Shirt worthy of Xmas party (cocktail-wear) that doesn't have to be tucked in?

[tomjonesrocks]

Arrrgh...I'm trying to decide if I'm going to this Xmas party or not. I've got a short torso but longer legs and always look awful in shirts that are tucked in. Additionally have put on 10lbs around the middle--am going to have to work hard at the gym next year--anyway I'm hating everything I'm trying on right now that I have to tuck in. I'd go so far as to say I'm not going to this party if I can't find something that I don't have to.

Is there anything appropriate I can wear that won't require tucking in? I don't think everyone will be wearing ties--but you're supposed to be in "cocktail wear". When I see dress shirts in stores I don't know what doesn't have to be tucked.

Any suggestions? Am going to have to buy something pretty quick in order to get it tailored if I'm going.

TIA!...

 

[teddieriley]

I'm not an expert, but cocktail wear seems at least a suit and tie.

Never wear a dress shirt with slacks and fail to tuck in. Never. I would say the same with jeans.

There are some casual shirts that have a straight hem across the front and back, and those are not meant to be tucked in - but I don't think they are appropriate for "cocktail wear."

Any dress shirt is meant to be tucked in.

If you want to hide the gut, wear a jacket or coat, that has to help. Or try a loose fitting v-neck, but shirt still tucked in underneath.

 

[Brian278]

Just put a sweater on over a tucked in button-down. Problem solved.

Though I do think "cocktail wear" implies, at the least, a sportcoat, though it may mean different things in different parts of the country.

 

[tomjonesrocks]

Yeah--this isn't "black tie"--but there *will* be a lot of ties at the event--but plenty that do just a dress shirt and slacks and no tie.

I hadn't considered the above though--never worn that look but that could work...

 

[andrew.cmyk]

I'm in the same boat. I recently got an Express 1MX that has a slim, modern fit and a straight hem on the front and back sides which looks pretty great untucked. And it was really cheap! I don't think very many people are going all out with suits, so I'm thinking about jeans and a jacket for the casual/semi-formal cocktail Xmas party. This one's hosted by my friends... not work... so I could get away with a lot. As long as I'm not the worst-dressed person there, I should be able to avoid some ridicule.

 

[Leslierc]

It's just my 2-cents, but I always thought "cocktail wear/attire" meant a suit and tie. If I received an invitation to a Christmas party that indicated "cocktail wear" as the attire, I definitely would not arrive dressed in an untucked shirt. Then, again, you are acquainted with the host/hostess; so you may know better about what would be appropriate attire for this event.

 

[Leslierc]

Originally Posted by andrew.cmyk

As long as I'm not the worst-dressed person there, I should be able to avoid some ridicule.

Like playing "safe" in straight pool; sometimes, playing safe leads to anything but.