I wasn't going to say anything. No, not me. I was going to keep this tucked away.
After all, the issue on my mind is a trend in men's fashion. And, as we know, fashion trends, like those we feature this issue ("Sets & the City"), do come and go. One day, we're all wearing shoes without socks, the next we're all wearing, well, blisters.
It's dangerous for me to even weigh in on fashion. Most days, I pull things out of my closet in the dark, slip them on, start out the door…and hear these helpful words of advice:
"You're going out like that?''
"Yes.''
"Really?''
I know my limitations. I know I have limited fashion cred.
But it's been six years since The New York Times noted the trend in men's fashion that I still find troubling today, and I can't keep this question to myself any more:
Why are men wearing their shirts untucked?
Did I miss a memo? A movement? A mandate?
There was a story (July 20, 2004), but the Times treated the untucked trend almost as a fad. Something temporary - something you might see Jake Gyllenhaal, Orlando Bloom or Spike Jonze wearing on the red carpet. A look those guys could pull off, but not really for anyone else.
Now, six years later, the untuck continues to spread unchecked. I see it at parties, on yachts, in high-end boutiques, in hotel lobbies, in banks, Broadway musicals, brunches. I see it on people who look nothing like Jake Gyllenhaal, Orlando Bloom or Spike Jonze.
I see it on people who look like they pulled things out of the closet in the dark that morning, slipped them on, and started out the door without the benefit of some helpful advice.
Well, here it is: An untucked shirt looks unfinished, unprofessional, even slovenly. I don't know much about fashion, but I know that much.
What's happened to us? When I was growing up, everybody was tucked in. When you went to a family gathering or dinner or even a recreational event, you went tucked. It was more than a sign that you were put together; it was a sign of respect.
There were even penalties for not tucking in – and not just in my family. Ball players who weren't tucked were benched. Politicians who weren't tucked were usually on their way to rehab. The only professionals who'd go to work untucked were clowns.
Clowns!
Oh, I've heard the excuses. It's hot here, and I want to stay comfortable. Really? We move from air-conditioned houses to air-conditioned cars to air-conditioned businesses and back. It's slimming. Really? So is a gym. It's my way of rebelling against the corporate culture. Really? Rebelling against what – the way you dressed the day you first interviewed for the job? (Nobody looks for a job untucked).
I was about to conclude this rant when Fashion Editor Rod Hagwood helpfully noted that Jake Gyllenhaal had appeared at recent press previews for Prince of Persia with his shirt tucked in. He wasn't wearing a tie – let's not go crazy here – but he had a nice jacket over it, too.
So there's hope?
"Young guys are tucking in again,'' Rod said. "The Jonas Brothers, Usher, Taylor Lautner, Zac Efron. Maybe it's the influence of Mad Men with fashion designers and the runways.''
Really?
Or maybe they're finally listening to some helpful words of advice.
—Mark Gauert
