How to Half Tuck Your Shirt

Half tucking your shirt is a great way to make your legs look longer, give you some shape, and your outfit feel a little more finished.

A few years ago, I started to notice people were half-tucking their shirts into their pants and skirts. At first it seemed a little weird to me to just tuck the very front of your shirt into your jeans and leave the rest hanging out. But now, years later, it’s really the only way I wear my tops anymore.

outfit details:

SIMILAR STRIPED SWEATER | SIMILAR YELLOW STRIPE SWEATER | GOOD AMERICAN JEANS | SIMILAR ANKLE BOOTS

These are three good reasons to half tuck your shirt.

1. The first reason you should front tuck your shirt is because it makes your legs look longer. Being able to see your entire jeans from waistband to ankle makes your legs look longer, period.

2. The second reason to half tuck your shirt is because it helps define your waist. Oversized shirts are so popular, and wearing something oversized often makes you look bigger. But a little front tuck of your shirt keeps the shirt from overwhelming your body, AND it helps give your silhouette a waist. And show your waist is always more flattering and makes you look slimmer.

3. The third reason to half tuck is that it makes your outfit feel finished — as long as you do it right. It might seem awkward at first, but trust me on this one. It adds a cool, effortless vibe to almost any outfit.

It’s such a simple, quick-fix, and can make a huge difference.

Which shirts can be half tucked?

Not all shirts are half-tuck eligible. Shirts with trim on the hem, really long tunic length shirts, peplum tops…these are some examples of shirts you would not half tuck. They’d just look wrong. I did a whole post about that RIGHT HERE.

But t-shirts, blouses, button down shirts, sweaters, swing tops…they’re all fair game and will often look better either half tucked or fully tucked into your skirt, shorts, pants, or jeans.

If you don’t feel comfortable tucking your shirt because of weight in your middle, CHECK OUT THIS POST about styles to try that will camouflage it and be flattering.

Don’t know how to half tuck properly? Here’s how.

If you’re new to the half tuck or can’t quite figure it out, I’ve got you covered. I’ll take you through step by step and show you the difference it can make to an outfit.

• Step 1. Pull your top tight and flat at the hem with your hands.
• Step 2. Tuck your shirt about one or two inches into your pants or skirt, making sure the fabric is completely flat.
• Step 3. Blouse your top gently to make the top billowy and loose. This will achieve the easy, carefree look.
• Or, I have a short video showing how HERE.

Watch Me Style a Half Tucked Top:

I post weekly Get Dressed With Merrick videos and this week I covered half-tucking tops. I’ll show you a few different jeans and tops and how to half-tuck with each.