I posted a shirt-tucking video on YouTube a couple of weeks ago and one comment gave me pause — and a great opening for this post: It was along the lines of… “If you need a video to explain tucking, it’s contrived and silly.”
Is style purely art and not at all a science? If it isn’t intuitive for someone, should they give up on understanding and applying it?
Science is the study and application of knowledge based on objective observation. So, couldn’t style be learned, applied, and result in the same beautiful, creative expression that comes naturally to someone else? I want to believe that you could place a paintbrush in the hand of a novice who might never have considered themselves an artist and, with time and proper guidance, transform them into a budding Picasso.
And by the way, who’s to say some of the icons in those street-style images I’ve saved haven’t spent hours studying the art AND SCIENCE of dressing? I couldn’t tell you - because when an image strikes me, what usually filters through is confidence, and that comes from knowledge of material (literally and figuratively); and I’m guessing that for some, it isn’t intuitive — it’s taken time, intention, and dedication to acquire it.
I’m at an age where my health is on an active decline, and the threat of dementia hangs about; curiosity and a willingness to embrace new skills are my first, and best, defence (blackberries being a tasty second). I’m always looking to challenge my mind: I change my route home on occasion, vacuum with the opposite hand, do the NYT wordle, and spend MANY hours playing in my closet, experimenting. Sometimes things work, and sometimes they don’t, but I don’t stop trying. And I don’t think it’s contrived, forced, or manufactured: it’s the only way to master a craft.
So, if you watched me ramble on about the nuances of tucking a shirt (thank you), consider it a two-for-one… style tips and brain fuel.
Shirt: I wanted The Row linen Nesson in black but selected this shirt (part of the gifting component of my partnership with Banana Republic), and it’s excellent. It’s not heavy, has just the right amount of slack for tucking, and fits true—I’m in an XS.
Pants: I’ve been living in these pants. They give my Eglittas good competition, and I’ve posted them in other colours a few more times in this letter (you’ll see). In the white, they’re a tad see-through (nude undies required, and full pocket view regardless), but that doesn’t bother me. The weight is lovely, and they’re a low to mid-rise. I’m in the XS and had them hemmed to a break and a half (I’m 5’2”). I could have taken the petite, and they wouldn’t have required any hemming, but I only discovered that later.
Shirt: I wish they’d made more of this one. It reminds me of my plaid Nesson. It’s a cotton voile fabric in a vibrant check print (I’m wearing size 0). I’d keep an eye on Auralee - I have a few of their pieces now and the quality and cut are great.
Shirt: My beautiful friend Nina, in the background, and I met for lunch and strolled through COS afterwards to try on some spring merch. I initially dismissed this shirt because I thought it’d be impossible to keep it lipstick-free, but the collar and colour were too good to pass up. It’s crispy and thin, and I’m in a size 32, but I could have done a 34.
Shirt: New to me, Comme Si kindly sent me this gorgeous maraschino shirt, and I think I’m addicted to all the reds, everywhere. This one is oversized, even in the XS I’m wearing, but not too voluminous and not too long. It's a mid-weight cotton and easy to tuck.
Jeans: I'm wearing size 0, but that’s the old sizing. In their current sizing, I’d take a 24 for this fit. This style is either a hit or miss. It’s very low-waisted, slim through the legs, and bunches a bit at the crotch, but not so much that it looks indecent. I hear the newly issued taupe is a no-go for many for this reason. You have to try it yourself to see.
Shirt: Same as before, this one.
Pants: Those pants I mentioned, the ones I’m living in.
Shirt - One of the hardest shirts to tuck, Luka is HUGE (I spoke about this in my YouTube video) and gives me a good fight every time I want to wear it. It requires both a front and partial back tuck, and even then, I’m periodically fussing with it, but it’s worth it. I have yet to see another shirt in this colour, and no, the picture isn’t quite capturing it (the one below does a better job).
Pants: Same as before.
Shirt: Massimo always has excellent options for shirts in lovely colours. It’s an easy way to freshen up your wardrobe. The quality is pretty good, and so is the price. Because it’s affordable, I don’t worry about wearing them out to dinner and eating pasta with red sauce.
Pants: bored yet? I’m so in love with these.
Shirt: The one I’m wearing is sold out, but I’ve seen a couple pop up for resale on TRR—two in the last few days—so keep looking. Unlike Luka’s cotton sister, the silk version sits beautifully, and there’s no bunching or fussing. Silk is always easy.
Pants: Yup, same ones again.
Shirt: I discussed plaid Nesson at length in this post. It wasn’t on my “to buy” list, but then I had to have it. No regrets! It's made of airy, lightweight cotton and the colours are spectacular.
Skirt: The denim skirt fits small (size up). I like it low and loose around the hips.
That’s all for this one, happy tantrum-free tucking!
N xo
The things that appear the most ‘effortless’ in life are often the most effort-filled when replicating. Always worth the breakdown! x
You are a master of elevated basics wow - I end up always doing a full tuck, so saving this immediately to my inspo folder