… or not in my case.
I’ve never really gelled with the popover. The Ivy ideal doesn’t seem to match the reality.
Better untucked I feel, but untucked is something I never feel happy about unless it’s with no jacket, or with shorts. Then again they don’t seem to tuck in very satisfactorily either and the expanse of cloth, where a placket would normally be, somehow looks a bit off under a jacket. The expanse of cloth isn’t very flattering either if you’re carrying any weight.
Still, I’ve lost a bit of weight recently. So the other day it was warm and I decided to err … pop one on. Despite being made of a very lightweight cotton cloth I soon noticed that I felt hot, something to with a lack of ventilation I reckon.
Any thoughts?
I think I cautiously agree with you. I fancied one for ages and finally got a lovely Kamakura the other day. It's a gorgeous shirt, but to be honest I'd rather it was a button-up number than a popover. There's just something about the amount of 'give' in a poplin that doesn't feel quite right for pulling over the head. I keep thinking I'm going to tear it. Something with a bit more stretch would feel better I think. I know what you mean about the expanse of material too. Not sure it hangs right without the structure of a placket.
Apart from that, lovely!
The idea has never appealed to me - I don't get how they are better, or when they are the right choice to wear. It's just my take, others here seem to like them.
Not for anyone carrying a little timber, very much a slim persons cut. Oxford versions look great with a cord sack, as do chambray. Pattern ones with chinos, 5 pockets work tucked/untucked, unless longer and fuller cut, in which case they gotta be tucked.
Being 5.9 and just over 9 stone I find they fit my version of Ivy Style - also that placket looks neat when worn under a cardigan or lightweight wind stopper
I'm a massive fan of the popover.
My thinking runs like this. The OCBD is ubiquitous. Everyone on the high street has a version from M&S through to Uniqlo. Whilst most don't fit the Ivy credentials they are worn by the masses.So you need to think outside the box.
The popover is something different. It's a lot more considered. Most men will be put off that it's not a traditional button through shirt. Also, you need to get the sizing just right.
I have bought the recent Kamakura seersucker version and prefer it tucked in. Untucked shirts highlight my short legs.
My first pop over was from Ralph and more of a pull over with a longer 4 button placket. At the time I didn't know it was a heritage piece. I just like the locker loop and third collar button.
I'm a fan of the popover. In fact I wore one tonight. You have to be in shape for them to look good (no beer gut). I always tuck mine in. Sizing is crucial. I have some RL bleeding madras ones, without the logo. I had a pair of Lee dark beige/fawn lightweight 5 pocket trousers with chocolate brown desert boots and a dark green cardigan. Just right for a mild evening, out and about.
I like the way Robbie describes wearing them.
Yeah a can imagine an Oxford one would feel more natural.
You're right too Tom — it's a good excuse to lose a bit of that winter flab!
"I'm a massive fan of the popover."
I'm not.
For the simple reason that they are tiresome to put on and take off. Unlike a polo shirt there is no stretch in the material.
They look OK once they are on but a button through is much easier.
I am not carrying excess weight either.
The one-upmanship element is scant recompense. You are better dressed than most nowadays just by wearing a shirt with a collar and a pair of trahseez.
I did have a popover as a five year old. One of those grey flannel things that all schoolboys wore. It would been voluminous, more like a nightshirt, plenty of buttons.
HaHa Kingston1an. You might be shocked to learn that I wear a white T shirt (vest?) under mine to allow me to get the bugger off, over my head after I've spent a day sweating in it. I am scared of ripping a popover that sticks to the skin.
But then I wear white T shirts under polo shirts, as well.
Unless you count the handful of Pitti Uomo peacocks there is no one-upmanship in menswear anymore.
How can there be when most men think their football shirts are fashion statements.
Denim shorts are another example of the barbarians at the gate.
Post Covid it has got worse. I sometimes question if some of the people I meet with have mirrors in their homes given the standard of what they see as acceptable businesswear.
I mentioned the popover was considered purely from an Ivy perspective versus a run of the mill button down.
Never owned a popover, considered it a few times until a young slim guy I worked with a few years ago said he had problems getting his on/off, it put me off, no chance for me certainly after a few pints....
Last Sunday I was off to football, nice weather in the south, Gitman navy check half sleeve shirt, Keydge frogmouth light beige chinos, Paraboot loafer/deck shoes, standard kit for me anyway, I took my dog for a short walk before heading off and bumped into a dog-walking acquaintance, as always we talked about football, ' are you going today' he said, 'yes' I replied, he said, ' you're a bit smart for going to football' ! I said this was my regular rigout and I only look like a tramp when I'm walking the dog in the wet & mud !
Never really understand the getting on/off issue – a correctly sized popover should be cut to allow you to get it on and off easily, all my modern and vintage shirts do this, so unless you've got a 15.5 neck and 36" waist which proportionally is probably something you should address just from a health perspective, then it's no harder that pulling on a sweatshirt or shetland.
Theoretically there may be no problem putting them on/taking them off, but accounts here tell a different story.
In very hot weather sweat will add to the problem. I don't want another layer in Summer and certainly don't need one with a polo shirt.