You wake up in the morning, dress as smart as you can and head for office, expecting heads to turn. As the day progresses, a friend comes and whispers, ‘Sebo, this shirt is not supposed to be tucked in.’

Slightly embarrassed but grateful nonetheless, you un-tuck it, and for the rest of the day the creased line across your torso is a reminder of your lack of ‘fashion sense’ Question is, which shirts should be tucked and which ones shouldn’t?

When buying a shirt the vendor can advise whether or not the shirt should be tucked in. It also requires selectively talking to someone well versed with fashion.

Atanasi Kabatsi, owner of Boutique Authetique, a shop located in the heart of Kigali town stocks shirts, trousers, jackets and other adult clothes. He explained that sometimes from appearance you can know when a shirt should be tucked in or not.

"There are those shirts that are ‘bitenge’ and therefore can’t be tucked in. Shirts that are tucked in are split at both lower ends (at the end of the lower line parallel to the sleeves). They can be either long or short sleeved.”

There are collarless shirts that can be compared to traditional wear for men called ‘Imicyenyero’- white overalls. He said that often are not to be tucked in.

At Millennium Shop in Remera, Fidel Niyomutabazi has been in the business of selling shirts for four years. He explains that regardless of the kind of shirt, some people choose never to tuck in.

So sometimes it is not that people don’t know the style but are simply opposed to for personal styles. However, Theophile of New Style Boutique in Remera says that sometimes tucking in a shirt depends on its size.

"Some are small and can be left out but others are big and should be left out,” he said. He however makes an exception of those that are split at the lower ends.

Generally, boutique owners advised that the buyer should first establish their preferences, and when in doubt, ask the experts to avoid embarrassment.

Ends