Tucked and untucked - tackling the short waist!

Just yesterday I was working out whether or not to tuck my top into my pants, so I took photos to help me decide which looked best (was flattering to my eye). There was enough contrast between the patterned top and solid coloured bottoms that a line of demarcation was visible between the two (#1-2). What I’m wearing today has even more contrast (#3-4).

I’m short waisted with long legs and a long rise and there is only 6-8 inches difference between my ‘waist’ and bust/hip measurements. I like an exaggerated long leg look when I’m wearing long wide leg trousers, flares, or boot cuts - and will tuck my top in those instances, however most of the time I feel ‘balanced’ using styling ‘tricks’ to elongate my torso and shorten my leg line.

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3 years ago

Anonymous

The contrast makes a big difference!
When it's cold enough for pants, I'll see about tucking into my wide legs. It's just more comfortable with skirts cause the top can be tucked easier.

I like the first outfit with the top tucked , and the second outfit with the top left out . Just my first glance reaction ….

Suzanne

Active Member

What a great case study! Which do you prefer?

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Suzanne - untucked!

Mainelady

Oooh! I love the dark jeans! I think you look great in all pics, but slightly prefer the untucked look. So, here is a question for you. What do you think of semi tucked, or just barely front tucked with a belt, allowing most of the fabric to remain untucked? That seems to be my go to styling if I think the proportions look a bit off.

@ Mainelady - besides my inability to master the semi tuck, all my bottoms are high waisted, and not conducive to that styling trick.

Bonnie

The untucked versions look best to me but that's the look I prefer for myself so I may not be the best judge. The tucked versions are fine, too.

chewyspaghetti

I had the same reaction as Lisa.

Jenni NZ

I’m with Bonnie-also possibly skewed because I way prefer untucked on myself.

Helena

I tend towards was Lisa said and I think it might be the contrast as you point out ... The first reads column of colour esque ...

But more importantly, fab that you know what YOU like and feel good in!

rachylou

Interesting to me is that the high contrast tuck widens/shortens you visually whereas the lower contrast outfit does the opposite. It may also have something to do with the necklines. Not crazy wide or anything! It all looks good, just comparatively side by side.

kellygirl

What Lisa said. I love the both top both ways. The second one, I'm partial to untucked but I think it's more about contrast on that one.

bj1111

the untucked versions would work untucked, but need to be shorter by a handspan or so.

slim cat

With @lisa p on the preferences - usually I’m tucking with skirts and work pants. Lovely outfits - love the white jeans and navy printed top ( wish I can do it - still looking for summer jeans ).

Liz

Exactly what Lisa said. I'm sure there's a reason, but I don't know why.

Sal

my gut reaction is similar to Lisa although I think with the low contrast both looks are excellent.

With the white pants I do prefer the top tucked. I think it is because of the horizontal lines and the proportions.

Joy

Team short waisted reporting. If I need to wear a top tucked, I tuck then pull a bit up to hang over the waistband or wear a medium to wide belt that matches the color of the top.

I like your untucked outfit best.

Star

I like top with the dark jeans in and out, and the the top with the white ones out more. Interesting! I am also short waisted and hardly ever tuck.

Jaime

(website)

Agree with Star. I am hard pressed to pick a favorite with the first outfit. The second one is also close - I wonder what would happen if you added a darker belt to the tucked version, moving your torso down a notch.

Roxanna

I echo Lisa too. But wow, I just noticed that your legs go on for miles! what a svelte figure you cut

lyn67

I think you can do both ways with confidence!! BUT, I somehow love the untucked ones best here, too-maybe cause I just never tuck:-)---but I have my fair reasons which is not your case I think! (I have to desquise a tummy, a flat rear and an occasional bad posture due to posterior pelvis tilt).

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Great visuals, Carla!

I think high and low contrast accentuate lines and proportions.

So in outfit #1 - low contrast top and bottom de-emphasize a shorter waist when tucked.

In outfit #2 - the high contrast top and bottom emphasize the shorter waist when tucked.

Janet

I’m late to this, but as someone with similar height and length proportions (but a bit larger and curvier than you are), I am quite sensitive to these proportion questions. I think the tucked version works better when it is low-contrast, as in the first outfit. The second one looks much better untucked, to my eye. But I feel like it’s easier to do a tuck on a short torso with an athletic, less curvy build like yours — on me, the extra curves at bust and hips only exaggerate the shortness of my waist, rise, and overall torso. I think you can wear any of these successfully, but I prefer the low-contrast looks the best when tucking.

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