My New Favorite Outfit: It's in the Styling: Tip Three, Tuck Your Shirt

Thursday, July 18, 2013

It's in the Styling: Tip Three, Tuck Your Shirt

































Ever put on an outfit that in theory should look great, only to find you look frumpy and dumpy? Me too. However, the simplest trick to styling an outfit and taking it from bad to fab is to tuck your shirt. Seriously. Sometimes a shirt is just fine un-tucked, especially for more casual looks, but if the shirt is too long/flowy/loose a simple tuck is all you need to dramatically change your outfit's look. I usually try an outfit both ways, then decide which is best.


I also decided to enter Chippmuck.com's Expert Shopper Contest again with this outfit. I came in 7th last time and the top five won. Help me make the top five this time by loving my look here. You can vote each day too. I seriously appreciate it ladies!




































Do you see the difference?!? I probably look 30 pound lighter by just tucking this shirt in!  I honestly didn't realize the power of the "tuck" until I started reading blogs and seeing what other girls were wearing.  I also didn't own a lot of skirts before tucking in either, just look at "Exhibit A" and you'll understand why.  Now that I realize that tucking your shirt in can make such a great change in the outfit, my skirt collection has grown tremendously, and I have a much more polished professional look too. Here are some more pictures of this look:







Cardigan: Old Navy $20 similar
Top: Target $3 (thrifted) similar
Skirt: Target $16 similar
Belt: Kohls $1.5 similar
Necklace: Loft $5 similar
Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Julep, Gilded Arrow, and Chimera similar
Shoes: JCrew similar

28 comments:

  1. You are completely right! I never knew how versatile some of my shirts were until I tucked them in (duh, but this was a recent discovery). I love those colors together in your outfit and the belt looks great, too!

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  2. You are so right! Another thing I have learned is belting makes a big difference too. Before reading style blogs, I rarely wore belts OR tucked in my shirts. I really love your color combo in this outfit too!

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  3. So cute! Tucking in does make such a huge difference :)

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  4. Very cute. Looks so much better with the belt.

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  5. Great tip! You look amazing! Love the outfit!

    XO,
    Rebekah

    rebekahrgilmore.blogspot.com

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  6. Love this look! The power of the "tuck" amazes me sometimes. It might be my best friend!!
    oXo
    Jenn
    www.thebrandiedpair.blogspot.com

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  7. Great tip! I have gotten in the habit of testing out "the shirt tuck" when I try on skirts now.

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  8. Another great tip...tucking the shirt in makes such a big difference in the fit!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    PayPal Giveaway!

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  9. I agree that tucking can make a big difference, but it's something I'm still working on being more comfortable with. I'm pretty short waisted but with crazy long legs in comparison, and some extra cushion in the hips, so tucking feels like it accentuates the negative sometimes. I've been playing around with different types of tucks with different bottoms, or belting over shirts. I feel more confident when I can wear another layer on top of a tucked in shirt, like you did here with the cardigan.

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  10. Ginny, that is so true! It's an oldie but goodie that needs to be repeated again and again. HAHAHA It makes a world of a difference how one looks.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  11. Thanks for those tips! They're so helpful. I will definitely keep those in mind =)

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  12. I love your tip series - you really are giving some great advice! And yes to tucking in your shirt!! I am always surprised at how much better my outfits look when I tuck in my shirt. I remember when I used to think that tucking in your shirt was super-dorky, now I almost always do it!

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  13. Ohhh I say it and do it all the time that a simple tuck makes all the difference, even better if you add a belt. Loving your Long Necklace.

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  14. Brilliant! I tried tucking once and it made my hips look even wider so I just assumed it would always look that way, but maybe I should give it another shot and try it both ways for all my outfits!

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  15. It's so true! I love how outfits - especially with skirts - look with shirts tucked in! :-)

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  16. untucked might be more cozy, but yes, tucked always looks better!!

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  17. I agree with you that tucking makes such a difference in outfits. I wish I was more confident in tucking, though. I only do it when things are high-waisted or when the top can be kind of blousey. I'm super self-conscious about my softer torso and tucking sometimes enhances that in a really, really unflattering way. :(

    brynnash.blogspot.com (<-- my new URL!)

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  18. That is one great tip, or tuck! It always surprises me just how quickly a look can be upgraded to be more stylish. Tucking is something I have avoided, feeling that I was camouflaging the wiggly belly - will have to give your way a go...J

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  19. I've never thought of how much tucking a shirt in can make a difference! Does that depend on body type too?

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  20. Love this tip! Knotting a shirt over a dress works the same too! And your outfit is so cute, I really like the pretty printed top:) The color of the skirt looks wonderful with it.

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  21. I love that you showed the difference that it made! I'm a huge fan of both skirts and tucking my shirts into them...anything that de-emphasizes the hips and makes my waist look smaller is a 'do' in my book! I learned this from looking at other blogs too though...and also learned that some outfits look seemingly fine in person but terrible in photos (hate it when that happens)!

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  22. I LOVE this post:) your blog makes me happy.

    Check out my blog with cute Swedish decor etc:)

    Have a great week dear

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (sweden)

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  23. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments and cute outfit!!

    My Lyfe ; My Story
    @MyLyfeMyStory 

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  24. Its crazy how a simple tuck makes all the difference :) Great outfit!

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  25. I actually have been put off by the tuck until now! I mean, not that I disliked it, but I always felt it was something I'd never do. However, actually getting to see a before and after, and see the benefit it has, maybe I will start trying it! I've only ever tucked in my shirt for school uniforms and found it uncomfortable (I always wore jackets that hid the fact that my shirt was untucked.) But those were also thick baggy polos, so hopefully it won't be so uncomfortable with other outfits. I'll give it a try!

    - Toria
    http://toriamasons-treasures.blogspot.com/

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  26. I LOVE these rich, vivid colors together - so pretty! I especially like your patterned shirt, and that lovely necklace.

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