A classic shirt is usually tucked into trousers or worn on formal occasions. A polo may be worn untucked if it has a straight hem and does not come further down than halfway down your fly. If the polo is longer or you are wearing trousers with pleats, tucking in often works better. The more formal the occasion, the more logical tucking in becomes.
The short rule of thumb
- Shirt with a rounded hem and long tails: always tucked in.
- Shirt with a straight, shorter hem: may be worn untucked with jeans or chinos in an informal setting.
- Polo with a straight hem to halfway down the fly: may be worn untucked.
- Polo that is longer or has a hem with side slits and a longer back: preferably tucked in.
- Trousers with pleats or a high waist: top tucked in, so the waist and the pleats stay visible.
Why length matters so much
The length of a top worn untucked influences the proportions of your outfit. If the hem falls too low, your legs look shorter and your upper body longer. An untucked polo ideally ends around the middle of the fly. If the hem reaches your crotch or further, tucking in is the better choice.
Shirts: almost always tucked in
A classic shirt has a rounded hem with long tails at the front and back. That shape is made to stay in the trousers, even when you bend over or stretch your arms. Worn untucked, such a shirt can quickly look too long. That is why you wear the Hamilton shirt with Italian collar in light blue striped tucked into trousers, with or without a blazer. The open Italian collar still makes the whole look relaxed enough for a summer day at the office. You will find more shirts in the shirts for Men collection.
Exception: with jeans at the weekend you can also wear a shirt open over a T-shirt, like a light jacket. The length matters less then, because the shirt acts as an outer layer.
Polos: it depends
With polos it mainly depends on length, hem and occasion. A polo is originally a sporty garment and is often worn untucked. But a knitted polo or a smooth-draping modal polo can look just as polished as a shirt when tucked into trousers.
| Situation | In or out? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Office with trousers | In | Smooth-draping polo with tapered trousers |
| Dinner or business lunch | In | Polo with smart trousers and loafers |
| Weekend with jeans | Out | Striped polo with a straight hem |
| Terrace or barbecue | Out | Cotton polo with chinos or light trousers |
| Trousers with pleats and a high waist | In | Any polo, so the pleats stay visible |
Three looks worked out
1. Tucked in and polished. The Montgomery smooth-draping modal polo in brown in the Harrison tapered trousers with pleats in beige. The modal drapes smoothly and stays neatly in the trousers without bunching up. The pleats in the trousers come into their own when the waist is visible. Finish with a leather belt and loafers.
2. Untucked and relaxed. The Atticus striped cotton polo in blue untucked over jeans or chinos. A polo with buttons and a straight hem is exactly the type that can be worn untucked well. Perfect for a Saturday in the city. See more options in the polos for Men.
3. Office without a blazer. The same Atticus polo, but now tucked into the Vincent slim-fit trousers in black. By tucking the polo in, the outfit becomes instantly smarter. Discover more office combinations in Office for Men.
How to tuck in neatly
Tucking in neatly prevents excess fabric around the waist. A few tricks:
- Pull the fabric down tight before you fasten your trousers, so no folds form at the front.
- Fold the excess fabric at the sides towards the back, like a kind of military tuck. That keeps the front smooth.
- Leave a little slack above the waistband, so you can move without the top immediately popping out of the trousers.
- Wear a belt, which keeps everything in place and finishes the look.
The half tuck
With a casual outfit you can also tuck in only the front lightly. For men this technique is used less often than for women, but with a supple knitted polo and jeans it can give a relaxed, modern look. Do it subtly, with only the middle part of the front, otherwise it quickly looks forced.
And under a sweater or cardigan?
If you wear a shirt under a sweater or cardigan, always tuck the shirt in. A shirt that sticks out from under a sweater looks messy. A polo under a cardigan may be worn untucked if the polo is shorter than the cardigan, but tucked in is often calmer here too.
Body shape and proportions
Your body shape plays a role too. If you have long legs and a short upper body, an untucked polo often looks more balanced, because the hem lengthens your upper body a little. If you have a long upper body and shorter legs, tucking in helps: the waistband sits higher and your legs look longer. Trousers with a slightly higher waist reinforce that effect. So you see that in or out is not only a matter of rules, but also of what shows your proportions to their best advantage.
Shop the look
Hamilton: shirt with Italian collar, light blue striped
Montgomery: smooth-draping modal polo, brown
Atticus: striped cotton polo, blue
Harrison: tapered trousers with pleats, beige
Vincent: slim-fit trousers with mid-rise, black
Frequently asked questions
Does a polo have to be tucked in?
Not always. A polo with a straight hem that falls to halfway down the fly may be worn untucked. With trousers or in a formal setting you tuck it in.
Can a shirt be worn untucked over jeans?
Only if it has a straight, shorter hem. A classic shirt with long rounded tails is worn tucked in.
How do I stop my shirt from coming out of my trousers?
Choose a shirt with enough length, tuck it in tightly with the sides folded towards the back and wear a belt.
