Researching a trend at Old Navy

54 Comments

1. I agree with you about the forgetful look! I tried the “half-tucked” look one day at work with a similar button down shirt. One of my most stylish, and much younger male colleagues, came over to me to let me know my shirt had come untucked! So that also was not a successful look for me. By the way, thought you looked great in the striped top, nice style and colors!

2. You made me laugh this morning, Janis. Thanks for sharing!

3. I don’t think it looks forgetful on you, just casual. I think this trend depends on the particular shirt and the person; on some this could look as though the shirt is too small at the waist or hips.
   I prefer the half-tucked trend to this however.

4. I do think it helps for the shirt to fit well. Thanks for sharing this morning!

5. Unbuttoned at bottom and top? Yikes. I’m on the Ocean/bay and it does get windy ( everyday nearly)! I don’t think ill be trying this- its asking for trouble! Lol.
   Love the coral V-neck sweatshirt! Pretty!

6. I’m with you, and do not care for this trend. I clicked through all the choices of the boyfriend shirt, and noticed that unbuttoned shirts always appeared with a hand in a pocket to keep the shirttail pulled back on one side. If you walk around with a hand in your pocket or on your hip, I suppose it’s a different look, but who does that? I never adapted to the front tuck with back untucked, and will not follow this trend of half unbuttoned. This reminds me of trying to “pop” my collar and my Bill usually walking up behind me to “help me” with my collar, laying it down like a man’s shirt collar. Again, as you always say, you must feel comfortable in your clothes and leaving my buttons unbuttoned is not for me.

7. Not for me! I will wear mine in the traditional way—partially buttoned with a tank showing, totally buttoned, or open. I just don’t like the half tuck or the unbuttoned at the bottom. Looks like your shirt won’t button over your belly!

8. Oh, boy, the comment section today is priceless! You are so good at spotting trends—I’ve seen this look, but it didn’t sink in. I would give it a try.

9. It may be that this trend might look better on someone with a different body shape. Perhaps someone with a smaller bust and larger hips to give a more A-line look. ????

10. That sweatshirt is so soft…it will be a favorite during the cooler weather. I also thought YIKES and it was a windy day that I decided to go test this. Thanks Paulette.

11. Nor for me…just feels like a messy mistake! Thanks for the observation on the hand in pocket.

12. It did not feel right in the dressing room…thanks Nyla.

13. Let me know what you think, Kim. When I see a style or design that is repeated in several places it usually captures my attention.

14. Perhaps…I did wonder if body type makes a difference. It just might. Thanks Linda.

15. I have worn a striped shirt with only one or two buttons fastened but ONLY over a tank or tee so it looks more like a jacket. I don’t think I could pull it off without something underneath. Great deals at Old Navy, though, so thanks for the tips!

16. I was amazed at the Old Navy deals and the quality seemed good…so far anything I have from Old Navy has washed well. I like my workout clothes from there. My only issue is that this store was very messy and it was difficult to locate some things. I found the sweatshirt on a random clearance rack not in the right size. Make sure you leave yourself some time to go through the racks…but the prices are worth it.

17. Clearly I’m in the minority, but I have been wearing my shirt this way for casual occasions all summer. One of my adjectives is interesting, and some style tricks help, with the bonus that they don’t cost anything. This week, in fact, to go to the dermatologist, I wore a Chicos coral linen shirt unbuttoned top and bottom, with slim white jeans. I don’t really wear boyfriend shirts and could see where they might move around too much, but my relaxed but more tailored one looked a little too structured otherwise. With it, I wore a necklace I made with tiny copper crystals and a large costume pearl at the throat. I did get compliments and nobody tried to fix me (I cracked up at the posts this morning!). I think the unbuttoning gives versatility, taking a tailored look into elevated, relaxed casual. After our scarf discussion recently, I pulled out a couple of bandanas that I think would look great at that open throat, but haven’t worn them because the heat index is over 100, something we don’t take in stride in northern Ohio! I have that striped Old Navy shirt you bought. It’s been an ok piece, especially for the price, but it’s not a fave, because it goes so limp. I think it’s perfect for the unbuttoned look because it’s not crisp and therefore really reads casual for me. I usually wear wooden beads at the throat with that one. I always roll up my sleeves when unbuttoning. I think it makes it look more intentional.

18. This look is not for me, but I guess some ladies could pull it off. I do like the style of a cardigan with the bottom button left open, if it is long enough. Thanks for keeping us up to date. I need all the help I can get. 😁

19. I have not seen anyone here wearing the unbuttoned look but imagine people would say I forgot to button my shirt! I don’t think that look is for me,

20. Trying a trend in a dressing room & taking photos is a good way to check it out. I sometimes do this and text the photo to my husband. He can’t shop with me in person but he’s happy to give me constructive feedback. If he says “This doesn’t say Kathie” I know to put it back on the rack. This sentence you wrote stood out to me: “Here you are looking at the trend at Old Navy and other retailers.” I have seen this styling trend on many websites and catalogs along with one that shows a partially unbuttoned shirt tucked in on one side and hanging long on the other. And on certain retails sites the model’s midriff or even navel is always showing. But I have never seen a real person actually wearing a shirt either way. Maybe it something the teens embrace or is popular in other parts of the country? Or is it just something that the retail company stylists like to do because it showed up on big name designer’s runway shows? I’m curious. I see the half-tuck on others and it can look nice. I tried it and it’s not a good look on me. That popover shirt will be comfortable on the hottest days. I’m wearing one now. Not my most polished look but so cool and comfortable around the house & year. Stay as cool as possible.

21. I never button the bottom button of my shirts, and usually leave the top two buttons open too, depending on the shirt and its collar. I think if you leave three undone at the bottom, it just looks like you forgot. My husband would remind me to button three, but he’s used to one! 🙂
    I like the stripe shirt, Old Navy is a good place to go to dabble in trends and keep it real.

22. Linda! I am so glad to read another voice. Thanks for sharing how you wear the unbuttoned look.

23. Happy to help in any way that I can, Marcia.

24. I felt that way, but I am happy to read one comment from Linda who likes the style. We are all unique and this has been a great discussion.

25. I have not noticed it on others as well, but since Linda shared that she wears it, I might be more aware to look for it now. I will report back if I begin to see more women wearing the style.

26. I thought so too…I knew I could take several sizes into the dressing room to see what I thought about the trend. It was fun just focusing on the trend …and then finding a couple of clearance pieces I liked.

27. I have never been a fan of the half tuck shirt. I think it looks very unattractive and I feel the same about leaving that many buttons undone on a shirt. I do however like the shirts you modeled from Old Navy,so cute! ☺️

28. Thanks for sharing, Denise. When I try on a trend, I need it to look natural on me and something that resonates with my personal style. Neither the half tuck nor this unbuttoned trend felt natural to me. I am glad I tried them, but for me, they are a no….like you.

29. I own and wear tailored shirts; I prefer ones that have darts and are more fitted. They don’t have to be closely fitted but the more baggy looks are not flattering on me. Often I will unbutton the top and/or bottom button; it depends on the fit and style of shirt. The half tuck never appealed to me; especially the side to side look.

30. I don’t think the screenshot/model is attractively styled. I would have a belt with the jeans so the viewer gets the hint of a waist, which adds shape.
    Oversized button front shirts can look shapeless. If you don’t like a half-tuck or a tied off bottom then the loose tail is good. I think if you are doing this look it’s close enough to a blouse/jacket look that you will need a tank under the shirt. That means you could button even fewer buttons knowing you’re covered.

    It looks to me like the coral shirt is a different cut or size than the tan/white striped shirt. I like the fit of the coral better. If you sit down in the coral shirt with all the buttons done it’s going to pull across your lap, so even though we can’t see your waist in that styling I think it’s going to look better in the baseball stand.

31. Thanks for sharing Linda.

32. Thanks for thinking it through, Rose!

33. I think that the classic in me exclaims “No, no!” and the casual in me says “Two on the top, one on the bottom “ is just fine. If I were a toned, slim teenager? Maybe!

34. I do leave a couple of buttons undone at the top and one at the bottom if the shirt isn’t cropped. I sure don’t want my navel showing and it is always breezy here in the mountains. But my bra is covered and I never tuck half of my shirt. That is just a runway stunt as is the bare navel and cleavage showing. One hand in pocket seems to be a photo opt look in catalogs, always on skinny tall and young models. On the street, haven’t seen it once. I have the bottom button undone so I can sit and not wrinkle my shirt. The top one or two undone is for comfort in the heat. If I had more undone it would be with a tank top underneath. Then it is a third layer. I have quite a lot from Old Navy and love the ease of comfort and the affordability of their clothes. I’m wearing a cotton gauze peach striped white cropped top right now with grey shorts. My white ones are in the wash. It was a comfortable dog walk early this morning at about 75 degrees and a light northern breeze. Heavenly! We are getting a couple of days break from the heat. Old Navy has been my friend this summer in providing comfortable and affordable clothes for this very hot summer. I’m 80, not 18 and though I’m fortunate enough to have a slimmer figure, it would be downright silly for me to bare my middle and my cleavage. My husband would give me a side eye and ask me what I am selling!

35. lol! Not me either!

36. I think my husband would hate it! He would do more than a side eye! Thanks Sydney!

37. As some of the other ladies do, I also undo two buttons at the top and one at the bottom. Rarely, but sometimes, I might leave two undone at the bottom if the shirt is long. I do this with cardigan sweaters as well, often if my shirt, tank, etc. is tucked in.

38. I too had a good laugh at Janis’s co-worker’s comment on her attempt at a half tuck! I admire the look, but have never been able to pull it off. This makes me think that I should give up on that trend. I wonder if the 3 button look just started in marketing as a modeling pose to display how an oversized shirt would look when worn in different ways, i.e. tucked, half tucked or as is. I love your purchases, Pam! I’ve only recently become an Old Navy fan. I just found a linen blend shirt dress I know I will wear often and two of my favorite closet items came from the clearance rack, one being my comfiest pair of straight jeans. I sometimes like their graphic tees. Before a trip to Venice, I found one with a canal pic and the words’ Enjoy the Journey”. At the last minute, I decided against packing it. On our first day in the Piazza I saw three ladies (sisters) who were traveling together wearing that tee. We shared a laugh when I told them I knew where they had shopped!

39. I will usually leave the button at the collar & the next one unbuttoned on my shirts but don’t think I would leave the bottom ones undone for the reason you noted that it looks as if they were missed. I am not a fan of the half tuck look either because to me it looks unfinished. Over the past year, I have become a fan of Old Navy for casual wear. Their sales are outstanding, & their tees are very soft & comfy. All the items I’ve purchased have washed well for easy care.

40. You tee story is so funny, Mary!! I bet those tees go around the world!

41. Thanks for sharing, Maeve. I bet more will do this after today.

42. Wow! A great topic.

    I personally like to sometimes wear my shirts unbuttoned as you describe. I also like a half tuck or even a fake half tuck with certain outfits. But I find that the look is determined by the individual pieces.

    The unbuttoned look is great, I think, over tights or leggings or very slim pants—especially if the pants are high waisted. As so many readers have noted here, the shirt should be sufficiently roomy that there’s no sense that the garments are too tight. I also think this look works well over workout clothes if you want to run an errand after the gym and want a little coverage. (I know some people love the big shirt over e we use pants but that doesn’t really work for me.)

    I love a half tuck too, but I never tuck in at the front. Instead I tuck from the side toward the front, stopping an inch or two shy of center. This leaves the tummy area covered but also hints at a waist either a glimpse of the belt. (This may actually be a 1/4 or 1/3 tuck.)

    I also like a fake tuck either way these big shirts. Select a side. Then fold up this side to a length that seems right. Secure with a piece or two of 2-sided fabric tape. Even a tiny little tuck here creates shape an interest.

    Pam—I love your blog and read it regularly. Thank you!

43. Thanks Becky…I second that mine have washed well too.

44. Excellent information, Deborah! Thank you for being here and sharing.

45. I think the undone buttons read French. To me, the look says I’m casual, comfortable in my clothes and not afraid to be a little bit sexy. I love a good button down and would wear it like this as long as my stomach didn’t show. That would not be an attractive look.

46. I like how you approached this, Lily. Thank you for sharing!

47. This is not a trend that I’ve noticed here, but after reading this post and the comments, I went to my closet and tried it with two different shirts. Here’s what I discovered… I always leave the top two buttons undone on both shirts. With the more fitted one, I might consider leaving the bottom two undone, but with the looser one, it just looked messy. If I did decide to wear the fitted shirt this way, I would roll the cuffs and I definitely wouldn’t leave more than two bottom buttons undone. At 72, showing off my midriff is a no go!

48. I think I will leave this trend for the younger gals. The take home tops you purchased are just right.

49. This made me smile. I actually wore come casual wide leg pants and a boxy gauze top today with the bottom two open. Pants are high waisted so all covered for sure! Just made a little shape with the flow of outfit. We started back this week with school registration, in North Mississippi we begin school August 1st so easy and comfort is the name of the game! Love your blog at the end of a long and busy day.

50. Nor for me…too much to see there! Thanks Elaine!

51. Thank you, Audrey.

52. Half tuck looks SILLY on everyone…

53. Thanks for stopping by, Cara. I know there are others that think it looks good on some…I try to always encourage everyone to pick what they think works best for them personally.

54. Absolutely ridiculous
    Tuck it in

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