How To Tuck In A Shirt, Top, Blouse - Styling Trick

By A Mystery Man Writer

Last updated 13 May 2024

How To Tuck In A Shirt, Top, Blouse - Styling Trick

Don't underestimate the power of this super-easy styling trick.
The Front Tuck: Before
Extra-long blouses or button-ups can feel overwhelming on smaller frames. To tweak the silhouette a bit while still showing off the length of the top, I like to tuck just the front.

H&M top, Thriftwares jeans, Topshop sandals.
The Front Tuck: In Progress
It's especially helpful if the blouse has side slits that separate the front from the back, like this striped button-up does. That way, it's easier to tuck and smooth only the front, while letting the back panel hang neatly outside of the pants.

H&M top, Thriftwares jeans.
The Front Tuck: After
Again, loosen the front tuck so that it spills over the waistband just slightly to create a gradual cascading, short-to-long length effect you can clearly see from the side. Think of this as the mullet of tucking strategies — business in the front, party in the back.

H&M top, Thriftwares jeans, Topshop sandals.
The One-Side Tuck: Before
The high neck and ruffle situation on this blouse can leave the top feeling a bit, well, buttoned up. I started to balance this out with a frayed jean and some funky heels, but it still needed a little adjustment. My next trick for this shirt style? The one-side tuck, where you tuck in one front panel of the shirt while letting the other side (and the back) remain out.

H&M top, Levi's jeans, Zara heels.
The One-Side Tuck: In Progress
No need to overcomplicate things with this one: Simply button the buttons until where the jeans hit on your waist, leaving the bottom half unbuttoned and the left and right sides of the shirt loose. Then, pick one side and stuff it in the front of your jeans, leaving the other side hanging out.

H&M top, Levi's jeans.
The One-Side Tuck: After
Boom: Instant badass. This tucking style can give a frilly, buttoned-up blouse a bit of purposely-disheveled edge. There's nothing like a dose of asymmetry to shake up an outfit.

H&M top, Levi's jeans.
The Stuff-&-Tuck: Before
This tee kind of hits at an awkward length. Let's bring the eye up by employing what I like to call the stuff-n-tuck. It's a little reckless, but it works every time.

Deep End Club T-shirt, Brandy Melville pants, Urban Outfitters shoes.
The Stuff-&-Tuck: In Progress
Grab a portion of the front of your shirt and stuff it into your pants — one and done. Don't worry about making it perfectly smooth or even. With this style, the more imperfect, the better.

Deep End Club T-shirt, Brandy Melville pants.
The Tights Tuck: Before
In addition to denim, I usually buy skirts that are high-waisted. One of my go-to tricks (though it's admittedly more suitable for fall and winter than the dead of summer) is tucking my top into a pair of tights, instead of letting it hang and cover the top half of the skirt.

Zara top, skirt, and shoes.
The Tights Tuck: In Progress
The great thing about tucking into tights is that everything stays smooth and in place. Here, you won't have to worry about your shirt coming untucked, or bunching up weirdly when you bend over.

Zara top and skirt.
The Tights Tuck: After
The final look is polished, keeps everything in place, and better showcases the skirt's entire silhouette. I may be petite, but with this trick, I've got legs for days.

Zara top, skirt, and shoes.