Summer is unofficially underway.  

Besides busting out your camp collar shirts for relaxed summer vibes, you might consider changing up your footwear for the warmer weather.

Summer shoes put a premium on breathability so your feet stay cool and don’t get smelly during the hot days. They’re also typically more casual than fall and winter shoes and just look chill and relaxed.

When most men think of a summer shoe that’s breathable and relaxed, they usually think of sandals first. But there are other summer shoe options besides sandals! Footwear options that thankfully keep your toes hidden — because no one wants to see a dude’s toes.

Below, we’ll dig into these options (and when sandals are appropriate), offering a guide to the essential summer shoes every man should consider adding to his wardrobe.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles are lightweight, breathable shoes with canvas or cotton uppers and distinctive woven rope soles, traditionally crafted from jute.

They combine comfort, relaxed style, and excellent airflow, making them perfect for beach outings, leisurely strolls, or relaxed gatherings during warm weather. Since they’re lightweight, they’re great for vacation packing.

The two cons of espadrilles are that they absorb water easily and wear down quickly on pavement.

They pair nicely with linen chinos, shorts, and Guayabera shirts.

Canvas Sneakers

Canvas sneakers combine breathable fabric and casual comfort that’s just right for summer. Iconic slip-on styles like those from Vans and SeaVees, first favored by California surfers in the 1960s, deliver effortless, laid-back vibes. Lace-up classics, including Converse Chuck Taylors, offer timeless versatility.

Wear them with shorts or chinos for an easygoing outfit at backyard cookouts or city strolls.

While canvas is breathable, canvas sneakers can still get smelly. Make sure to read our guide on how to go sockless in the summer without stinking up your shoes. Your best bet is to wear a no-show sock with canvas sneakers to avoid the smell issue.

Boat Shoes

Invented by Paul Sperry in 1935, boat shoes feature siped soles for grip on wet decks. They’re typically associated with East Coast preppy dudes, but can be pulled off by guys from coast to coast.

Boat shoes seem to cycle in and out of fashion. They were popular when I was in high school back in the 90s (I wore them), and then they became uncool. But boat shoes are back in style.

Boat shoes up the class level just a notch above sneakers, so that they look best with an outfit that rises a bit above the ordinary t-shirt + jeans/shorts combo — think a polo shirt, button-down, short-sleeve henley, or guayabera on top, and nicer jeans, khakis, or shorts on the bottom. You can even wear them with a blazer — if you dress down the rest of the elements in your get-up.

See our full guide to boat shoes.

Boat shoes are typically worn without socks. Make sure to let them air out after each wearing.

Huaraches & Woven-Leather Shoes

Huaraches blend airy woven leather comfort with versatile style. Originating in Mexico, they offer excellent breathability and a custom fit, as they mold to your feet as you wear them regularly. No need to wear socks with them. They offer the breathability of a sandal while covering your toes.

Slightly dressier than typical sandals or sneakers, huaraches pair well with things like chinos and Oxford button-downs. You could even wear them with a lightweight summer suit.  

Mohinders City Slipper

My personal summer favorite is the Mohinders City Slipper. It’s basically a huarache slide. Handcrafted from water buffalo leather, they’re breathable, stylishly minimalist, and only get better with age. Whenever I wear them, I get compliments and questions about where I got them.

Mohinders aren’t great if you’re walking long distances. I’ve done that before and just ended up with blisters. Save them for cookouts or sipping drinks on the beach.

They pair well with khaki shorts, linen pants, and camp shirts.

Summer-Weight Loafers

Summer-weight loafers, particularly unlined leather or suede loafers and driving moccasins, provide an effortlessly refined option for warm weather. They seamlessly bridge casual and dressy outfits, easily pairing with everything from tailored shorts and polos to linen suits. They’re a nice addition to your summer smart casual wardrobe.

Keep them fresh with regular suede brushing, waterproof spray, and cedar shoe trees to manage moisture and maintain shape.

Sandals: Limited Use

One of Walker Lamond’s rules of life is “Men should not wear sandals. Ever.” My 14-year-old son spontaneously came to the same conclusion without any coaching from me. Why? Because dudes’ feet are just ugly.

Walker makes one exception for sandals: Sandals are allowed if you’re using them as gear for a specific water-based situation, like going to the pool or rafting. For all other situations, stick with one of the above summertime shoes.

Quick Decision Guide

• Near or in water? ➜ Sandal
• Smart-casual dinner? ➜ Unlined loafers or Huaraches
• Wet deck or rainy boardwalk? ➜ Boat shoes
• City exploration? ➜ Canvas sneakers
• Beach town evenings? ➜ Espadrilles or Mohinders

A solid summer shoe rotation — one breathable closed-toe, one dressy loafer, and one water-ready sandal — covers nearly every warm-weather occasion and will keep you feeling chill and looking sharp all season long.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

The polo is a style staple and one of the most versatile shirts a man can own. Donning one is an easy way to level up your look when the occasion calls for something a notch above a t-shirt.

But that ease can lead to complacency, and the polo often ends up in some very unstylish territory.

A guy needs a collared shirt for an event, grabs one off the rack at Kohl’s, throws it on thoughtlessly — and ends up looking like a middle manager at Acme Co.

Maybe that’s okay if you’re about to give a PowerPoint presentation on Q3 sales, but a lot of guys would like to look sharper in a polo for social occasions, and even at work.

If you want yours to read as more stylish and handsome than boring and corporate, follow these five guidelines:

1. Dial in the Fit

Middle Manager Move: Oversized polos with sleeves hanging past the elbow and bodies billowing like sails.

Manly Upgrade: As with any garment, fit is king — and that’s especially true with the polo, where a loose, shapeless cut only adds to the shirt’s reputation as an afterthought. Instead of swimming in a sloppy shirt that hides your build, opt for a polo that flatters your frame with:

• A slim-but-not-tight silhouette.
• Sleeves that hit mid-bicep and hug the arm a little.
• Length that lands mid-fly — long enough to tuck, short enough to leave out.

2. Choose Classic Fabrics

Middle Manager Move: Shiny, synthetic polos with moisture-wicking sheen.

Manly Upgrade: Tech fabric exudes an air of the office and suburban-dad-dom. So save the shiny polos for the golf course, and choose polos made with traditional pique cotton or jersey knit. Jersey and pique cotton offer structure without stiffness and a texture that looks classic and inviting.

3. Dress It With Intention

Middle Manager Move: Wearing a polo as part of a generic business-casual getup — tucked into pleated khakis, paired with a braided belt and boxy dress shoes.

Manly Upgrade: You want to treat the polo like a grown-up essential, not a placeholder. Give some thought to how you wear it and what you wear it with by:

• Pairing it with tailored chinos, trousers, or well-fitting jeans.
• Adding refined-yet-relaxed footwear: loafers, chukka boots, clean sneakers.
• Accessorizing with a cool bracelet or watch (or both, like Clark Gable above)
• Tucking it in (if you want) but anchored with a leather or canvas belt.

4. Branch Out With Colors

Middle Manager Move: Wearing only safe colors — navy, black, or corporate baby blue.

Manly Upgrade: There’s nothing wrong with a polo in a basic color like blue, but when you’re trying to look more stylish and sharp than stiff and stale, branch into earth tones (olive, rust, cream), deep classics (burgundy, forest green), or even a light mint or pink for spring and summer.

5. Level Up With Layers

Middle Manager Move: Nothing but the polo up top.

Manly Upgrade: One-dimensional outfits are fine, and a necessity for the hottest months of the year. But when the weather allows, adding a layer adds visual interest to your getup. Polos can look great with a lightweight jacket, cardigan, or even a sport coat over them.

Don’t Let the Polo Phone It In

The polo shirt’s got plenty more potential than being the go-to uniform of the apathetic office worker or the off-duty regional manager. With better styling, it can look intentional and sharp — put-together but still laid-back. Wear it with some purpose, and it rises above the cubicle to become a sartorial statement.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Note: This is a sponsored post brought to you by Huckberry.

When spring rolls in, so do new adventures — whether that’s a weekend trip out of town, a fresh household or work project, or simply a walk through the neighborhood as the world thaws out. Wherever you’re headed, LUCA footwear has you covered from the ground up.

LUCA shoes are built for the man who wants clean, timeless style with all-day comfort and dependable durability. Our friends at Huckberry have put together three springtime looks centered around LUCA’s versatile lineup. From laid-back chukkas to modern slip-ons, these shoes are ready to step into whatever the season brings.

Outfit #1: The Spring Weekender

You’re headed out of town for the weekend with friends. You packed light, but dialed in the essentials — comfortable, casual clothing that keeps you looking sharp from breakfast in town to relaxing around a firepit at night.

1. LUCA Terra Moc Chukka Sneaker Boot. A hybrid of moccasin comfort and sneaker utility, these chukkas are your go-to for all-day wear on the road and at your destination.

2. Flint and Tinder Crochet Knit Polo Shirt. Light and breathable with a subtle vintage vibe, this handsome polo is the perfect piece for springtime smart casual.

3. Flint and Tinder 365 Pant. Stretchy, tailored, and endlessly versatile. Soft, comfortable, yet stylish, they easily go from workwear to weekend-wear.

4. Wills Cotton Cashmere Goleta Polo. Another option for a top to wear on your weekend away when you want to elevate your look beyond the t-shirt.

5. CAMP Eyewear Topo Smokey Bear Sunglasses. Classic frames that bring just enough personality, plus polarized lenses to cut the glare on the open road.

Outfit #2: The Urban Daily Driver

Your spring calendar’s stacked — coffee shop meetings, picking the kids up from practice, a quick hike when you can sneak it in. You want a kit that’s practical, unfussy, and can keep up without slowing you down.

1. LUCA Pebbled Leather Terra Low Sneaker. Minimalist and clean, these low tops elevate your usual sneaker game while staying rugged enough for spring’s unpredictable conditions.

2. Trumbull Vintage Wash Crewneck Sweatshirt. Washed to vintage softness, this crewneck hits the sweet spot between comfort and polish.

3. Flint and Tinder Stretch Selvedge Denim. Built like proper jeans, but with hidden stretch that makes them feel broken-in on day one.

4. Huckberry Waxed Canvas 6-Panel Hat. Blocks the sun, handles a little drizzle, and brings a utilitarian edge to your look.

5. GORUCK x Michael Easter 2% Bullet Backpack. A collab between GoRuck and Comfort Crisis-author and rucking-advocate Michael Easter. Bombproof, compact, and purpose-built — just like your daily schedule.

Outfit #3: The Office (or Date Night) Upgrade

You’ve got plans downtown — maybe a client meeting, maybe a dinner reservation. Either way, you need a fit that’s elevated but still easy to wear. This is spring layering done right.

1. LUCA Terra Slip On Chelsea Sneaker Boot. A refined slip-on with the silhouette of a Chelsea boot and the comfort of a sneaker — dressy, but not fussy.

2. Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer. Tailored structure with hidden stretch. Wear it to the office or throw it on for a date with your main squeeze.

3. Flint and Tinder Linen Ripstop Mill Pant. Breathable, rugged linen for when denim feels too heavy and chinos too stiff.

4. Flint and Tinder Hemp Classic Long Sleeve Button Down. Lightweight, textured, and sharp — perfect on its own or layered.

5. Huckberry x Timex Titanium Automatic Field Watch. A rugged, lightweight automatic timepiece that bridges form and function with effortless style.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

A suit is one of the most expensive clothing items, or just items, period, you’ll ever buy. As such, it should be thought of as an investment — something to proactively extend the life and value of. Though the lifespan of a suit varies according to how well it’s made and how often it’s worn, with proper care, a quality suit can generally last for years, and even decades. Treat your suit well, and you’re more likely to tire of it, or have its style go out of fashion (even the look of the most “classic” suits varies over time), than you are to have it wear out. 

That kind of care doesn’t have to be onerous or time-consuming: with a couple clicks to buy some nicer hangers and 60 seconds of brushing and proper hanging when you take it off, you can keep your suit looking sharp, make it last as long as possible, and save yourself a good amount of money in the long run. 

Related Resources:

• The 30-Second Suit Quality Test
• How to Hang Dress Pants So They Don’t Fall Off the Hanger
• How to Protect, Store, and Clean Your Clothing
• A Man’s Guide to Dry Cleaning

Illustrated by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

You’d think there wouldn’t be much to applying hair product. Just rub in hands and put in hair.

Right?

Well, no. You can apply product incorrectly, leaving you with visible, undistributed globs, uneven styling, or flat-looking hair.

Over the years, I’ve picked up tips from my barbers on how to get the most out of my hair product and apply it effectively. It comes down to a few simple tweaks to its application. Three have been particular game-changers for me:

First, apply product to slightly damp hair. For a long time, I’d just plop product in my hair immediately after my shower with my hair sopping wet. That just dilutes the product, giving you less hold and uneven application. Now, I give my hair a thorough towel-drying first. 

Second, apply the product from back to front. Before, I’d apply it from front to back. I reckon a lot of dudes do. The problem with that approach is that you end up putting most of the product in the front of your hair, which can cause clumping in the part of your hair that’s most noticeable to others. Starting from the back and working your way to the front avoids that.`

Finally, don’t use too much. A little goes a long way with hair product! Too much and you risk clumping and uneven styling. 

Follow these tips and those in the illustrated guide above, and you’ll be a regular ol’ Dapper Dan.

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

The holidays are supposed to be a break in our everyday lives — something special that lifts us out of the mundane. Part of what makes an occasion feel special for us, and contributes to an atmosphere that makes it feel special to others, is how we dress. Sit down to Thanksgiving dinner in a t-shirt and jeans, and it feels like any other day; dress a little sharper and it feels more like a holiday.

You can mix up the style of sweater you wear for these occasions — we just wanted to get you thinking about the range of options out there. You can read up about which sweater styles are appropriate for certain situations here. And if you’re looking for more tips on dressing for the holidays, check out this guide.

Like this illustrated guide? Then you’re going to love our book The Illustrated Art of Manliness! Pick up a copy on Amazon.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

You’re about to go into a big business meeting; your suit is perfectly fitted, your shoes are shined, and your shirt is pressed. Which necktie knot do you go with? It has to make an impression, but not be flashy. It needs to convey power, confidence, and authority. The choice is simple: the full Windsor (also sometimes called just the Windsor or the bouble Windsor). It’s on the larger end of necktie knots, maintains a classic feel, and shows that you mean business.

Because of this, it’s a knot that is to be worn for more formal occasions and meetings. Think weddings, very important business meetings or pitches, and, should you find yourself in the highest echelons of politics, presidential debates.

Because it’s a large knot, the Windsor should be worn with a spread collar. For men who are stout, or have wider faces and necks, the knot will look appropriately proportional with your build and mug, and should be your go-to tie knot.

Learn how to tie other necktie knots:

• Four-in-Hand
• Half-Windsor
• Shelby
• Simple

Like this illustrated guide? Then you’re going to love our book The Illustrated Art of Manliness! Pick up a copy on Amazon.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

YOU DO NOT IRON A CREASE IN YOUR JEANS!

That’s been the golden rule of denim for years. Why? Simple. Jeans are casual. Workwear. Creases spell formality. Mixing the two? It’s like wearing a tuxedo to mow the lawn.

But my old man, Tom McKay, ironed his jeans religiously. Well, he wore ironed jeans. My mom did the actual ironing.

As a federal game warden, Dad’s work uniform was a pair of crisply ironed bootcut Wranglers, a pique polo, and cowboy boots. As a kid, I remember watching Mom iron a sharp crease into my dad’s jeans while she watched Touched by an Angel and thinking to myself, “What gives? Jeans aren’t business slacks!”

Fast-forward to me in my 40s, and I’m flipping through old photos at my folks’ house. There’s Dad in his razor-sharp creased Wranglers, and damn if he doesn’t look like he means business.

Tom McKay, meaning business in his ironed Wranglers, circa 1989.

But I also started noticing ironed Wranglers in other places besides my old family photo albums.

The troubadour George Strait rocks creased Wranglers like they’re dress pants (even wearing them with a tuxedo top). Cowboys in rural Oklahoma sport pressed denim like it’s their Sunday best.

Turns out, there’s a whole subset of cowboys who swear by starched, ironed jeans. Their reasons?

1. Protection: They claim the starch acts like armor. (Debatable — science says it might weaken the fabric.)
2. Looks sharp: A crease in your Wranglers says, “I’m ready to bale some hay, but I could also take my gal to Cattleman’s Steakhouse right afterward.”

Besides seeing them on 90s country music legends and cowpokes in Blanco, OK, I’ve also been seeing ironed Wranglers amongst the hip, young crowd. Bootcut Wranglers, ironed to perfection, are becoming a thing amongst fashion-forward cool dudes. Even the Wrancher — a polyester cowboy dress pant (another style staple of Tom McKay) — is gaining traction.

And so, curiosity got the better of me. I took the plunge and ironed my Cowboy Cut Wranglers. Reader, it’s a solid look. At least, I think so.

Here are a few looks I put together with my ironed jeans:

Calling this first fit “The Tom McKay”— ironed bootcut Wranglers with a pique polo shirt and a thick leather belt. Pops was a Land’s End polo shirt man, but he had a few Lacoste polo shirts too. He mixed Southwestern desert vibes with 80’s tennis preppy. The man had style!

Sporting my Grandpa Bill Hurst’s Western sport coat and bolo tie. Great for Sunday church services or when you’re solving a murder in a Cormac McCarthy novel. 

Repping my New Mexican heritage with the yellow Zia red sun t-shirt. Tucked-in, natch. Cowboy belt from Zilker.

It’s funny how life works. Here I am, channeling my dad’s 40-year-old style. Cat’s in the cradle, indeed.

A Few Thoughts On Ironing Jeans:

1. Stick to bootcut Wranglers. Ironing your jeans is a Western thing. Your straight-fit selvedge denim? Don’t iron them. Also, since you’re ironing your bootcut Wranglers, wear cowboy boots with them.
2. Iron them just like you would dress pants. See our extensive guide on how to iron pants. My mom recommended that you use a lot of steam to get that sharp crease in the jeans. I starched mine and liked the results. It might not be good for the fabric, but boy howdy does it provide a nice, crisp crease.
3. Dress high, medium, and low. Dress up your ironed jeans with a fancy Western shirt and sport coat, go Tom-McKay-business-casual with the pique polo, or take things down a notch with a tucked-in tee and a cool belt.

Want to shake up your style? Give ironed Wranglers a shot. They mean business.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

When you stop to think about it, eyebrows are pretty dang weird. On our otherwise smooth upper faces, we’ve got these two strips of hair that sit above our eyeballs.

One theory as to why we have eyebrows is that they keep rain and sweat from running into our eyes. But their primary purpose seems to be for communication; they convey the subtleties of our emotions. If eyes are the windows to the soul, eyebrows are the signposts to our mood.

As for my own eyebrows, I’ve got quite the set of thick and furry ones. Kate and my kids say that my brows, coupled with my Roman nose and serious demeanor, make me resemble Sam the Eagle from the Muppets. I’ll take that. Sam the Eagle has gravitas!

My thick, distinguished eyebrows seems to be a distinctive feature of my mom’s side of the family. A few years ago we went to a family reunion where Kate got to meet my aunts, uncles, and cousins. She observed that we all sported the same characteristically bushy over-eye fur. Must be a dominant gene.

I never had to maintain my thick eyebrows that much in my youth, but now that I’m in middle age, they can get pretty gnarly. As you get older, long-term exposure to hormones causes the follicles for your eyebrows, as well as those for nose and ear hair, to grow thicker and longer. 

Nowadays, if I don’t take care of my eyebrows, instead of looking distinguished, they get to looking like like big, furry, unsightly caterpillars. Consequently, I’ve had to start regularly trimming my brows.

If your eyebrows could similarly use a trim, here to show us how its done is none other than Sam the Eagle. It was only proper that he’d be our guide in the way of distinguished, dignified, well-groomed brows. 

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Thanks to its versatility, the t-shirt has been a style staple since the middle of the 20th century. You can exercise and do chores in a t-shirt, and you can also wear it as part of a smart casual get-up for a first date.

I love t-shirts. It’s what I wear most days working from home.

For most of my life, I never tucked in my tees.

Like many people my age, I thought tucking in your t-shirt was something that only your dad or the dorky kid at your school who had no fashion sense did.

Well, I don’t know if there’s something that happens in brain development when you hit 40, and turn into your father, but I’ve been tucking in my t-shirt a lot more these days.

And I’ll be damned; I think it can look pretty sharp in certain situations. Even if you’re not middle-aged or someone’s Pops.

Below, I offer some guidelines that I follow when tucking in my t-shirt so that the vibes it gives off are more 1950s Marlon Brando than 1990s Bugle Boy.

The Evolution of the Tucked-in T-Shirt

While we wear t-shirts as a regular piece of clothing these days, they were originally underwear. Because they were underwear, men would tuck their t-shirts into their briefs or boxers to create a seamless undergarment beneath their outer clothes.

During WWII, GIs would often remove their buttoned uniform top and just wear their undershirt with their uniform trousers. They kept their tee tucked in to maintain a clean, disciplined look even though they weren’t in full uniform.

After WWII, veterans continued to wear their undershirts with trousers while working around the house. They kept their t-shirts tucked in because, well, that’s how they’d done it during the Big One.

That’s how most men in the United States wore their tees from the 1950s onward: tucked in.

As time marched on and style became more casual in the U.S., more and more men stopped tucking in their t-shirts. Wearing their t-shirts untucked was a way to separate themselves from the more uptight generation of their parents. Contributing to the trend was the fact that fewer men served in the military after the Vietnam War, and thus didn’t get into the tucked-in tee habit while in the service.

There was a short resurgence of tucked-in t-shirts in the 1990s, but then it faded along with Beanie Babies.

You’re starting to see more people — particularly young people, of both sexes — tuck in their t-shirts again. A lot of it is driven by Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s nostalgia for the 1990s. My ten-year-old daughter tucks in her t-shirts (emblazoned with the Vans logo — didn’t see that resurgence coming either). She loves that “90s vibe.“ 

The Benefits of Tucking in Your T-Shirt

Since I started tucking in my tee more often, I’ve discovered three benefits to the practice:

A tucked-in tee accentuates your v-shape. Having the masculine v-shape — broad shoulders that taper to a narrow waist — is attractive. When you tuck in your t-shirt, you accentuate your v-shape; it gives definition to your waist and makes your shoulders look broader. 

A tucked-in t-shirt looks put-together. A tucked-in t-shirt provides a clean line between your torso and your legs. It looks a little sharper than an untucked tee, which bunches and wrinkles as it drapes over your waistband. When you tuck in your t-shirt, it looks like you mean business.

A tucked-in t-shirt is practical. Your untucked t-shirt can get snagged on things in your environment. When your t-shirt is untucked, you no longer have to worry about that. This is why I’ve even been tucking my t-shirts into my gym shorts when I work out. 

Guidelines for Tucking in Your T-Shirt

Get a properly fitting T-shirt. A t-shirt that is too big won’t look good tucked in. It will give you that early 1990s Bugle Boy dork look. You also don’t want to go too tight either. We’ve got the guidelines for proper fit here.

Note that a tucked-in t-shirt looks best on those with a fit physique. If you’ve got a paunch, a tucked-in tee will only accentuate it, and you’ll probably want to keep your shirt untucked. 

Keep it simple. Opt for t-shirts without prominent patterns, text, or busy designs. Go for simple stripes or a solid color. It will just look sharper. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever tuck in a graphic tee. I’ve got a few graphic tees that I tuck in occasionally, but the designs are simple.

Stick with long pants for your bottom garment. I’ve tried tucking in my t-shirt with a pair of khaki shorts and it didn’t look good. Too 1990s dad-ish. Stick with tucking your tees into long pants — jeans and chinos. The one exception for shorts that I make is when I’m working out. Tucking my tee into my shorty gym shorts makes me feel like a Golden Era bodybuilder. 

Layer with a jacket. Layering your tucked-in t-shirt is something that I like to do. It adds some depth and interest to your look. I like to wear a cotton field jacket when I tuck in my t-shirt. A jean jacket, chore coat, or unstructured blazer would work as well. 

Get a cool belt. Wearing a cool belt gives you an excuse to tuck in your t-shirt: you’re tucking in your tee so people can see your rad belt. My go-to belt when I tuck in my t-shirt is the Cowboy belt from Zilker (that’s what I’m sporting in the left pic above). I also like to rock a thicker, more traditional leather belt, which has a cool Thunderbird belt buckle that I found on eBay (right photo). Besides adding some visual interest to your tucked-in t-shirt fit, a belt also accentuates your waist a bit more, enhancing your v-shaped silhouette.  

Like I said above, I don’t tuck in my t-shirt all the time. But it’s nice to have it as a styling option to mix into my get-ups. Give it a try yourself, and see if it just might be one of those things that Dad got right.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.