# Is it tacky/unattractive to have skin visible between shirt and pants? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 14, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901 "2011-05-14T15:08:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/21 "2011-05-15T11:56:33Z")
Even casually, I think it looks tacky unless it looks deliberate. Don’t just show 1/8 inch, nor wear something that only shows when you raise your arms and constantly pull it down to make it fit. Both of those just look like you couldn’t buy fitting clothes. If you want the style, embrace it. Also, while you don’t have to be toned, it does not generally look good if you have a muffin top and are wearing low rise pants. The only reason I say “generally” is that there is a bit of leeway on what a muffin top is (I would not call [this](http://nwso.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sexy-muffin-top-.jpg) a muffin top), and because it’s okay if you can [hide it completely with an over shirt](http://imageshack.us/f/153/88871513.jpg/), leaving only a small bit hanging out in the front. A little belly is sexy and acceptable. Stuff hanging out the back or drooping over the side is not. And, yes, don’t show your butt crack. That should go without saying. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/22 "2011-05-15T12:02:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > [this](http://nwso.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sexy-muffin-top-.jpg) Wow, she’s got beautiful hips. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/23 "2011-05-15T12:20:11Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Wow, she’s got beautiful hips. Exactly. Hips are not a muffin top. But the title is of the image is “sexy-muffin-top-.” ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/24 "2011-05-15T12:42:59Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Exactly. Hips are not a muffin top. But the title is of the image is “sexy-muffin-top-.” Hips in and of themselves are not a muffin top, no. But that bit of hip flesh that hangs over the waistband because you insist on wearing your pants halfway down said hips and so they have to dig in to keep from falling down _is_ a muffin top. It makes even fit, toned women look chubby and imho isn’t attractive on anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/25 "2011-05-15T12:59:08Z")
I always think you should wear what you want, but you should dress your age. No matter how nice your body is, you just look silly if you’re dressing like a teenager. But that said, if you REALLY like something, wear it, so what if you look a bit silly as long as you like it. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/26 "2011-05-15T13:26:44Z")
The style i see constantly is one tight t-shirt down past hips/butt that is sat on, and another t-shirt over top that is shorter. I am your age, and well, I am definitely not in shape to wear midriff revealing clothes, but in general, no its not a good idea. I am with the one poster who said if you are going with that look embrace it, have several inches showing so it doesn’t look like you shrunk your laundry. Meanwhile I am worried about showing ankle at work…I guess these threads are a sign of nice weather on the way. ---
**Author:** ![xoferew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e9a140/32.png) [@xoferew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xoferew)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/27 "2011-05-15T20:43:51Z")
Okay, thanks for the input. It sounds like the consensus is either “don’t do it” or “do it if you don’t care that you look weird.” I don’t show much skin in general, both from preference, and because I burn easily, so I almost always wear long pants and long sleeves. I don’t know if that makes a bit of visible tummy better or worse. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/28 "2011-05-15T20:46:13Z")
> [@xoferew](#): > > Okay, thanks for the input. It sounds like the consensus is either “don’t do it” or “do it if you don’t care that you look weird.” I don’t show much skin in general, both from preference, and because I burn easily, so I almost always wear long pants and long sleeves. I don’t know if that makes a bit of visible tummy better or worse. What do you mean by visible? Visible when you stand still in front of the mirror with your arms to your side, or visible in flashes when you are walking/swinging your arms? ---
**Author:** ![xoferew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e9a140/32.png) [@xoferew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xoferew)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/29 "2011-05-15T21:23:06Z")
Hm, right now I am standing still, wearing a belt, and the only visible skin is in front, where the weight of my belt buckle I guess weighs down the front of the pants less than an inch. Now… when I take off the belt… _checking_ I’m seeing about an inch to an inch and a half all the way around. It doesn’t seem to change that much when I swing my arms. My stomach is not delightfully toned, but it’s not hanging over my waistband in any way. I was about 20 pounds overweight for years, and last year I lost the weight, so I guess that may play into why I’ve been letting a bit of tummy show. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/30 "2011-05-15T22:08:13Z")
Well, I’d try reaching for something, turning around and bending over for something and otherwise contorting yourself to make sure you continue to like the way it looks… I know I have on several occasions worn tops that I thought were plenty long enough in the mirror and then ended up flashing more than I would have intended when actually living in my clothes. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/31 "2011-05-15T22:37:08Z")
> [@xoferew](#): > > Hm, right now I am standing still, wearing a belt, and the only visible skin is in front, where the weight of my belt buckle I guess weighs down the front of the pants less than an inch. Now… when I take off the belt… _checking_ I’m seeing about an inch to an inch and a half all the way around. It doesn’t seem to change that much when I swing my arms. My stomach is not delightfully toned, but it’s not hanging over my waistband in any way. > > I was about 20 pounds overweight for years, and last year I lost the weight, so I guess that may play into why I’ve been letting a bit of tummy show. That does sound surprisingly short. I guess if you’ve lost a lot of weight, it’s going to take a while to get used to how to dress your changed body. Maybe try shopping at a few different places? One of those shops for tall women might help if nowhere else does. That’s only if you’re that bothered about it - it looks kinda inappropriate, but not on the ‘kids will laugh and grannies will faint’ level, at least not out of the office. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/32 "2011-05-15T23:21:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Is it tacky/unattractive to have skin visible between shirt and pants? It is if it’s MY skin. Jus sayin’, I couldn’t pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/33 "2011-05-15T23:55:10Z")
> [@xoferew](#): > > Okay, thanks for the input. It sounds like the consensus is either “don’t do it” or “do it if you don’t care that you look weird.” I don’t show much skin in general, both from preference, and because I burn easily, so I almost always wear long pants and long sleeves. I don’t know if that makes a bit of visible tummy better or worse. IMO if you’re relatively well-covered elsewhere (no cavernous cleavage, arms and legs covered) a bit of skin around the mid is not really anything horrific. Go how you feel comfortable, TBH. Haters gonna hate no matter what you do. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/34 "2011-05-16T05:08:03Z")
Another point is that sometimes showing just a little sliver of skin is sexier than letting it all hang out. ---
**Author:** ![coreywest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@coreywest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coreywest)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/35 "2013-11-06T01:13:41Z")
hi what your name ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/36 "2013-11-06T02:38:08Z")
> [@coreywest](#): > > hi what your name You joined the board to hit on someone who hasn’t posted here in two years. Fascinating. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/37 "2013-11-06T04:16:57Z")
zombie or no a couple wraps of duct tape (come in colors so you can coordinate) around the exposure zone will make you look more adult. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/38 "2013-11-06T07:09:30Z")
> [@coreywest](#): > > hi what your name smooth move ex-lax ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901/39 "2013-11-06T14:11:50Z")
Since nobody appears to want to continue the discussion I’m closing this. If it is a burning issue for someone, feel free to start a new thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-tacky-unattractive-to-have-skin-visible-between-shirt-and-pants/581901.md?page=1)