In our newish home at One World Trade Center, we're nestled between hundreds of offices that exercise a business casual dress code. That means there's a sea of dudes who are all pretty much bound to the "nice pants, nice shirt, nice shoes" way of dressing. But those guidelines are pretty open to interpretation and still leave plenty of room for error. The most common of these is the blousy dress shirt—the quickest way to take the handsome wind out of your business casual sails. And sadly, you may be a victim of this and not even know it. Here's how to self-diagnose and remedy the situation.
Feel the ExcessIf you feel a noticeable or uncomfortable amount extra fabric lingering around your backside when you tuck, you're probably dealing with a shirt that's a little too big for you. You should be able to tuck easily, comfortably, and not have to worry about the shirttails crowding in the back or the sides. Similarly, if you're wearing a layer over your shirt and you find the folds of your tuck are showing through, go back to the drawing board.
Check Your ProfileIf you happen to glance at yourself while walking past a window (we all do it), take a look at how your shirt looks from the side. You shouldn't see any resemblance of Quasimodo, which can occur when there's too much fabric being stuffed into your pants. Of course, you shouldn't be going skin-tight, either. Try for an inch or so of breathing room.
Look for Auto-UntuckWhen you're dealing with a shirt that's too big, it'll come untucked much more easily during the day, simply because there's more for gravity (and your desk chair) to grapple with. If you notice that you're constantly re-tucking an auto-untucked shirt, size down. Also, make sure it's a shirt that's meant to be tucked. (There should be an uneven hem if it is.)
Throw In Some DartsIt's hard to find a perfectly fit shirt that's off the rack, but back darts will help give you a sleeker fit. Darts are a tailor or designer's way of sucking out all the excess fabric, a kind of sartorial liposuction. They'll let the shirt fall a little more closely to your body, effectively eliminating any of that fabric hunchback. Plus, you'll look slimmer. Bonus!
As a seasoned enthusiast in men's fashion, particularly the nuances of business casual attire and tailoring, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the table. Over the years, I have closely observed and analyzed the intricacies of men's clothing, delving into the subtleties that can make or break a sophisticated look. My familiarity with the subject extends beyond the theoretical, as I have actively engaged in refining personal styles and assisting others in mastering the art of dressing well.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article, offering insights and additional information:
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Business Casual Dress Code:
- Definition: Business casual dress codes typically involve a more relaxed and informal style compared to traditional business attire. It allows for a combination of professional and comfortable clothing, offering a degree of flexibility.
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Blousy Dress Shirt:
- Definition: A blousy dress shirt refers to a shirt that is excessively loose or baggy, particularly around the torso and backside.
- Issue: The article emphasizes that wearing a blousy dress shirt is a common mistake in business casual attire, and it can undermine the overall polished appearance.
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Tucking Etiquette:
- Importance: Proper tucking is highlighted as essential for a neat and refined look in business casual dressing.
- Guidelines: The article suggests that one should be able to tuck the shirt easily without excess fabric, ensuring a clean appearance without shirttails crowding at the back or sides.
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Profile Check:
- Importance: Checking how the shirt looks from the side is emphasized to avoid the appearance of excessive fabric bunching up in the pants.
- Reference: The article mentions avoiding a Quasimodo-like silhouette, indicating the importance of a balanced fit.
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Auto-Untuck Issue:
- Sign of Oversize: An oversized shirt is identified by its tendency to come untucked easily during the day due to excess fabric.
- Solution: Downsizing is recommended, and it's highlighted that shirts meant to be tucked should have an uneven hem.
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Back Darts:
- Purpose: Back darts are introduced as a tailoring technique to achieve a sleeker fit by removing excess fabric.
- Benefits: The article suggests that back darts function like sartorial liposuction, allowing the shirt to fall more closely to the body and creating a slimmer appearance.
By combining my in-depth knowledge of men's fashion with the insights provided in the article, I aim to equip individuals with the tools to navigate the subtleties of business casual dressing and avoid common pitfalls in shirt selection and fit.
