Got this for a trip to Hawaii for sun protection in the heat. Looked awful. Bought a similar shirt from a competitor that has much more flattering princess seaming.
This review is actually for the sleeveless version, but applies to the long sleeve one too. The fabric is so light as to feel weightless, but even the white did not seem to be see through on me. The armholes are a little too big, but not nearly as bad as the sleeveless oxford. The fitting skims your body and gives the hint of a curve not just a hanging box. I washed it in cold, dried on warm and it came out fairly wrinkle free. HOWEVER, the seams and dart stitching all pulled and puckered, and ironing did not help much. The front chest pockets are not useful on most women, and the side access zipper on one pocket just adds to the bulk of the fabric. And another area that pulls and puckers. Now to the famous rubber buttons which will just barely fit through the buttonholes anyway. I like snug, not loose buttons, but these are almost impossible to work through, due to their rubber coating and friction factor. My hands were sore by the time I finally got all the buttons done, so I only unbuttoned enough to pull it off over my head. The collar snaps made the shirt look too formal and uptight. But if you unsnap them, and then open the top two buttons, the interior mesh shows. I ended up buttoning a little higher than normal to not see the mesh. Overall, I do like this shirt for hot steamy weather, because of its light airy feeling, like summer voile, almost weightless. I can deal with the puckering, but the buttons may eventually kill me. I can recommend it to most women but not if you have painful or stiff fingers.
Read the reviews saying this shirt runs really small so I ordered a large instead of a medium. I think I could have worn a medium but will keep the large as it is comfy and roomy and I can wear a t-shirt under it comfortably. Worried about the green color but I like it. The length seemed shorter on the model but is long on me. Overall, this was a good purchase and I am happy with it.
Several years ago I purchased the previous model of the tropicwear shirt (the one with the tortoise shell style buttons and no darts). I guess they were being cleared out to make way for the new, more fitted shirt with the beveled buttons that are the same color as the shirt. I have finally gotten a chance to wear the older style for kayaking and other active outdoor activities, and I must say that the non-fitted style is extremely comfortable. I do not like wearing tight shirts when I'm out in my kayak. The buttons are much easier to get buttoned too. I am 5'4"/36B/130 lbs. with short arms and the medium regular in the old style is the perfect fit. They are very comfortable size-wise and fabric is not scratchy or plastic-y on my skin (something I'm sensitive to). I like to wear one over a tank top; it looks great buttoned or unbuttoned.
Please consider offering a non-fitted version (no darts!) of some of these woven shirts for active women. And maybe some non-pastel colors? Thank you!
