The henley t-shirt is a classic shirt that every man should have in his wardrobe. These shirts look great dressed up or down and can be combined with clothing pieces to create unique, personalized outfits. But there is one question many men have when wearing a henley shirt: Should it be tucked in or be left untucked?
Henley t-shirts are easy to recognize by their particular characteristics. They tend to be collarless with a rounded neckline and two or three buttons in the front. A long sleeve henley is perfect to wear during the colder months. A short sleeve henley, on the other hand, is generally worn in the spring and summer months or as a layer under other clothing. Since it’s easy to dress these shirts up or down, it’s good to know when to wear a henley for a more casual look or for a sharp, sleek outfit. Here are seven things to consider when picking a henley to wear that will help you choose whether to tuck it in or leave it untucked.
What’s the Occasion?
The type of occasion you are dressing for should be considered when deciding whether to tuck in a henley. Tucking in the henley will give you a more polished appearance and is good for slightly more formal occasions. An untucked henley gives the impression of being more relaxed and comfortable, making it a great option to wear for casual events.
Do You Have a Good Belt?
If you want to show off a good belt, it’s a good idea to tuck your henley in. That being said, it’s good to keep shirt length in mind. Longer henley shirts should be tucked in and secured with a belt to prevent looking frumpy. If your henley has a more tailored fit, you probably won’t need to tuck it in, as this type of henley will fall right at the waist. Many henleys are designed to be around the length of a typical t-shirt, but that’s not a hard and fast rule, so you may need a belt if yours is longer.
What Pants Are You Going To Wear?
The style of pants you want to wear with the henley is another factor in whether a henley should be tucked in or left untucked. Formal and business-casual pants, like slacks and chinos, call for the more formal styling of tucking the henley in. More relaxed bottoms, like jeans and cargo pants, look fine with the henley untucked.
What Shoes Are You Going To Wear?
The type of shoes you are planning to wear is just as important as the style of pants you will wear. More formal shoe styles, like loafers and Oxfords, should be paired with the more formal look of a tucked-in henley. Casual shoe styles, like sandals and boat shoes, pair well with an untucked henley. Sneakers and boots can go either way, depending on the rest of the outfit.
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How Loose Is the Henley?
Henley t-shirts can fit differently on different body types. If the henley is fitted or tapered to the body, it will look fine whether you tuck it in or leave it untucked. If the henley fits loosely, tucking it in may help to make it look more fitted. In order to find the perfect fit, make sure you know your measurements, so you can buy a shirt that complements your body type.
Are You Wearing Layers?
Henley shirts are great for layering because they go with so many clothing choices. For instance, an untucked henley can be layered under an unbuttoned flannel shirt and paired with jeans for a fun casual look for fall. On the other hand, a tucked-in henley under a sweater with some slacks can be the perfect look for a date night. With layers, the same formal or casual rules for tucking apply. However, there are a few more specific rules for layering.
If the henley is worn as the outer layer with a t-shirt underneath, the t-shirt should be tucked in, and the henley should be untucked. If the henley is being worn under a vest, cardigan or sweater, the henley should be tucked in. If the henley is being worn under a jacket or a different shirt, tucking in or leaving it untucked can both look good.
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What About Half-Tucking?
In recent years, a trend has emerged of men half-tucking their shirts. Also called the French tuck, only the front of the henley is tucked into fitted pants, like slim-fit trousers or skinny jeans. If you think the half-tucked look might be for you, try it out to see how it works.
How Will You Wear Your Henley?
As you can see, there are many ways to style a henley, both tucked and untucked. The decision rests mainly on the occasion and what you would like to wear with the shirt. The shirt’s fit also matters whether it will look good tucked in or untucked. With all these ways to wear a henley, you will definitely be able to find one that works for you and your style. Also read from Stones of Philly Blogs
