How to properly put on a dress shirt

[pigcorn]

Sounds kind of silly but I was in a shop in the UK and I was trying on a dress shirt with tie. I put the shirt on, flipped the collar up in the air and started buttoning the top button. No! The sales person replied, keep the collar down and button all the button except the top, then do the top last and flip up and put the tie on.

I am sure he had a reason for this as I have been wearing shirts like this for 20 years and maybe it was just poor habit? Should I change my ways of putting a dress shirt on?

 

[constant struggle]

In the grand scheme it doesn't matter, but I follow the SA's way of doing things...

 

[yachtie]

This is ripe for a string of snotty witticisims,

but no, there is no "proper" way of putting on a shirt.

 

[TheFoo]

I button and then flip, but only as a matter of practicality. It seems much more difficult to fasten my collar once it's flipped up.

What we need is a discussion of how people tuck their shirts in. I try to keep everything equally distributed, aligning the side seams with reference to my belt loops. Then I reach up with my arms and gently twist my torso to undo any over-concentrated bunching at the waistband. This method gets me nice, uniform drape, without too much blousiness.

 

[stickonatree]

ask him if he was picked on a lot as a kid

 

[ThinkandDrive]

The only think I can think of is that the act of flipping the collar back down while the button is fastened may put stress on the collar.

But I dunno. That's a stretch.

I keep the collar down, button starting from the second-button and then fasten the top button last.

 

[gdl203]

Only on styleforum...

 

[bigbris1]

Button all buttons except top. Attach cufflinks. Flip up collar, put tie around neck. Fold collar back down, button top button. Tie tie.

Since most of my shirts have stiff collars, flipping the collar up & down with the top button buttoned make it seem like the collar will "break".

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

This seemed pretty cool to me but I've never been able to do it.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

This seemed pretty cool to me but I've never been able to do it.

Or you can buy shirts that fit...

 

[bigbris1]

I was told that is the "Military tuck"

 

[Steve Smith]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

I was told that is the "Military tuck"

That is correct.

 

[Despos]

Originally Posted by pigcorn

Sounds kind of silly but I was in a shop in the UK and I was trying on a dress shirt with tie. I put the shirt on, flipped the collar up in the air and started buttoning the top button. No! The sales person replied, keep the collar down and button all the button except the top, then do the top last and flip up and put the tie on.

I am sure he had a reason for this as I have been wearing shirts like this for 20 years and maybe it was just poor habit? Should I change my ways of putting a dress shirt on?

He is right except DO NOT flip the collar up. Top button open, insert tie under collar, give it the turkish pull, button top button, make your knot.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Despos

He is right except DO NOT flip the collar up. Top button open, insert tie under collar, give it the turkish pull, button top button, make your knot.

Does this method help prevent collar wrinkles?

 

[oldog/oldtrix]

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

This seemed pretty cool to me but I've never been able to do it.

Here is a better method to achieve a perfectly tucked shirt (sorry, no photos available):

1. Unstitch inner leg seams and crotch/seat seam of trousers, but leave waistband fully intact.

2. Put on shirt and button all buttons (collar button may be left unbuttoned if desired).

3. Hold trousers aloft, with waistband unbuttoned and fly unzipped/unbuttoned, and lower them slowly over head, then shoulders, then torso until waistband reaches waist.

4. Button waistband and zip/button fly.

5. Shirt should have been captured smoothly during process of lowering trousers over head, shoulders, and torso; but if there is any sloppines around the waist simply reach up through unstitched crotch of trousers and pull excess shirt down.

6. Stitch crotch and inner leg seams closed and you're done.

Who says everyone puts on his pants one leg at a time?