It’s ironic that I’m handing out tips on the front tuck today because I think I could have done a little better on it in these photos — but too late.
I abandoned the front tuck in late fall + winter, but now that it’s spring I’m back at it for some reason.
While this isn’t my best tuck — I probably should have bloused it out a little more — I thought I’d walk you through my steps to getting a front tuck. It’s super simple:
1. Tuck in the front part of your shirt, using the two belt loops around the button fly as your guide. Just tuck your shirt between those two belt loops. Once you do this a few times, you’ll be able to replicate it even if you’re wearing bottoms with belt loops.
2. Here’s the key to it all: Now that you’ve got your tuck, take the hem of your shirt on both sides of your tuck and fold it under, towards your body. Check out the first picture to see how I did this — you can see that the hem isn’t showing at all at the front or the side.
3. Adjust a little by pulling + mussing. Sometimes I like to pull one side out a little more than the other so they aren’t even. Like, “Oh this? I didn’t even try.”
And that’s how you do that. Do you ever wear the front tuck? Got any tips?
Shirt: Madewell
Jeans: old from Gap (similar)
Shoes: old from Steve Madden (this year’s version OR super cheap version)
Sunnies: Ray-Ban
Ohhhh good tip about tucking the sides under and away from your body. I never thought of that! I’ve been a big fan of just tucking one side lately too.
htttp://morningappleblog.com
Love those jeans!!
This is such a great tip! I never though to tuck the hem in just a little right beside where it’s actually tucked in. Gives it more of a lived-in feel. Definitely going to try this :)
Kris | Love. Loft. Life.
I love doing front / half tucks! It’s my everyday look. It doesn’t work with every type of shirt though..stiffer fabrics don’t flow and it can look a little awkward. I love getting really nice, flowy, soft shirts and half tucking. Looks so chic and easy!
I didn’t realize how long your plaid shirt was until today and I love it even more for its versatility. You can wear it tucked in or as a tunic for both looks.
Nevertheless, very cute outfit and helpful tips! I’m so jealous it’s warm where you are. Its chilly and cloudy today in Chicago. :(
Woke up to thick frost and 14 degrees Fahrenheit here in Montana today. You’re not alone. :)
Ugh I know. Can warm weather be here already?! Midwestern winters are the worst and the worst is that they start in October and end in early May.
Midwestern winters are the worst…..You haven’t even seen Canadian winters yet!!
Another way to do the front tuck:
1.) grab the hem of the front of your shirt
2.) twist it
3.) tuck it and fluff it! It’s that easy! I learned it on Pinterest. Thank goodness for that site, amiright?
I wear a lot of button ups, so this is super helpful, thank you!
P.S. Love the shirt & the sunglasses – jealous of the Ray-Bans (-;
3 steps ahead of you! The front-tuck (in your style) is my go to, since easy button downs are one of my “uniform” items. Happy Friday!
I just love everything about this look!
I just loved this! The elusive front-tuck! I’m a big fan of the half tuck (like THIS) which is perhaps even simpler! xx
—Rebecca
wanderdust.co
You inspired me this morning! I put in a shirt with jeans that I usually wear with skirts…it is on the dressy side. When I paired it with my white jeans it was too casual untucked and too formal tucked in. It was just right with the front tuck. Your instruction made it work! Thanks!
The lovely ladies at Lucky Brand taught me the two finger tuck – works every time!
Whenever I do a front tuck it always comes out awkward so I abandoned it but with these tips I can’t wait to give it a second chance!
I always thought I couldn’t pull off the front tuck because of my height (only 5’2), but I tried it about a year ago and I love it! I especially love doing it when I’m wearing a more “fancy” outfit…I feel like it adds a bit of casual to it and brings down the fancy a bit. Love it, and thanks for the tips :)
Tip: It helps to know if you have a short or long torso. Due to my short torso (and large bust), I can only pull this off with super low rise pants, or it will cut me off in the wrong area and make me look wider.
Also, if you’re wonkily shaped (like me!) if there’s too much fabric on your bum, it is unflattering. It’s so tricky!
Sincerely, Tania
I have tried tucking every which way and I still cannot get it to work. Half the time it’s just horribly unflattering and bulky where it shouldn’t be, and the other half I just feel it’s not at all casual and relaxed, but looks really ‘try hard’ and fake on me. I think it may be the proportions though – I’m 5′ nothing with a short torso so…
thank you!!! I was LITERALLY (and I do NOT use that word lightly) talking to a friend about this yesterday, saying “I see front tucks on blogs and I absolutely cannot replicate it.” Now, I know the secret.
I went to Target to check out the booties and found these! http://m.target.com/p/women-s-sam-libby-heidi-two-piece-flats/-/A-16475775. I have been looking for some flats like your Madewell’s. I decided to make up my capsules for just a month at a time since I live in Florida and we wear summer clothes almost year round. March was my first month and I did great. Thanks for the inspirations.
I am such a fan of this look! And your blog. What would I do without a daily dose of Caroline?!
My question relates to new hair-do’s. I am a brunette and went [very] blonde yesterday. I also chopped a few inches off and now have a bob/lob. I had a mild panic attack when I got home and realized that a lot of the clothing in my capsule wardrobe doesn’t seem to “match me” now. You recently chopped your locks and got bangs – which looks wonderful, by the way – did you have the same wardrobe identity crisis? Where do I go from here? I love my closet right now. It is fully of denim, navy, blush, army green, and of course black and white. But I am so bummed about the discordance. I am considering going back to the salon to tone it down a bit (add low lights towards the top or maybe even go more icy blonde to remove the yellow-ish tone that seems to clash with all of my favorite pieces). The other option would be to bring back some tucked away clothes and colors that I am much less excited about, but may go with my new look better.
Does anyone have advice on dealing with a hair color (or cut) that you aren’t 100% satisfied with and have paid a pretty penny for, without offending your stylist?
Caroline –
Great tuck tips! It’s such a good practice to give structure to a blousey top.
I have an unrelated question but wasn’t sure where to post it… Do you have advice for being nice to your shoes to make them last throughout several capsules? Quality plays a part, I’m sure; but even my nice shoes look ragged after a season. What’s your secret?
Thanks so much! Happy Easter!
Anna Kay
This has nothing to do with today’s post, but I wanted to finally write and tell you how much I enjoy your blog. Your comment recently about your spring wardrobe and it being only for the next 3 months was an epiphany for me. I had thought the capsule wardrobe too restrictive, but in looking at it being what I will wear for the next 12 weeks puts it in an entirely new light!
I LOVE this outfit. For some reason, I’ve never been able to get the hang of the front tuck. Perhaps I just need to try and it out more often and get used to it? I think maybe I just overthink it :)
Thank you! Step 2 is exactly what I needed to know. xo
thanks for the tips! i was never really able to figure out the front-tuck when i did it on my own, but i tried your method out today and it looked great! i’m definitely inspired to try this out in my everyday looks too. :)
Love this so much!
Looove the tip on tucking the hem – that really DOES do some magic. Thank you!
I’m new to your blog…. since about a month ago. Just wanted to say how real you are in what you wear and the tips you share. I love the tricks & suggestions! I also appreciate that you include less expensive options, when there are some. So many stylists assume that everyone is buying the $1200 bag and $1600 boots. I love style & quality but it doesn’t always have to come with a $$$ price tag. Thanks Caroline, you’re the best!
Haha, this is super cute on you but I think I would just look stunningly ridiculous. :)
xx Sabrina
http://thinkcreateframe.com
Great tips on how to do a front tuck properly, thanks so much for sharing!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Can’t live without the tuck! I approach it a bit more nonchalent-ly.. in that anything would do as long as it flatters the way you look :)
I have always tried to do the front tuck, but I haven’t quite mastered it yet. Thanks for sharing the tips!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I love how efortless it looks.. I have some shirts in my capsule so I’m going to play with tucking them in. I also love the look of t-shirt tucked in jeans!
I’m still new to tucking, so thanks for the tutorial! Love the shirt :)
Karianne x
http://capsulewardrobeexperience.blogspot.no/
How do you layer that top (or any other front-tucked shirt with a long back)? I have one just like it, but I never wear it because it’s not warm enough to wear without another layer over it. Ideas would be great!
I’m embarassed to admit that I read this 3x and I’m still unsure what to do…but I’m excited for tomorrow, when my tucking adventures begin!
I actually like to do an off-center tuck sometimes. About an inch or two to the center to one of my hip bones (I have bony hips that stick out a bit so it’s an easy landmark). Then I do a similar fold-under of the fabric to either side. I find this works best if the rise of the pant isn’t working with a center part.
Seriously this changed everything! I’ve been trying the front tuck to no avail, and utterly envying anyone who can pull it off. These tips made it so easy and now I’m obsessed. THANK YOU!
I’m a front tucker too.