Do men actually use shirt stays?

r/

I used to be a cadet as a teenager, and got the hang of using shirt stays. Wondering if other men use them. You know, the stretchy things you clip to your dress shirt and to your socks to hold the shirt down. Is this old school or are younger men using them?

Comments

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  2. Asparagus9000 Avatar

    Never seen anyone ever wear them except for dressing super fancy. And even then not very often. 

  3. thewNYC Avatar

    When I tell my shirt to stay, it doesn’t move. It’s a very good shirt.

  4. er824 Avatar

    Used em when I was wearing a uniform, not as a civilian though.

  5. YouShallNotStaff Avatar

    Never even knew this product existed

  6. Own-Helicopter-6674 Avatar

    Closet I get is suspenders

  7. catcat1986 Avatar

    I use them in the military. Only time I use them.

  8. PeterMus Avatar

    I use them for formal occasions. They keep your shirt tucked in tight and it makes a big difference if you’re moving around/bending over etc.

  9. ThoughtfulPoster Avatar

    Collar stays? Yes. Shirt stays? No.

  10. travelnman85 Avatar

    I used them when I wore suits but I haven’t worn a suit in almost 15 years at this point. I don’t really have a need for them with Hawaiian shirts and khakis pants.

  11. Critical-Bank5269 Avatar

    If I’m going to a formal
    Event(wedding, gala etc…) I wear shirt stays. But not for every day wearing a dress shirt and slacks.

  12. gallo-s-chingon Avatar

    I guess old-school. I’m Gen X. Whenever I wear a shirt that’s tucked, there’s something different that achieves the same goal. It’s a rubber belt with holes that alternate between being bent,puffed in, or out. You’d put the belt on over the dress shirt by the tails. Then put your pants on. The rubber belt’s holes grip the shirt and the pants.

    I had one handed down from my father until it disintegrated. I found one about 8 years ago at a pawn shop. no idea what it’s called. But shirt stay belt– just did a Google search, “shirt tailor rubber belt.”

    Easier to use, and stays put/works for about 15-20 years.

  13. Sooner70 Avatar

    Not even when I was in the military.

  14. mafiaman349 Avatar

    Got them for a wedding a few years back and now use them everytime I get dressed up. No more constant shirt tucking

  15. Public_Beef Avatar

    I hate when shirts come out, so yeah, I use them.

  16. itspeterj Avatar

    If my shirt does not stay when I move if I’m wearing formal wear I simply shoot my butler.

  17. Top-Time-2544 Avatar

    Too afraid it would come loose and snap me in the balls.

  18. HighOnGoofballs Avatar

    “Shirt stays” where I’m from we’re always the little white plastic things that kept the collar down. I’ve literally never sent be suspenders or whatever you’re talking about k. Even my 82yo dad or 104yo granddad (when he passed)

  19. CircadianRhythmSect Avatar

    Shirt stays for socks? I have a pair of sock garters that I like to break out for special dress occasions where I know I may also get some.

  20. InfinitelyAbysmal Avatar

    I used to use the ones attached to your feet but then I switched to fhe belt kind.

  21. TexasGrillDaddyAK-15 Avatar

    I used to wear shirt stays one time I had it snap off of my sock and made me jump in front of my co workers. I stopped wearing them. I keep metal collar stays handy.

  22. X-o0_0o-X Avatar

    My shirt stay is my boxer lmao

  23. haireesumo Avatar

    Yep. Used them all the time when I had to wear dress shirts for work. Even used them on some work Polos. The luxury of not having to retuck my shirt was much appreciated.

  24. SteakAndIron Avatar

    I use them for formal events where I’ll be wearing a suit for an extended period of time. I have a bit of a gut and my shirt comes untucked easily

  25. Parking_Fan_7651 Avatar

    Used too every time I put on dress uniforms. Now, I just put them on once or twice a year if I’m really dressing up. If I was working in a business casual office setting I would probably wear them.

  26. PartyLikeaPirate Avatar

    Outside of the military & being forced to? I’d say it’s extremely rare

    Stirrups were actually pretty nice

    If I had to wear dress clothes & look very nice a lot, I’d consider going back to them

    I don’t miss having bald spots where the metal adjustment piece sat on my leg & pulled hair out

  27. Brett707 Avatar

    Marines wear them when in their blues. I know a guy who put them on a little too tight and it popped off his sock and drilled him in the nuts.

  28. Hammerhil Avatar

    I was a cadet once too. Never used them then or in the military. The one thing that carried over for me was shiny shoes. If I’m dressing up my shoes will be shined.

  29. AaronB90 Avatar

    Knew a couple guys that used them in the us navy but they never seemed worth the hassle. Especially during my time in C school

  30. dbrmn73 Avatar

    I did when I was still in the military and wore my Blues.  Also did as a cadet in ROTC.

  31. Reddit____user___ Avatar

    Not familiar with the term at all.

    And I am NO spring chicken.

    So now I’m stumped and intrigued in equal measure.

  32. Single_Conclusion_53 Avatar

    Until this thread I never knew these existed.

  33. Gen_X_Xoomer Avatar

    I use them still.

  34. AvsFan777 Avatar

    As a tall skinny guy I wish I had found them sooner in life. Also the grippy waist for dress/business casual pants. So I didn’t always look like the Penguin with my shirt falling out. If it works, it’s not dumb or old. It just works.

  35. kalligreat Avatar

    My coworker called them strap ons, we all gave him a weird look. He’s late 30s so 🤷

  36. Moby1029 Avatar

    I too was once an NJROTC cadet. I never used them outside of my uniform. And I don’t plan on doing so. My back hurts too much.

  37. ClayMitchellCapital Avatar

    No. Low rise or no show socks and even pushed down tube socks back in the day. Couldn’t see many people wearing it who are not military/active duty.

  38. Dangerous-Pace-9203 Avatar

    It’s not something with everyday wear normally, unless you’re prone to shirts untucking regularly. Military use in dress uniforms to maintain the look without puffiness in the shirts. Used mostly in formal wear.

  39. Advanced961 Avatar

    I started recently, and I wish I knew they existed before!

    I find myself with shirt tucked in more often than not.

  40. Heynow85 Avatar

    Ha using them for the first time ever today for a wedding. Got sick of my dress shirts always becoming untucked so hopefully they will do the trick!

  41. werepat Avatar

    I only used shirt stays for the one Navy Service Uniform. I liked how they made me look good in the uniform for however long I wore it. But shirt stays are not a thing I’d ever choose to wear if I wasn’t putting on some sort of professional attire.

    They made me feel like a science experiment.

  42. LommyNeedsARide Avatar

    I don’t tuck in my shirt, so no.

  43. NickyDeuce Avatar

    I’m 42 and have never seen them worn

  44. Inevitable_Smoke2094 Avatar

    Collar stays: yes any & every time I wear a shirt.

    Shirt stays: Never

  45. Sidoen Avatar

    Yeah I’ve never heard of these at all.

    I’ve heard of weights in the seams at the bottom of the shirt but not this.

    Either would have been nice when I was wearing dress shirts.

  46. cdjcon Avatar

    “belt with suspenders” vibe

  47. Quixote511 Avatar

    I was a cadet as a teen too. I use shirt stays on very formal occasions, weddings, funerals, job interviews

  48. mrredbailey1 Avatar

    I have a set, but I don’t wear them. I keep forgetting I have them.

  49. Baldemyr Avatar

    I had to look it up in Google. I had never heard of such a thing

  50. DeepSouthDude Avatar

    I’m an old head, and started using them recently. I’m liking them with suits, but also with just shirt and pants.

  51. SquareVehicle Avatar

    I’ve never heard of this in my life but I have a feeling you’ve just changed it! I always have a ton of trouble with keeping shirts tucked in and this sounds amazing!

  52. funk-engine-3000 Avatar

    Not over 30, but enthusiastic about menswear.

    You don’t need shirt stays if your shirt has the right length. It should cover your ass when untucked, so it’s held in place. It’s made worse by a lot of men wearing their trousers way too low. I was at a galla recently and my shirt stayed in my trousers the whole night even after hours of dancing to 80’s pop.

    I use sock stays on formal occations. Mens trousers on modern suits ride up when sitting because of their cut, and i’m nog gonna be showing off a wrinkled sock scrunched up around my ancle. It looks a bit old fashioned, but also pretty classy in my eyes. And it prevents constantly having to pull your socks up.

  53. Supermac34 Avatar

    If your dress shirts are pulling out of your pants, it means your arm holes are cut too low at the shoulder. This is tough because most people don’t bother buying custom made shirts.

  54. rightwist Avatar

    Frankly it’s very very unusual circumstances where male attire is both formal wear and active wear. Basically most of society doesn’t combine the two. Military, police, correctional officer, and some military influenced academic pursuits including marching bands are the exceptions. Other than that, active wear and formal wear evolved in different directions and don’t overlap much. And short stays exist only in that overlap. Singlets as worn in many Olympian uniforms are an example of a different solution to the basic problem.

  55. roadbait Avatar

    I used them for my dress uniform with the fire department

  56. shaded_grove Avatar

    I use them for work. I’m rather thin, so I have a hard time keeping my button-up shirts tucked in. I also have to raise my arms frequently while working.

  57. Embarrassed_Flan_869 Avatar

    I had to look it up. Never heard the term.

    Now that I’ve seen it, no. God no. Heck no.

    Why would anyone?

  58. The666thMerrick Avatar

    I only knew of these because of my time in the military. Retired after 21 years and not once did I ever use them. Don’t plan on breaking my streak.

  59. xmadjesterx Avatar

    I have not, but I do use my sock garters because they’re fun, and I have these nifty magnetic collar stays that my former bar manager told me about. Those things are great. They give me a more professional look when I wear a shirt without buttons for the collar

  60. just_some_guy2000 Avatar

    Only when I wore a military dress uniform

  61. Dry_Yogurt2458 Avatar

    Is this an American thing? Because even in the UK military we never used these.

    There is something very bondage like about them, why don’t you just buy shirts that are long enough

    If you were getting undressed in front of somebody wearing these they would laugh you out of the bedroom.

  62. Over-Training-488 Avatar

    I’ve used shirt stays at work for a decade. Not sure why everyone is so against them here, they work great

  63. ID_Pillage Avatar

    Wore some for my wedding, was great not having to retuck

  64. turtlebear787 Avatar

    i’ve never used them and don’t know a single man that has.

  65. rockcanteverdie Avatar

    I’m 33 and recently started using them. I love it!

  66. RyanMcCartney Avatar

    This has to be a US thing. I’ve never ever seen this in the UK, and the thought of you lot attaching your shirt to your socks is hilarious!😂

  67. BigSherv Avatar

    I do. People also ask me how my shirts fit so well and how they don’t have big blow out in the the back with excess fabric.

  68. Purple-Mammoth1819 Avatar

    It just seems like a pain to undo when you have to use the bathroom.

    The fold and tuck method has worked pretty well for me

  69. kbeckerburbs4 Avatar

    I’m so confused right now and don’t know what is the right answer

  70. Proof-Radio8167 Avatar

    Who knew all these military men walk around wearing opposite suspenders

  71. judashpeters Avatar

    I used them for my last interview and I felt like a clown.

  72. Baldrich146 Avatar

    Not for regular clothes, but I do when I’m going somewhere and want to dress well. Was also a cadet at a regimented college and learned it there.

  73. Electronic_City6481 Avatar

    I actually got a sticky-ish elastic belt, wear it around your shirt, under your pants. It helped. I’m big, my shirts un-tuck all the time otherwise. I’d never do the shirt-to-sock suspender things

  74. texdroid Avatar

    Marines do.

  75. postmaster-newman Avatar

    I started using them recently and I can’t imagine not using them. But they don’t go to my socks. They wrap around my thighs.

  76. Anthrax6nv Avatar

    I first used them in police academy years ago…and I’ve worn them every time I’m in a suit ever since. Mostly because I positively loathe ironing, and shirt stays stretch the wrinkles out of the shirt so well no ironing is necessary.

  77. MagicManTX86 Avatar

    There were only 13 at the time?

  78. whboer Avatar

    I would like this tbh. Never heard of it before and dislike my non slim fit shirts escaping my pants.

  79. Rip_Hardpec Avatar

    Like Uncle Joe, I got hairy legs. Tried shirt stays once. Every step was like an epilator running up and down my legs.

    Never again.

  80. SpookiBeats Avatar

    I have some and I use them whenever I need to look sharp in a dress shirt!

    Once I found out they existed I was like fuck yeah this is awesome

  81. vege12 Avatar

    Never used them and I am 62

  82. Imaginary-Badger-119 Avatar

    Many men that have not been in military or police or grew up wearing suits or some dress uniforms do not know about them.. but yes i do when wearing a suit or dress shirt and tie

  83. ill-Temperate Avatar

    I dont know what this is lol

  84. Majic1959 Avatar

    Old school.

  85. DrShakyHandz Avatar

    Yes. I didn’t know they existed until I joined the military. After being a groomsman at multiple weddings it was actually noticed how I appeared in pictures compared to the other guys. All my guy friends use them now too. Only formal occasions though. Weddings. Classy work functions. Etc. it really does make a noticeable difference. Use the ones that wrap around your thigh, not the military ones that clip to your socks. Much more comfortable.

    I also highly suggest magnetic shirt collar stays and tie tabs. The tie tabs/tacs can be fun cause you can play with it a bit and show some personality with them. Similar to how women have a lot of jewelry to choose from. Plus it’s super functional. You’d be surprised how many times you’ll see men lean over while wearing a tie and it dips into food/drinks etc

  86. BlackMirror765 Avatar

    Only even heard about it because I knew some people at a military college.

  87. Bimlouhay83 Avatar

    I didn’t know what a shirt stay was until you described it. 

    I’ve never known tshirts to have those…

  88. Shwmeyerbubs Avatar

    I used them to hold my dress uniform shirts in, thats about it though.

  89. MT_Pocketss Avatar

    I’ve never heard of them but I definitely need them. At work I bend over a lot and my shirt tail comes out. Will this help a big boy like me with that?

  90. 247world Avatar

    You’re telling me there’s a gadget that clips to the bottom of my shirt and then I have to clip it to my socks? Are you kidding???

  91. cCueBasE Avatar

    I actually used them when I was a patrol officer and had to wear my dress uniform.

  92. crozinator33 Avatar

    I’m 40 and have never even heard of them.

  93. Itsumiamario Avatar

    Nah, I had to use them in the military and I hated them whenever I had to wear them. As soon as I got out of training and schooling I never used them again.

    After having been popped a few times and having my leg hair get snagged with almost every step I said screw it.

  94. AutomaticMonk Avatar

    Only when I was in the military. If you’re sitting and standing many times a day they can come in handy.

  95. Dangerous_Warthog603 Avatar

    You can tuck your shirt into your underwear but I just prefer to put my hands in my pockets and pull down on the shirt bottoms.

  96. First-Hotel5015 Avatar

    I used them when wearing Army Class A or B uniforms.

  97. CA_vv Avatar

    I started using them for my wedding when I got a tux and hated untucked shirts.

    Haven’t gone back and now I use them whenever I wear formal clothes.

  98. barricuda_barlow Avatar

    Bro I don’t even know what that is 😂

  99. Neverendingwebinar Avatar

    I used to wear them on my shirts in food service. It would keep my shirt snug through a 12 or 14 hour day without untuvking and prevented catching on stuff. I thought I looked more crisp.

    I wore them for 10 years in my 20s through late 30s as a casual dining manager. That was only a few years ago.

  100. SuperNova-81 Avatar

    Yes. Much cleaner look.

  101. sassysiggy Avatar

    I use the ones that go around your thigh instead of the socks.

  102. HandsInMyPockets247 Avatar

    Yep, I use them. I hate tucking my shirt every 5 minutes when I wear a button-up.

  103. Drash1 Avatar

    I bought some a couple years ago for formal wear (suits) and love them. No more blousing on the shirt. It stays tucked and you look better with them on. I don’t wear suits often, but when I do I always wear these shirt garters.

  104. titsmuhgeee Avatar

    Used them every time I wore my dress blues in the Air Force. 

    Haven’t used them after getting out. 

  105. slrrp Avatar

    I do. It changed my life.

  106. Junior-Appointment93 Avatar

    I have not used this since I got out of the marines

  107. rockmasterflex Avatar

    Nice try big shirt stay. 99% of the people here have never heard of this product before but now they have! Is your guerilla marketing working? Have sales gone from 1 per year to dozens in the past day?

  108. Splext Avatar

    If I’m going to an event that I will keep my shirt tucked in at, I use them. Really elevate appearance and gives me piece of mind that it stays tucked. Underrated in my opinion for smart/formal events

  109. Rich260z Avatar

    For dress events that I want to look snazzy in, sometimes.

    And when in uniform. Because I mostly have to then.

  110. Slicknutz_theDreg Avatar

    I never used them when I was in afjrotc but I fixed my shirt all the time cause if I was gonna wear the uniform I’m gonna try to look as sharp as can be and not like the ones who’s shirts were wrinkled hardly had any shine on there shoes, (btw to any antirotc peeps, I might of tried and did all the extra stuff I could do in the class but I didn’t have some chip on my shoulder like I hear people say and never seen it before but I tried because I enjoyed it, it made me a better man and I had plans to go directly into the military and that was free extra money basically

  111. OzTogInKL Avatar

    I’m 54 and never heard of such devices, not seen them in any store.

  112. unicyclegamer Avatar

    I use them every time I need to tuck in a shirt, which is essentially never besides like weddings.

  113. shotsallover Avatar

    I only use them when I’m wearing a suit.

    But also, I work in a casual dress environment. If I had to wear a dress shirt and dress pants, it’s likely I’d use them.

  114. Samad99 Avatar

    Yes that’s old school and guys don’t really use them any more.

    If you want your shirt to stay tucked in, there’s an easier trick. First tuck your undershirt into your underwear waistband, then tuck your shirt into your pants. The layering holds everything in place very well. Yes I know it sounds strange but this is the best way to do it without risking a slingshot to your balls.

  115. Cockfield Avatar

    i tried them for a while, but they are a bit uncomfortable.

  116. jchesticals Avatar

    Never knew that existed but no i won’t be using it 

  117. NocturnisVacuus Avatar

    never knew what this was!

    cool, but no I don’t see the point if you have shirts that fit

  118. Borndeadin1992 Avatar

    As a fat dude, whenever I’m at a formal occasion, I wear shirt stays and suspenders. Was wierd at first but the comfort wins by long margin.

  119. EternalLifeguard Avatar

    I didnt know that went to your shirt. Ive seen them attached to socks and assumed they attached to boxers like a garter belt.