Calling it “French” adds all the connotations of Gainsbourg-ian bohemian sloppiness. This half-ass tuck seems related to the ideal of men’s fashion: to look great but not perfect, which risks looking like you tried too hard. But the French tuck is the kind of “styling tip” that works better for a photo shoot, when you’re generally facing a camera, than for real life, when you’re in three dimensions most or all of the time. Tucking your shirt all around, especially when wearing jeans or dressing very casually, can feel fussy or dressed up. For a bigger guy, tucking in a shirt at the front can give you a more defined waist than leaving it untucked, and if it “blouses” a little it can minimize the appearance of belly. And I don’t like it.įrance has said it can make a guy look more balanced, and I understand why it should work. It’s the shirt equivalent of a mullet: business up front, party in the back. His signature, though, has become the “French tuck.” No matter a guy’s build or style, France seems to recommend they tuck in the front of their shirt and leave the back loose. For most guys, he recommends slimmer, more structured clothing that flatters, often including printed shirts, which I like. In my judgment, he’s done a reasonably good job helping men on the show - for whom, for various reasons, style is not a priority - find out what works for them. QE’s current expert is Tan France, an English guy with tremendous hair who had previously worked for Zara and had his own line of womenswear. (It’s a word, sort of.) That is, add some personality–akin to what we’ve sometimes referred to as a point of distinction. Regarding style, original Queer Eye style expert Carson Kressley (who had been a stylist for Ralph Lauren before TV) made it his signature to add some “zhuzh” to a guy’s wardrobe. Design expert Bobby Berk seemingly remodels entire homes in a day or two food expert Anton Porowski toasts some bread or something. The experts show up and improve his life in every way, often leading up to a decisive moment in life - for example, proposing to a partner or coming out of the closet. A guy is too busy or otherwise focused to spend sufficient time or money on his living space, lifestyle, diet, grooming, and (here’s where I have opinions) style. The reboot has earned praise for adding some emotional heft to the general arc. I’ve really enjoyed the two new seasons of the show, relocated to the Atlanta area with a new cast of experts brought in to elevate some poor schlub every episode. It may have spurred the much-maligned “metrosexual” moment, but it did a lot to make everyday dudes feel better about paying some attention to how you dress, taking care of yourself, and living in the waning era of lad mag boorishness. Don’t underestimate the cultural significance of the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which aired back in 2003.

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