I don't understand popover shirts. They are hybrids that are in between of polo and button down shirts. They are supposedly more dressed up than a polo and more relaxed than a regular dress shirt. Personally I think that's what oxford cloth button downs (OCBDs) are for. Popover shirts have a placket that only goes down half way of the shirts and usually three buttons below the collar. This configuration requires you "pop" it over your head when putting it on. They have can have long sleeves or short sleeves, they are made out of different cloth materials BUT one thing all the materials have in common is that they don't have any hint of stretch at all. And that's where the problems lies, they are hard to put on.
I first noticed popover shirts about a year ago at J. Crew, now they are a ubiquitous style piece that I see pops up everywhere. So the other day I decided to try it on in stores, now I'm not big guy at all, matter of fact I think I have a pretty body and kind of narrow shoulders. But still, I find it really really hard to get in these shirts. There's no stretch in the material so it's pretty hard to pop it over your head, and when I did I find body to be too billowy. And there was no way I could have sized down. So I think I'm going to stick to the good old OCDBs for occasion that needs a shirt that is more dressed up than polo and more relaxed than regular dress shirts.
