Like so many things these days, the rigid, old-school rules of style are loosening up with the times. A favorite new development: wearing a sport coat with an untucked shirt. But this modern mix is not as simple as just pulling your shirt out from your pants, says Ross Manning, the director of technical design at UNTUCKit.
“Even in a casual world, there are still ways to look neat and put together,” he says. UNTUCKit has you covered with these simple tricks and easy pieces that will give your look a spring break.
Focus on Fit
The key to pulling off a dressy element with a casual one? “It comes down to one word: Fit,” says Manning. “Most men think the larger the size, the more comfortable something is, but that’s a misconception. Bigger means more fabric, which looks sloppier.” So make sure the shoulder seams of your jacket don’t extend beyond your shoulder. Your jacket cuffs should end at the crook of your wrist with a half-inch of shirt sleeve peeking out, and there should be no more than a handful of extra fabric in the body. You’ll know you have the right fit in the shoulder if you can button your top button comfortably, without any pulling in the waist or the arms.
Keep It Covered
Many regular dress shirts hit your mid-thigh when they’re not tucked into your pants, which is tunic territory. Since you should never have fabric that peeks out below the bottom of the coat, you’ll need a tailored shirt that falls below your waist, but above your jacket’s hem. UNTUCKit has an easy solution. “Our shirts are designed to be approximately an inch and a half shorter than our sport coats, so they’re always shorter than the jacket,” says Manning. Problem solved.
Lighten Up
The lighter the fabric the easier you’ll feel, so aim for lightweight cotton or linen shirts once temps heat up. But don’t stop there. “Linen, cotton-blend, or lightweight wool sport coats that are soft and unconstructed—meaning that all interior components have been stripped away —will keep you extra cool and you’ll still look sharp,” says Manning. A versatile and comfortable layer, these jackets are also ideal for travel.
Add Some Color
Serious dark tones are fine for cooler climes, but once the sun comes out, a colorful hue will help you blend into the season. “Pale purples and dusty reds are especially relevant this season,” says Manning. “As long as the color is muted—like a pastel or washed color—versus a saturated, bright one.” For the color timid, deploying these shades as an accent worn under a jacket.
