Most men's button-down shirts are designed to be a bit long so they stay tucked in. But when you want to wear shirts untucked for casual events, they can look unkempt and sloppy -- the perfect length for an untucked men's shirt is halfway between the belt and the bottom of the zipper. If you know how to sew a straight line, you can easily shorten your own shirts.
![diagram showing perfect length for untucked men's shirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/9cd30866-8dcd-40bb-94e0-88734454cfd2.jpg)
Video of the Day
Things You'll Need
Measuring tape
Pins
Washable marker
Sharp scissors
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine with a universal 90/14 needle and thread
![materials needed](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/ddf216a3-2e11-4063-a3c8-0cb4b7ec60cb.jpg)
Step 1
Put on the shirt and use a pin to mark where you'd like the new hemline to fall. Take the shirt off.
Video of the Day
![too long shirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/4ca027cc-a1de-4400-a1d3-b0e345c144ea.jpg)
Step 2
To determine how much of the shirt to cut off, measure from the bottom of the hem to the pin. Subtract 1 1/4 inches from this measurement to allow for a hem. For example, if your new hemline is 4 inches from the bottom of the existing hem, then 4 - 1 1/4 = 2 3/4. You will mark 2 3/4 inches from the bottom of the shirt. Use a measuring tape and a washable marker to mark the cut line across the bottom of the shirt.
![measuring and marking new hem](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/1258c5bf-4ac1-4bcb-8c6f-a312024c68c0.jpg)
Step 3
Cut along the line you marked.
![cutting off bottom of the shirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/d5e76b14-f9f1-4eb1-9555-eba62c6a6db6.jpg)
Step 4
Fold the raw edge 1/4 inch under toward the inside of the shirt and press with an iron.
![pressing under 1/4 inch at shirt bottom](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/79702fba-a8b2-4cd7-94e1-8e51ce579660.jpg)
Step 5
Use straight pins to pin the pressed edge in place.
![pinning the pressed edge](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/29c0f8a5-5a7f-4528-a290-632527398f90.jpg)
Step 6
Use a 90/14 needle and a medium stitch length to sew along the pressed edge. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew.
![sewing along the pressed edge](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/5c4c3484-e608-41cf-9289-f86473c9aa8f.jpg)
Step 7
Now fold 1 inch under toward the inside of the shirt and press again with an iron.
![pressing under an inch on the bottom of the shirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/7533892b-134f-4919-b51d-bdb504dddf6a.jpg)
Step 8
Pin the pressed edge in place.
![pinning the pressed edge](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/3a0e509b-b015-4900-aea2-9c50753af28f.jpg)
Step 9
Sew along the previous stitch line to create the hem, removing the pins as you sew.
![sewing along the pressed edge](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/327da7a2-d8f8-462e-a841-71ce927bae48.jpg)
Now when you untuck your shirt for a more casual look, you will not only have comfortable access to your pockets, but you can show off your jeans without looking frumpy or disheveled.
![before and after of the shirt](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/ppds/f7088a51-1a87-4517-be1e-32c701b75c4e.jpg)