How to Tuck in a Sweater and Not Look a Mess
Over the years, I have received a lot of questions from the Wardrobe Oxygen Community on how to tuck in a sweater and not look like a mess. I wrote about the do's and don'ts of tucking in your shirt, but a sweater is a whole other beast for tucking. How do you deal with the bulk of a sweater, especially when your body is soft and curvy?
My Tips on How to Tuck in a Sweater and Not Look Like a Mess
The biggest tip I have for how to tuck in a sweater is it's all an optical illusion. Rarely is my sweater completely tucked in, and even when it is, it is adjusted just so as to look less bulky. I will share these styling tricks below with examples of different times I have tucked in a sweater.
1. Focus on the Front of your Look
When I tuck in a sweater, I start front and center. I make sure the sweater is lined up correctly with the center of my skirt, jeans, or pants. And then I carefully tuck from center to side seams, smoothing to ensure there isn't any pleating or gathering. And more often than not, that's where I stop tucking in my sweater.
For this look that got all the questions, my sweater was only tucked from the center to where the pockets start. The rest of the sweater was untucked and just bloused under. This way, the sweater's bulk is in the back where it has space to hang a bit lower. Because there is a proper waistband on this sweater, it will naturally fold at that point, keeping the sweater bloused under.
For this look, I am wearing a cashmere sweater tunic with side slits. I only tucked in the front part of the sweater, but I again employed focusing on the front of my look. By doing this, the front ended up being tucked in beyond the slits, which helped the back part blouse under on its own. You can see in some photos in the original outfit post that the back didn't stay bloused under. However, focusing on the front made it so the front looked polished, not sloppy which made the back look purposeful and not like I missed a part when I pulled up my jeans that morning.
2. Gather at the Small of your Back
Most of us curve in at the small of our back and curve out on the opposite side. By having a bit of bulk in the back of your look, it balances everything nicely. Try it, especially if you aren't comfortable tucking in tops. You may think it will spotlight your stomach but somehow having the front smooth and the back a bit gathered de-emphasizes those curves.
For this look, I tucked a cashmere turtleneck into fitted trousers using the same method of focusing on the front. I kept tucking as I went around the body, and then any bulk was at the small of my back. I tucked before I bloused, and through that tiny bit of blousing let me distribute a bit of the bulk through the back of the look.
For this look where I tucked a sweater into a skirt that was fitting a bit snugly that morning, you can see from this side view that I kept the sweater completely smooth from front to the sides and let the gathering happen at the small of the back. I bloused it out a bit to make space for the gathering. It looked balanced and not at all messy.
3. Tuck, then Blouse
If you tuck in your sweater focusing on it being smooth and even in the front and having any bulk gathered at the small of your back, you can use blousing as a way to redistribute that bulk.
I usually begin untucking by raising my hands over my head. I know such movement will happen during the day so I might as well make the outfit functional and flexible before I head out the door. This will pull bulk from the back to the sides a bit. I then even out the front, and by doing that some of that bulk that shifted to the sides will distribute in front.
Then in the back, I again use it as the place to sort of let things not be quite as pristine. But because it's where the body curves in, it doesn't look messy, it almost makes a v-shape towards the small of your back.
For this look, you can see how I pulled the side volume to the front and it almost created an architectural detail. I didn't plan it but I kept it, thinking it created more of a waist shape with really my body with such a skirt can look like a rectangle. Using the blousing as a time to be creative and try things. If it's weird if you untuck too much, no worries. Just go back and smooth from the belly button to the sides and try again.
4. Respect the Weight of the Sweater
Don't think you can do a full tuck of boiled wool, or a delicate linen sweater will look tidy with a 2″ French Tuck. Certain weight sweaters only work for certain styles of tucks. In general, the heavier the sweater the less of it you tuck in. If you tuck too heavy of a weight too much, the textile loses its ability to drape and you end up with bulk and a boxy result.
When it comes to lightweight sweaters like those of linen, silk, and open weaves, they need the support of being fully tucked in. Have you ever hung dry such a sweater? You'll find it will grow several inches in length. The same happens when you half-tuck a very lightweight sweater. The weave will stretch with wear, pulling all weight to the untucked part, affecting the entire hang of the sweater. With such fabrics either leave them untucked or go all in.
For this look, I only tucked in a couple of inches of this thick sweater. Any more, and the drape would be lost and with it my shape and my comfort. A bulky sweater in a waistband may look good in the mirror, but it won't feel good once you have to take a seat! A partial tuck like this is often called a French tuck. For a thick sweater, I don't recommend tucking any farther than where the belt loops on a pair of pants begin.
And for this look, the sweater was fully tucked because the spongey weave of this sweater, while thicker than linen, stretched easily. Just by gathering the bulk at the small of the back, it still achieved a high-low effect.
When Do You Tuck In A Sweater?
To tuck in a sweater or not? Consider the fit and the occasion. A fitted sweater that hits the waistline looks chic when tucked in, but if it's too loose or too long, it can create an unflattering silhouette. Tucking in a sweater can elevate a casual outfit for a dressy event, but leaving it untucked creates a laidback vibe for more relaxed occasions.
Ultimately, the decision to tuck in a sweater is based on personal preference and style. Experiment with different fits and occasions to find what works best for you. And keep in mind that fashion rules are meant to be broken – confidence and comfort in your outfit are key.
Mimic Tucking in a Sweater with a Skinny Belt
This tip only works with longer sweaters and sweaters that have a bit of a drape. If you don't want to tuck your sweater into your pants or skirt but want to achieve the effect of a tucked-in sweater, you can use a skinny belt. Cinch the skinniest belt you have at your natural waist or just above the waist of your bottom. Then blouse out the sweater until it covers up both the belt and any fabric below the belt.
To keep this from moving, you will want a belt with texture so it will grab the sweater. Think rubber, silicone, braided, or woven leather, something that will have a grip. Otherwise, you'll be constantly rearranging your look each time you stand up from a chair. With this, you want the belt to keep its shape.
Mimic Tucking in a Sweater with a Beltaway
I have seen many products on social media lately that are belts you wear on your body not through belt loops. With this belt, you tuck your sweater under the belt so you can mimic tucking without the bulk. I personally love the Beltaway, a belt that has been on the market over a decade and I find to be extremely high quality and size inclusive.
In the Instagram Reel above and available at this link, I show you how to use a Beltaway to mimic tucking in a sweater without bulk and without looking a mess. I have used a Beltaway for lightweight and heavy sweaters in a range of styles and lengths. The Beltaway is available in regular and plus sizes and a range of colors. It is free of metal so it doesn't have to be removed at TSA or metal detectors, and the size is comfortable and never rolls. I also find it comfortable all four seasons of the year since there is no silicone, rubber, and the only plastic is the buckle.
What About the Tucking Your Sweater Into Your Bra Trick?
I don't know what folks are running around town with chunky knit sweaters tucked into their bras feeling comfortable. I'm a grown-ass woman who wears a 36 F bra. The last thing I want is more bulk in those cups or more pressure from the band. So a bra tuck is really not an option. And unlike your pants or skirt where you can gather at the small of your back or do a half tuck, you have nowhere for the bulk to go with your bra strap.
Instead, I recommend achieving the same effect with a Beltaway belt placed on your torso under the sweater and use in the same method, leaving your bra to do all its bra things.
The front of all these sweaters looks great. But what about the sides and back? I’d love to see 4 photos of the same outfit — from the front, side, back, and other side. Hey, for a bonus, you could take restroom breaks in between each photo and then calculate the amount of time it takes to recreate the tuck every time! Besides the time and effort, though, I can’t understand how a partial tuck doesn’t create bulk at the sides, back, and even underarms.
I love the idea of tucking in a sweater without creating bulk. I do have a long torso though, so I never think it looks good on me.
I have never understood this partial tuck look and its appeal. These all work great for you because of your large chest. Works great for anywhere is a size 4 or smaller. For anyone else who is the least bit thick, but with a smaller chest, this look is most un-flattering. Every time I see it on a larger person like myself I cringe. Just makes most people look bigger around the middleโright where we donโt want to look bigger!
Thanks for all your practical and good looking suggestions. You give us some very helpful and practical coaching in making our sweaters and waistlines look good.
I had to think a minute about where and why someone would tuck a sweater into their bra. I guess so it looks less bulky under a jacket? But then what happens when you want to take off the jacket? I am against outfits that require your jacket stay on at all times lest you appear ridiculous.
Tan France has made us all realize the possibilities of partial tucking! That said, the thing I’ve realized when I do it, at least in pants, is that I then have to spend time re-creating the tuck each time I go to the loo, and checking it each time in the mirror. Which is not a huge deal but does make it more of an obligation rather than just being dressed and done for the day.
I’m new to the word “blousing”, but I think I understand it as a lighter tucking (like tucking in a blouse more loosely with some gather).
Alison, you look fantastic in the black sweater with the pink trousers! They make your legs look so long!
Alison, like Kim posted above, I’d appreciate a short video tutorial.
Iโm jumping on the tucking bandwagon and leaving my belly baggage behind! Canโt wait to try tucking sweaters! (Cmon cooler temps!!)
Thank you for writing this so clearly. Even I feel ready to try it and I’m not someone who tucks anything ever. I’m excited to try tomorrow..
I, too, might give this a try. I haven’t tucked in tops for ages because I have all my weight in my tummy. I also have small breasts, so I can’t get the look of a smaller waist from the side when I tuck. But the worst that can happen is that I’ll decide it’s not for me!
I have been eagerly awaiting this post! I have avoided tucking in anything for many years being self-conscious about my curves, but I think I am finally ready to give it a try.
This post is fantastic, but I would absolutely love a video tutorial, either here on your blog or on Instagram.
Your tucking methods for anything bulky (think tunic that veers toward that โare you pregnant lookโ). Your tutorial is spot on. Thanks!
Iโve seen articles on tucking before, but yours is the first that made it make sense. Thank you! I will be experimenting. Sweater weather is upon us.