will help keep this fold in place.

To present the ultimate in immaculate shirt fitting, align your buttons with your fly in the mirror. Don’t forget to take a few guilt-free moments of self-admiration at your impeccable ensemble.

Rocking a traditional tuck with your casual wear comes down to personal preference. Doing so will go a long way in smartening up your looks.

The Half Tuck

The half tuck or the Rich Boy, aptly named by Ralph Lauren, the origin of the ‘half tuck’ lies with athletes who would pull their shirt tails from their trousers after stepping off their horses.

The logistics of this tuck make it an option when wearing polo shirts and t-shirts, although it comes with the limitation of appearing effortless (it’s only a limitation as far as you consider it one).

Achieving the air of relaxed elegance isn’t an easy task. Never one to leave you in the stuck in the mud, follow these two rules and you will be well on your way to tucking away any doubts:

• The half tuck should only be used when wearing casual apparel; or only if insistent on looking like a 14-year-old delinquent.
• Subtlety. Do not even consider wearing ostentatious belts with enlarged buckles. They pull you away from the implied look of elegance – the tuck has already allowed you to go as far as you can.