Are you wearing your shirt properly?

Most men would have a question mark on their faces on reading the topic's question while most would find it meaningless. We all have learned to wear a shirt since we were 5, and that too properly, right?

Choosing the correct fit - sleeves, shoulder, collar, waist, length, is, of course, the first step, wearing a shirt properly at all times, is second. The shirt can be a part of your daily wear or your dress shirt for special occasions, but how do you decide whether you have worn your shirt properly?

If the fitting is perfect from all sides and ends, tucking a shirt decides how properly you have worn your shirt. For example, you are in a meeting and about to deliver your speech, and your shirt puffs out and comes out untucked, it would look bad, ain't it? Maybe you won't realize, but others will. It can distract their attention to your speech. We are sure you won't want this to happen, right?

Before we proceed with the tucking tips, let's take a look at which type of shirt is fit for tucking.

If the bottom hem of the shirt is short and around the waist, t-shirts or polo shirts, for example, they need not be tucked in. If the bottom hem of the shirt is uneven with tails in the front and back, it has to be tucked in, 100%. The uneven hem makes it easier to keep the shirt well-tucked. Long-sleeved dress shirt for men, chambray work shirts, flannel work shirts, are supposed to be tucked-in at all times. However, tucking-in shirt depends on the event or occasion you are in.

Here are some points of a shirt that will tuck-in properly, to help you wear your shirt correctly.

1. Shirt length - Ensure the shirt's length is 3 inches below the beltline, longer the shirt, better the chances of staying tucked.

2. Alignment - Your shirt will look properly worn when the imaginary straight line formed when the placket, belt buckle, and front seam of your trouser are center-aligned.

3. Extra stuff - Get rid of the extra stuff (fabric), if any, from your shirt. It would appear normal when you do not tuck-in, but when you tuck-in, the extra material will dangle or balloon out and it would look gross.

To help with proper tucking, here are 4 techniques.

1. The basic tuck - You have been using this method for years. It's quite simple, wear your trousers first, open the zip, wear your shirt, align the placket in the center, close the zip, tighten your belt, that's it. However, the basic tuck has the risk of shirt getting untucked or ballooning out, we recommend you to check other tucking methods.

2. The military tuck - Wear your trouser unbuttoned, tuck in your shirt and close the zip. Now check for excess fabric from the side seams, use your thumb and index finger to hide the excess fabric on each side one by one. This will help you get a folded pleat on the sides of each hip. Once you are done, close the button, even out all creases, tighten the best.

3. The underwear tuck - This technique is about layering, undershirt, underwear, shirt, and pants. In this method, shirts are tucked in under the item that follows it. To be precise, underwear over undershirt and pant over the shirt. Here, friction helps hold both the shirts in place. Your undershirt doesn't come in contact with your dress shirt.

4. Shirttail garters - The easiest, quickest method to keep your shirt tucked-in, firmly. Although, shirttail garters aren't for daily use, but are best when you are attending special occasions or events, where you are expected to bend down, dance, or stretching your arms. Garters ensure your shirt remains tucked-in at all times. What do you have to do? Just buy a pair, clip them on to your socks, that's it.

So, whenever you have doubts about whether you are wearing your shirt properly, refer to the above shirt tucking guidelines. We are sure, the techniques will help you overcome the fear of getting your shirt untucked, unexpectedly.