(Video) To Tuck Or Not To Tuck…Camel Moto Jacket, Blue Button-Up Shirt, Navy Slim Cropped Pants, Cognac Top Handle, Leopard-Print Flats

(ABOVE) The classic combination of jacket, button up, trousers, and ballet flats is always in style and compliments any figure. Whether to tuck in the shirt or not, is up to you. Both look flattering.

To View The YouTube Video of My Outfit, Scroll to Bottom of This Page

Shortly after I posted this video on YouTube yesterday, a viewer left a comment: “Thanks for the tip on wearing cropped pants with flats–it does elongate your legs. I also love the way you style the Oxford shirt but would like tips on wearing them when you’re not so thin around the waist. Super cute leopard flats!”

I thought it was a relevant question, given how few women we see in the media these days (of all shapes and sizes) with shirts tucked into their pants–or skirts, for that matter. The shirt-out look appears to be the only one acceptable for women who are not super-model in age or size.

But I think that’s a shame, because women look terrific when they tuck in a blouse–no matter what their shape and size. The key is to make sure the pants and shirt fit well (i.e., not too tight or loose). Take a look at the photograph, below, of Rochelle Johnson from Beauticurve.com. Rochelle–who describes herself as a plus-size girl who isn’t afraid to wear what she loves and break a few rules–finds that balance perfectly.

If your pants or skirt fit well everywhere but the waistband–so you still have roll-over–it’s still possible to tuck. Sort of. I have jeans that create a muffin top, but I don’t want to give them up. So when I want to wear them, but still have a tucked-in look, I choose a loose-fitting, weightier fabric top (I stay away from light, clingy fabrics) and I only tuck in the front of the blouse. I leave the rest of the blouse un-tucked, hiding my not-so-perfect-fitting waistband. (See me wearing the semi-tucked look here.)

If even partial tucking makes you feel uncomfortable, though, you can still wear a button-up oxford shirt like I’m wearing here. Just make sure it is more slim fitting (but not tight), and leave it un-tucked completely.

At least, those are my thoughts on the matter. I hope there was something useful in there. ~Janis Lyn Johnson

WHAT I’M WEARING

CLOTHING…JACKET: Ann Taylor (Similar Nordstrom) / SHIRT: Land’s End (Also Gap) / PANTS: Kenar (Similar Nordstrom or Old Navy) / JEWELRY…WATCH: Michael Kors / NECKLACE: (Similar) / BRACELET: (Similar Nordstrom) / ACCESSORIES…BELT: Tory Burch (Similar Tory Burch or Nordstrom) / BAG: Prada, Carmello (Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue; or Alternative Saffiano Double-Zip Totes) / SHOES: Butterfly Twists Calfhair (Similar Sam Edelman) / MY MAKEUP (All Natural/Organic Ingredients)…FACE: 100% Pure, Both Crème and White Peach / CHEEKS: Gabriel Color, Vibrant Pink / LIPS: 100% Pure, Anti-Aging Lipstick, Calendula / EYELIDS: Gabriel Color, Eye Shadow, Charcoal / EYELASHES: 100% Pure, Black Tea. (Some links are affiliates. More information here.)

(BELOW) Rochelle, from Beauticurve.com, illustrates how classically refined a woman looks with a shirt tucked into belted trousers–here, without a jacket.