While Simon Callow might still be tucking in his shirt, and even his T-shirt, there are new ‘rules’ in 2010 for shirt-wearing.

Until this year it’s been stylish for men to wear their shirts with the tails out – not just casual shirts like polos or Hawaiian-style shirts either, but formal shirts have also been hung out in the office.

However, it’s all changing – while women are still wearing tapered shirts with the tails out, men aren’t. Men’s shirts are being worn inside the trousers for the first time in nearly a decade – and classic styled brown or black leather belts were much in evidence on this year’s spring season catwalks. Men’s shirts are not often seen as a barometer of the economy but tails-out shirt-wear is associated with the 60s and 80s, times of economic vibrancy, so it’s not surprising that in this time of economic stringency, shirt-tails are going back in.

On the other hand, women are wearing their shirt tails out, with large costume belts cinching their waists, over extremely short shirts worn with textured tights. This fashion is also associated with leggings and loose trousers like jogging trousers or harem pants and it sends a confusing message, because while short skirts suggest economic buoyancy, loose trousers are more associated with times of economic depression – so men and women’s clothing is carrying different messages about the financial future – let’s hope the women are right!