How to tuck in a dress shirt.
 

Is there a way to tuck in my dress shirt so I don't look like a balloon? Also, can a tailor do something about the excess 6 inches of material around the waist area of the shirt?

Unbutton your pants, pull them down, have you shirt down so it doesn't rest on anything, pull up your pants so that you shirt is in your pants, button up your pants.

Yeah, it really doesn't get more complicated than that. A belt helps, and if you are dressing up you should be wearing one anyway.

WAIT. Spyer left out the "zipper". This complicates the plan, good sir ;_;

I don't see the trouble... Tuck it in. If there's excess material, tuck it in a little deeper and use the belt to cinch it. That's about the size of it...

[QUOTE=Gechmir]WAIT. Spyer left out the "zipper". QUOTE]


Haha, I was under the assumption that he would remember to pull up the zipper and to button up the shirt and whatnot. But then again, he DID make thise thread....

Thanks for the tips, but let me clarify what I'm asking.

I tuck the shirt in the way spyder explained, but it produces uneven and unkempt lines in the back and protrusions on the side which gives me a balloon-like appearance. The question I'm asking is if there is another way to tuck the shirt in so the material doesn't bunch up and look untidy. I'm asking this because I been wearing a shirt and tie to work, but I look stupid looking like a balloon. I think the effect comes from a slim waist because it doesn't happen to people with a big gut.

Buy a smaller shirt.

Hay this is supposed to be nice GFF.

I think the problem is that we don't know the size of the shirt and your britches in proportion to your body. I, at least, am having trouble visualizing your problem precisely.

The size of my shirts are 16 size neck with short sleeves or 36 inch sleeves. I don't think you can buy dress shirts based on your chest and waist sizes, it be nice as hell, but I didn't see any brand marketing their shirts that way. So when you suggest that I buy a smaller shirt, it basically means getting smaller neck and sleeve lengths which does not remedy my problem.

I have a 37 inch chest with a 28 inch waist and these shirts have so much extra material around the waist that I look utterly ridiculous. I'm trying to see if there is a particular way of tucking shirts in so it doesn't look so stupid on my figure. I wouldn't mind getting them tailored, but I'm not sure if they can fix the problem.

I have the same problem with dress shirts, but I've yet to find a solution other than tucking it back in all the time. Part of my problem is being between sizes though; the shirts I buy are a bit too large, yet the next size down is too tight around the neck. My advice is to carry around a can of mace and spray anyone who starts to look at your puffy shirt. They can't say it's ugly if they're blinded and crawling around in agonizing pain.

ROFL...

Alright, looks like I'm gonna be throwing money at the tailor and ask him to do something about it. Too many shirts are designed for fat bastards :(.

Haha, I don't think its really fat bastards, but for people with a big upper body or at least something in the stomach area.

I, surprisingly, know exactly what you mean. I'm getting into the habit of wearing dress shirts for more casual occasions, and it looks real nice for people my age... when it isn't tucked in. But most dress shirts are long as hell and come down to my knees. It's such a problem not being tall. But since you're tucking it in anyway and your major concern is the tightness of its fit, then don't get traditional dress shirts from like the suit section of the department store. Go to Express, Abercrombie, Hollister, etc. Those kinds of places will give you the sleeker, "muscle"-fit that you desire.

Look for the casual dress shirts that aren't folded... go for Calvin Klein or something.

I would suggest looking into athletic/fitted dress shirts before seeking out a tailor. Also, brands are cut differently, so while the neck and sleeve measurements may be the same, you will often notice differences in the amount of fabric around your arms and midsection.

Not always. Some people insist that suspenders should be worn with a suit, and if your pants are very well-fitting (as they should be), you might do without a belt.

The clothing industry in North America is largely geared towards fatter people (and I don't say that to offend anyone; it's more or less a fact). Some skinnier people that I know truly have a hard time finding clothes that fit them properly, without being baggy.

I imagine that buying a dress shirt at Abercrombie or Hollister is a total waste of money. Their clothes are shit in general, and they don't even specialize in dress shirts.

coeccias is right; just try different brands and find one that works for you. Of course, it's best to get a tailor to make (or adjust) your shirts, but that's probably more expensive than you want it to be.

My dad once told me that I was supposed to gather excess material to the sides of my waist as I was tucking the shirt in. That way it's smooth across the front and back. I've never attempted it though, so I'm not sure precisely how one goes about implementing this idea.

That sounds exactly like what I need, Ava. If it doesn't bother you, can you ask your father on how to accomplish that particular tuck?

Hmm... I'm a skinny guy who has the same problem with dress shirts. I don't have any that fit me 100% correctly, so I have no idea which brands to go about buying, but I'd sure like to know which ones are good.

I don't know if this can work for dress shirts, but you can use safety pins to give yourself a more fitted look. For example, gather an inch on the bottom both sides of your shirt, fold it and pin them (on the inside). I do this with skirts and such... and since you're tucking these in no one will see.

I have a similar problem myself whenever I have to dress-up for tournaments. However one trick I learned from the other competitors was that a blazer can help hide the effect and give the style more class (since some of the judges count off on appearances).

My fiancee works with costumes and tailoring...I recall her once telling me that there is a cheat, like the things that hold socks up, theres something you can get to hold your shirt down. Sorry thats all I have to share, but I only half pay attention to costume and dress talk.:P

In military school we had these things one could buy from the store on the school grounds. They were a long piece of elasticy sort of material with a slideable adjuster on them, with fasteners on each end. You attached one end to the bottom of the side of each shirt and one end to the top of your socks. Presto, perfectly tucked in shirt all day.

These things

Hey, thanks a lot! That's a pretty practical and creative invention right there.

Or people with pecs like mine.










:biggrin:

I fixed that quote. Seriously, Canadian clotes are smaller than US clothes. e.g. a medium bought in the US would be sold as a large here.

People should just do away with tucking completely. It's way old fashioned. They still make dress shirts with the intent that they be tucked in, but a lot of people try to tuck in casual shirts. It's always painful when you see a middle aged woman that has tucked in one of the modern-style shirts that are meant to rest on your hips. It's just more attractive. There's no fabric bunching, any gut bulges are hidden, etc. Even in dress clothes it doesn't look good, but it doesn't matter because men usually wear jackets over them.

I had to tuck in my shirt for a job once and it just made me want to die. It was always bunching and getting tucked into my underwear and itching and this is why I'm so passionate about this topic. ;(

A tucked in shirt is a very professional look, and should not be done away with. I have some casual shirts that do look nicer when not tucked in, but with some workplaces, that's not a feasible dress code to abide by.

As for tucking in a shirt, just poke and stuff it until it fits. That idea on shifting the excess to the sides seems to be pretty good. I also find wearing a t-shirt underneath can help to take up some of the slack, and it slides around far less.

All else failing, get a tailor to help you out. They might be able to help you without making you buy all new clothes or expensive tailoring, might just give some ideas like what you're asking for here. Assuming you locate a good one.

i get slim fit dress shirts...they are cut narrow at waist area to eliminate excess fabric and bunching. they produce cleaner lines and all around look.

got em' at JCPenny...cheap too.

hey if you get those diesel dress shirts, you don't have to tuck. they are ment to not be tucked. if you do, it will look weird.

what I do is put my pants on after I put on my shirt and button my pants over the shirt. of course, this might feel tight. so what do you do? you lift up your arms and stretch. Your shirt should pull up out of your pants a little bit, leaving you with a tucked-in, yet comfortable shirt. AND you won't look like a balloon.

WRONG LOGAN! 'Cause I've that one before. I ordered my shirt garters, and they better show up soon....

What? Wrong? I was unaware there was only one "correct" way to tuck in a shirt. :rolleyes:

Logan = TEH MAN. I never tuck after the pants go on. I only do that if the shirt becomes untucked, which is rare, since I buy tall shirts to prevent untuckage.

I'm thin and I have plenty of shirts that fit fine and tuck in perfectly. French Connection make some of the best shirts to fit me I find.

If a situation is formal enough to warrant a dress shirt though, you really ought to be wearing a jacket anyway. Unless of course you Septics have a different definition of dress shirt to us...