When wearing shorts, shirt tucked in or out?.

If the questions received for the second instalment of our weekly style column are anything to go by, you’re getting ready to go on holiday. Scroll down, then, for some crucial advice on the etiquette of shorts and shirts as well as how to pack that little bit better for your next European break. We’ll be asking for more of your questions early next week – so if you’ve got a burning style issue that needs resolved, stay tuned to the MR PORTER Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

When wearing shorts, shirt tucked in or out?

From @nikolaslokau via Instagram

At the risk of sounding like a twitchy-fingered cricket umpire, my inclination here is to say: out! The fact that you are wearing shorts more than likely preordains the outfit as casual. However, I will qualify that by saying that it largely depends on the type of shirt, and to a lesser extent the type of shorts. The more relaxed the style of both, the less likely you are to tuck. You’re unlikely to tuck a shirt into a pair of swim/board/running shorts, for example.

There are certain types of shirt that are always best worn untucked, such as camp-collar shirts (including Hawaiian, bowling and pyjama shirts). T-shirts, polos and shirts with flat-bottom hems that sit just below the belt line can be tucked in to shorts but it might look a little nerdy and/or like you’re about to play a round of golf so unless one or both of those apply, I would definitely err on the side of untucked.

However, if the shirt is more formal and has “tails” (which hang lower at the front and back), then it is designed to be tucked and looks sloppy if it’s not. In which case the shorts ought to be similarly smart (tailored and worn with a belt). The shirt and shorts need to “agree” and look balanced.

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I struggle to find a good navy blazer that doesn’t look like I have recycled an old suit jacket – any suggestions? And are elbow patches on blazers a thing of the past?

From @j0rdie_, via Instagram

You are right to resist the urge just to make a suit jacket do double duty by also wearing it as a blazer. Apart from anything else, if you do this too often, you’ll create uneven wear between the suit jacket and its comparatively seldom-worn matching trousers – to the point that they will no longer match. Also suit jackets tend to be more formal than blazers, made of finer (often worsted) cloth whose finish to my eye presents too much of a visible disconnect fabric-wise when worn with chinos, cords or jeans. It just looks off.

There are details that traditionally denote a blazer, such as patch pockets and gold or silver buttons, but as you’ll see from the selection of 87 navy blazers we currently have on MR PORTER, there are a great many variations. For warmer weather, I would suggest a a summerweight cotton, linen or hopsack or even a breathable shell blazer. And correct: elbow patches on blazers are indeed now largely an affectation of the past (Junya Watanabe excepted).

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How do I pack for a European city break in spring? I’m so stuck. All I have is a carry on.

From @haarkon_ via Instagram

The number one rule I have for packing successfully (and therefore lightly) is to lay out your outfits on your bed as you pack – this ensures you don’t end up taking a single item you’re not going to need. Keep to a cohesive colour palette so that everything works interchangeably with everything – for example blues, greys, olive and burgundy and white – that way you could wear the same jacket or pair of trousers several different ways thus cutting down on luggage.

To maximise space further, stick to light and thin layers rather than anything impractically chunky. I would suggest sturdy footwear such as Chelsea boots on the plane (which are easy to slip off and back on at security), and packing a lighter pair of sneakers such as Stan Smiths, Jack Purcells or Common Projects Achilles, which could be worn with no-show socks if you’re taking shorts. Then a couple of pairs of chinos – one navy, one olive or tan. Several different cotton T-shirts (which take up less space) and smarter button-down shirt for the evening. And then (depending on your style), a travel blazer, denim jacket or lightweight blouson, which again, you can be wearing on the plane. Always take a pair of swim shorts, just in case.

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