There’s no worse feeling than having your perfectly tucked-in shirt start to creep up. Maybe you’ve tried folding the sides, wearing a tighter belt, or (god forbid) even tucking your shirt into your boxers, all to no avail. But did you know a solution to this age-old problem exists?
Enter: the best shirt stays. This nifty device ensures a tight tuck every time. These little gadgets typically work by clipping a piece of elastic onto a shirt hem and a pair of socks for an all-day-hold. However, there are dozens of styles, all with the same end goal: a flawlessly tucked-in shirt. So whether it’s required for your uniform or you’re sick of looking like a slob, keep reading for the best shirt stays for men that will keep your shirt looking crisp through thick or thin. Here’s our complete round-up of the best options on the market today.
BEST OVERALL SHIRT STAYS: NV HOLDERS 2.0 PREMIUM SHIRT STAYS
It was recently relaunched with an upgraded design; the 2.0 version of these shirts features high-quality, non-slip clasps much stronger than the previous iteration. They clip into three places to guarantee an all-day hold, with a comfortable garter belt that’s soft enough for extended wear.
The only drawback is size does matter, so be sure to take accurate measurements of your thigh for a snug fit. Otherwise, you risk the shirt slipping down your leg and losing maximum hold as the garter isn’t adjustable. These discrete shirt stays will keep you tucked, whether you’re getting down on the dance floor or breaking out that spontaneous yoga pose in the office.
BEST GARTER STYLE SHIRT STAYS: KEDOFE ADJUSTABLE GARTER SHIRT STAYS
This garter-style gadget has strategically placed clips for a slightly pared-back version of the shirt that stays above. Rather than only clipping onto one section of the shirt, this pair has hooks in the front, back, and sides to keep your sweater locked and loaded in prime position.
Known for being supremely comfortable, this pair of garter-style shirt stays are ideal for professional use thanks to the heavy-duty construction and non-slip clips. Just be sure to find a comfortable place for the pins in the back of the shirt for obvious reasons. No one wants to sit down on a complex piece of metal.
BEST POLO SHIRT STAYS: WORLD’S BEST SHIRT STAYS
If you prefer an old-school Y-shape that connects a shirt to your socks, these polo shirt stays are some of the best in the world. They’re designed with comfort in mind, which means no rubbing elastic against your legs. Minimal slippage and complete package. While they were created for heavy-duty use, they’re also suitable for professional wear, whether you’re a police officer, teacher, or sitting in the boardroom all day.
Each leg gets a single strap, which clips onto the shirt in two places. While they’re absurdly comfortable (you’ll forget they’re even there), you may find your shirt untucked in the front or back. Spread the clips further on your shirt for a long-term hold to mitigate this.
BEST DRES’S SHIRT STAYS: FANCYBOY SIGNATURE GRAY CHECK SHIRT STAYS
Just because they belong under your clothes doesn’t mean your shirt stays can’t look good. This pair from FancyBoy lives up to the name, with a sharp gray check pattern and premium materials. With an extra soft construction, this Y-shaped pair of best men’s shirts feels gentle against the skin while packing a complete punch in terms of function. The clips are strong enough for an all-day hold yet delicate enough to keep your nicest shirts damage free.
With overwhelmingly positive feedback, these dress shirt stays are a fan favorite. The only drawback is they’re slightly more expensive than other Y-shaped shirt stays. But you get what you pay for. If quality and style are what you’re after, it doesn’t get much better than this.
BEST STIRRUP SHIRT STAYS: COMFY CLOTHIERS STIRRUP SHIRT STAYS
These stirrup shirt stays go beyond just cowboy attire. Innovatively designed for supreme comfort, they clip onto your shirt and hook around your foot. Yes, wearing a piece of elastic in your shoe may seem counterintuitive and uncomfortable, but it’s surprisingly practical. The design is fully adjustable to keep the elastic or metal clips from rubbing against your legs, creating a much more pleasant shirt stay experience.
You may run into a single issue with stirrup-style shirt stays–they’re not easily adjusted once on. If the elastic begins to slip, you’ll need to make a beeline for the closest men’s room because this is not something you can fix in public.
BEST SHIRT STAYS ON AMAZON: HOLD’EM STIRUP STYLE SHIRT STAYS
If this stirrup-style shirt keeps Marines perfectly tucked, you know they’re high quality. This pair is made from ultra-soft elastic to prevent irritation, and the heavy-duty construction will keep them from fraying even after plenty of use.
With robust clips to handle anything life throws your way, these shirt stays can be worn to the office, out on duty, or even on date night. However, you should skip bringing her back to your place because that means revealing your shirt-tucking secrets.
BEST HYBRID STYLE SHIRT STAYS: UPGRADED STYLE SHIRT STAYS
You’re in luck if you need help deciding between classic or stirrup-style shirt stays. This pair offers a hybrid option for the best of both worlds. With thigh garter and stirrup attachment points, these shirt stays for men mean business. Adjust the length (and thigh band) to get the perfect fit. The metal clips and foot loop will do the rest to keep you tucked. If you prefer a Y-style shirt stay, there’s an option to forego the stirrups and clip the elastic onto socks instead.
However, remember that the pressure may cause the garter and clips to slip slightly since the second attachment loops around the foot. Leave enough slack so everyone has enough room to breathe.
BEST SHIRT STAYS FOR DAILY USE: HEAVY DUTY SHIRT STAYS
It never hurts to stick with the OG shirt stay style. Each leg gets two elastic bands that connect to a shirt and socks–one in the front and one in the back. Not only will it keep your sweater looking crisp, but it will keep your socks in place, too.
Though the bands are completely adjustable, you may notice the elastic rubbing against their legs. You’re stuck with slightly more flexible than other pairs of shirt stays, but the trade-off here is a foolproof system that works every time.
BEST BELT STYLE SHIRT STAYS: TUCK-IT BELT STYLE SHIRT STAY
If you’d rather forego elastic running down your legs, this tuck-it-style shirt stays for men and is a handy alternative. Instead of clipping onto a sweater, this nifty belt wraps around the wearer’s waist and stays hidden below the pants. So what keeps it from slipping down into the abyss? The clip hooks onto a shirt button to save it stationary and has a grip lining to keep it from sliding around.
Though it’s a worthy alternative, some men may find that traditional shirt stays to keep them tucked in better. This design may have more slippage, but it’s worth considering if you can’t stand elastic rubbing against your skin.
MOST CREATIVE SHIRT STAYS: MAGNETUCK MAGNETIC SHIRT STAYS
If all else fails, give these magnetic shirt stays a go. While they are less efficient than the type with clips, these discreet shirt stays utilize extra strong magnets to keep things in place. With a motto of ‘quit tuckin’ around,’ at least they get points for creativity.
Attach the magnets to each side of a shirt and tuck it in as usual. Though for a tighter hold, consider attaching the magnets slightly lower on the shirt than recommended, and the attractions will keep it stuck in place so it doesn’t wiggle around. The bonus is there’s no damage to any shirts since they don’t use clips like traditional shirt stays. But the downside is a less dependable hold and a bit of bulkiness from the magnets under the pants.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEARCHING FOR THE BEST SHIRT STAYS
When choosing the right pair of shirt stays, these are the primary considerations to remember.
STYLE
The first consideration to think about is the style of shirt stay. There are many options, ranging from garter to stirrup to Y-shape. The type you choose ultimately depends on what will be most comfortable for daily wear. There’s no point in choosing a style of shirt stays you’ll dread wearing.