Forget the Front Tuck—The Gen Z Side Tuck Is Taking Over

While I wholeheartedly back the saying, "the older, the wiser," I also believe we can always learn a thing or two from the generations below us. As of late, the zeitgeist has been taking a lot in from Gen Z: the viral new pout, the obsession with all things Y2K, the mini heart fingers seen countless times on Love Island, to name a few. Of the lessons from the younger generation (how old will I sound if I say "the youths"?), one our editors are implementing immediately is the side-tuck trend. It's replaced the millennial front tuck—for the better!—offering an option that brings shape to even the frumpiest oversized t-shirt.

This trend emerged out of pure necessity, tastemaker and Substack author, Ro Brahmand tells Coveteur, "I've never been a huge fan of the traditional front tuck because it’s so fabric-heavy and leaves a lot of excess fabric sitting on the outside of the waistband," she says. "The side tuck almost does the opposite. It pulls the excess fabric in rather than leaving it out, creating shape where you want it."

If you haven't seen the side-tuck yet, let us explain. Unlike the millennial front tuck, where you wedge the front of your top into your waistband, the side tuck is all about bringing fabric upwards to the side. The choice is yours on how to do so; some prefer to tuck the edge of a t-shirt into the bottom of their bra—which we refer to as a bra tuck— while others (Brahmand included) use a safety pin to fold the shirt up on the side and secure it all day. "The bra tuck worked until I started moving around," Brahmand explains, "That’s when I started experimenting with a safety pin, and it’s honestly been the perfect solution."

According to Brahmand, it's a simple two-step process. First, you take the bottom hem of your top and pin it on one side. Brahmand likes to grab the fabric right near her hip bone. Then, bring the pin up to wherever you want—this depends on how much skin you want to show. And voila! You've executed the perfect side tuck.

The best part? The side tuck is in your back pocket whenever you feel like your look needs a little bit of umph. "This simple adjustment can make an entire look feel more put together and even out proportions," celebrity stylist Morgan Greer Lipsiner says. "If this hack makes you feel more confident in your clothes, I'm behind it!"

To get started, Brahmand recommends starting with thinner fabrics because "they let the fabric fall naturally." From there, the world is your oyster: vintage tees, camisoles, and even knits can all be tucked away. If you're looking to add even more personality to your side-tuck look, Lipsiner recommends grabbing your favorite brooch instead of a safety pin. It'll elevate the style even further and give you a new way to wear your favorite heirloom.