Popovers?

[JTrent82]

Can someone explain to me the appeal of popovers? It seems to me that one would be better off wearing either a full button up or a polo depending on the situation. I think the popover is trying to fill two roles and isn't best for either. Thoughts?

 

[Steve Smith]

It is a trad / Ivy style, not for everyone but they have their following.

 

[circumspice]

They are for people trying to break the hegemony of Big Button, 3 or 4 buttons at a time.

 

[JFWR]

Can someone explain to me the appeal of popovers? It seems to me that one would be better off wearing either a full button up or a polo depending on the situation. I think the popover is trying to fill two roles and isn't best for either. Thoughts?

Not a fan. I agree with your assessment. Either go with a polo or a buttoned shirt.

I also am not a fan of any shirt with that many buttons I couldn't decide to wear with a tie.

Might the advantage be that these are wearable without tucking?

 

[dieworkwear]

It is a trad / Ivy style, not for everyone but they have their following.

Steve said all there needs to be said about it. But to elaborate, the style has deep roots in American style. Some of the earliest Brooks Brothers shirts were made with detachable collars, like this

These collars were stiff and uncomfortable. According to the New York Times, one man was found dead because he fell asleep, possibly from drinking, and his neck hung low. The hard collar cut off the blood supply to his brain.

When Brooks Brothers first introduced their soft button-down collar, it was attached to the shirt. And the shirt came in a pullover style like this

Eventaully, the style moved to what's called a coat front, which was first introduced with five buttons and later turned into six. This one is from 1949

However, pullover styles (or "popover") remained popular with people who loved American style. Like the original button-down shirt, this is considered a casual sport shirt. This style was offered by all of the main American clothiers, such as Brooks Brothers, Gant, J. Press, and others.

I think you can still wear the style today, but many people nowadays don't have much of an eye for classic American style, so they may think it looks weird. But I still think it can look good in a modern context. Here's Mitchell in a popover. The style works best in casual fabrics such as madras, linen, and oxford, and worn with casual outfits.

 

[Mirage-]

I was considering to get a few for a while from a local shirtmaker, inspired by Pini Parma product shoots, but it was pointed out to me the obvious problem that they would need to be larger in the body than my usual shirts, to allow for actually "popping them over". In the end I decided it wasn't worth it, and that I might as well get a ready-made LS polo instead.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I thought we were going to talk about food. Sorry.

 

[double00]

popovers are a mainstay of aloha , since prob 60s .

 

[celery]

Very casual and laid back. I really enjoy them.

 

[Thin White Duke]

I like ‘em too. They operate in that space bridging between a long sleeved polo and a casual button front shirt.

I believe at one time all mens shirts were popovers (I hate the terminology!) - think Lord Byron et al in their flouncy white linens with some sort of neck cloth.

I have one in Oxford cloth by the late lamented Lean Garments which isn’t easy to get on as it fits close. Could do with being a bit longer too.

Others I have are easier to get on if the material has a bit of give like pique cotton etc. I’m contemplating some from Lands End in linen.

 

[double00]

hm maybe smock shirt is a better term than popover ? seems equally goofy to me haha

 

[Dan Dynamic]

Should the fitting of popover shirts be akin to that of normal dress shirts?

 

[dieworkwear]

Should the fitting of popover shirts be akin to that of normal dress shirts?

No, they are typically made from non-stretchy woven cloth, so they fit bigger than modern coat-front shirts

 

[DapperPhilly]

Popover = meh

 

[smittycl]

I really don’t like them. Too big in the chest for anything but a casual shirt. I had a few DBF linen popover shirts and they were annoying to get on and off especially in the hot summer. Much better to go polo or standard button down.