Want to master the art of the French tuck? Read on to explore the best ways to tuck in your top to create chic outfits everyday.
There’s been a lot of buzz about the infamous “French tuck” since the term was coined by Queer Eye’s Tan France during one of the show’s episodes. Even if you haven’t seen the series you might have heard the term used somewhere on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
Regardless of where and when and how this term came about, the French tuck is a stylish way to wear a top, shirt, blouse, or knit. It’s a style that’s been used for years, decades, and possibly longer? Who honestly knows, but it’s a style that here to stay.
In this post, you will learn how to do a French tuck, explore cute outfit ideas, and learn important fashion tips to make the style work for you.
This post is all about the French tuck.
What Is A French Tuck?
Just in case you didn’t get the memo, let’s review the definition of a French tuck before we dive into the tutorial.
A “French tuck” is a fancy way for describing a shirt or top that is half-tucked in the front while hanging loose in the back. “Half tuck” or “front tuck” are also appropriate terms for the style.
The style is great for those non-committal days when you aren’t completely sold on tucking your entire shirt in or don’t want to risk looking sloppy with an untucked shirt. French tucks are perfect for creating a casual chic style for that “je ne sais quoi” aesthetic. The French tuck embodies the “I woke up like this” or the “stylish, but not desperately trying” mentality.
What Are The Benefits Of A French Tuck?
French tucking your shirt can balance the proportions of an outfit. According to the Rule of Thirds, a design principle based on the golden ratio, 2:3 being the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye (as opposed to 1:1).
From a style standpoint, breaking the components of your outfit into a 2:3 ratio (or 1/3 and 2/3) will give you the best look. Oftentimes tops are too long and if left untucked can throw off the balance of an outfit making you look shorter and quite unflattering. A French tuck is the perfect choice for balancing proportions and remaining casual.
If you hate tucking your entire shirt in (especially when it’s oversized), this is the perfect option without sacrificing style. It gives an outfit more style than a regular untucked shirt. Way more style, if we’re being real.
The front tuck can also create the illusion of longer legs, so if you’re petite styling or trying to elongate your legs in general, do take note.
Is The French Tuck Still in Style?
I had to mention this after seeing endless Reddit posts voicing concern over the French tuck being a passing fad. Let me set the record straight.
The French tuck is a timeless style hack. As long as there are shirts to tuck and bottoms to tuck into, it’s here to stay. I’d even classify the style as Parisian chic. And, honestly, is anything that combines the two concepts of “French” and “fashion” ever out of style?
I rest my case.
Now, let’s get on to how to tuck your shirt the French way!
How To Do A French Tuck
The perfect French tuck can be done with any type of top or knit that’s at least a bit loose. Looseness is required because the back of the top remains untucked and is supposed to loosely hang down giving the style its carefree vibe. In other words, this style won’t work with a fitted top.
How To Tuck In A Loose Shirt
For the best explanation, here’s a video tutorial for how to tuck in your shirt, French style.
- Put your shirt on and style as you want to wear it (buttoned or not).
- If the shirt or top has buttons, button it in the areas above and below where the shirt will be tucked (at the top of your bottoms).
- Tuck the front part of the shirt in and make sure the tuck is in the middle of the two buttons and completely smooth underneath your bottoms.
- Tweak the front of the shirt to either have a little poof (relaxed) or a flat tuck (streamlined) against the body
- Tweak the sides of the shirt so they aren’t tucked in, but it’s neat where the tuck and untuck meet.
- Make sure the back is draped down in a flattering way
The end result should look neat in the front where the top is tucked and relaxed in the back. Aim for smoothness in your tuck without extra bunching.
Now, let’s look at some French tuck outfits with different kinds of tops.
French Tuck Fashion
French Tuck Button Down
A button-down shirt is a classic wardrobe essential that looks great tucked in the front with the sides and back hanging loose. Choose a shirt that’s slightly oversized so there’s just enough fabric to tuck in loosely without bunching up.
French Tuck Blouse
Give a lightweight silk blouse some shape with a half tuck into a high-waisted pair of jeans. The perfect smart casual outfit.
French Tuck Shirt
Make that band t-shirt more feminine by styling your tuck slightly off-center. This is best for slightly loose to slightly oversized shirts. Fold the loose part of the t-shirt under for a cleaner look in the back.
French Tuck Belt
A belt just classes an outfit up. It’s also a must if you’re tucking a shirt into a pair of bottoms with a looser waist to emphasize your waist and bring back some shape to the body.
French Tuck Sweater
Turn a boxy, shapeless sweater into a chic top with a simple off-center tuck for an everyday casual outfit. Frumpy no more!
French Tuck Cardigan
If you like to wear your cardigans as tops, this creates more versatility with your wardrobe essentials. Tucking a cardigan into the front of high-waisted jeans looks super stylish and is just a little bit warmer in the cold weather.
French Tuck Turtleneck
Oversized turtlenecks don’t need to completely swallow your figure when you playfully tuck it in-front. This is a great hack for creating stylish winter outfits.
Half French Tuck
For a trendier style and an alternate way to style your basics, tuck the buttoned side of a shirt in and leave the unbuttoned side out. It also works wonders with structured fabrics, like crisp cotton poplin, that might otherwise look awkward draped at the sides.
French Tuck Styling Tips
- Opt for mid to high-rise bottoms for the best front tuck because low-rise will throw off proportions (waistband at or near the smallest part of the waist is best)
- Avoid fitted tops; stick to slightly loose to moderately oversized
- Ensure button placket falls down the midline of the body and isn’t off-center
- Make the style relaxed by adding more poof in the front of the shirt (less of shirt is tucked in)
- Smooth out fabric that’s tucked in to avoid awkward bumps and bulges
- Add a hip belt to emphasize your shape and curves
- Play around with an off-center tuck
- Try a 2/3 tuck (2/3 of shirt is untucked, 1/3 of shirt is tucked in) – my personal favorite!
- Shorter tops, shirts, or knits can be secured with a tight waist belt (especially when styling with skirts)
- Keep tweaking until you find the best style–it will be different depending on the type of top, length, fabric, etc.
- If you’re styling French tuck plus size or with a belly, dark-colored bottoms will help minimize volume in that area
This post was all about the french tuck
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