A Brief Guide: What is a Henley shirt?

When we talk about men's shirts, all that comes to mind is that they don't have much variety to wear. I always thought men had limited options to wear, especially shirts. These thoughts one day inspired me to do thorough research on them and to learn about various types of shirts even more. I was so shocked to learn about the different types of shirt options they have and the types of shirts that are common for men:

Different Types Of Shirts:

To simplify it more, we can break it into two basic categories, which are casual shirts and formal shirts. If we talk about casual shirts, we have polos, wholesale t-shirts, henley shirts, performance shirts, jerseys and baseball shirts, and Hawaiian shirts. These shirts can be worn casually, like in your everyday wear. On the other hand, formal shirts include dress shirts, button-up shirts, button-down shirts, and denim shirts These shirts can be worn at different types of events, including business meetings and even weddings. All these shirts have their own charm, but one I like the most and that makes me most comfortable is the Henley shirt.

What is a Henley shirt?

So if we put our heads together about “what is a Henley shirt?” Henley shirts are basically something with a very gorgeous neckline. Their necklines are what make Henley shirts different from others. Henley tops are usually the ones with a popover placket with only one to five buttons below the henley collar, so you have to "pop" it "over" your head In easy words, these are the buttoned collarless tees with 4 to 5-inch plackets. These tees are exactly like polos, just without the collar. Usually, henleys are made of soft cotton fabric, which makes them one of the most comfortable shirts to wear. Cotton is the most common material used to produce henley shirts; however, synthetics and merino wool are also used. 

History of Henley Shirts

Basically, henleys were discovered in the 19th century in England; they were initially used as men's undergarments as an undervest. These undervests were the first undervests without collars in history. People found them extremely comfortable and easy to wear, so they started getting popular with time as sportswear in a small town in England called Henley-on-Thames.

In 1993, this town, Henley, was famous for its rowing race called “Royal Regatta” and was a hub for it. In this rowing race, henley shirts were used as a rowing uniform, and the rowers loved wearing them as they were very comfortable, with a placket for better airflow and no collar. Rowers liked it so much that it became the usual outfit for rowing. Also, a tradition started where the losing team would give their shirts to the winners after a race, helping spread the popularity of this shirt even more.

Until the late 1900s, henleys were mostly worn for sports. But later, and with time, these t-shirts became popular for everyday wear. A Ralph Lauren buyer noticed this t-shirt and thought it could be turned into a cool mix of a t-shirt and something else. He named it Henley over the town and created the new version, which we have nowadays.

Things to keep in mind before buying a henley:

Before buying a henley, you should know a few factors and consider a few things, which are explained below:

Fit:

A well-fitted henley, according to your physique, will always have a neckline that is neither too tight nor too loose. The body length of your henley should end near the middle of your pants' fly. This fit will offer you a sleek yet smart look.

Sleeve length:

You must consider the sleeve length according to your own preferences, as the sleeves in these shirts are very important to make you comfortable. If you prefer shorter sleeves, they should be at least extended to the center of your upper arm, and if you prefer a long-sleeved shirt, your long sleeve men's henley shirts must end near your wrist.

Fabric:

Henley shirt men are commonly made of cotton, but these days people are experimenting with it too; they can be woolen or a mix of fabrics. The most comfortable and lighter henleys are made of pure cotton; it's best to buy the ones made from pure cotton. But if you want them for winter weather, you should opt for men's thermal henley shirt or ones made with thick fabric. Additionally, you must check the quality of its fabric thoroughly. If it's made of good quality fabric, it will last a long time.

Stitching And Buttons

Before buying a henley, you must check the quality of the stitching thoroughly, as it should be finely stitched. One should check the quality of the button or any embellishment over it as well; they seem like minor things, but they are vital in henley shirts and give them a better look.

Features And Benefits Of Henly Shirts

Henleys are one of the best shirts you can opt for in your closet, as these shirts are not just charming, but much more. Here are a few benefits and features of Henley shirts below:

• Extremely Adaptable

  As we know, Hanely shirts are available in almost every color present in the world, which makes them extremely versatile and adaptable. Most of them are extremely adaptable and can be worn with almost everything. 

• Lighter in weight

  Hanely shirts are lighter in weight as they are mostly made of cotton, they are easily compressible, and they can be one of your greatest travel buddies. These shirts can be carried easily in bulk, especially the Henley shirt short sleeve. 

• Comfortable:

  Henley shirts are extremely comfortable and breathable than performance shirts. These shirts are made of cotton, which is the most breathable fabric and lets the cool air pass.

• Forever Fashionable

  Henley shirts are extremely fashionable, and they are always in style. These shirts are designed to be comfortable along with being stylish, so they are never out of fashion and trend.

• Goes Well With layering Options

  Henley shirts are a great option to wear underneath any stylish sweater, coat, or jacket, as they do not have a collar, which makes them a great option to wear with almost everything.

• Can be styled in multiple ways

  Henley shirts are extremely adaptable; they can be styled in various ways. They can be worn with almost every kind of comfortable bottom and can be tugged in or tugged out according to your dress. 

• Various Colors

  Henley shirts are available in a lot of different colors; they are available in almost every color we can even think about. It's easy to find any kind of color in it, from black henley shirt to a typical grey henley shirt Henley looks great in every kind of color. You can also opt for white henley shirt. 

Henley Shirts vs. Polo Shirts:

How Can You Wear A Henley Shirt?

Henley shirts are extremely versatile and can be worn with lots of different things, even though they can be worn as a great undervest, and the Henley tee can also be worn as a casual shirt with any of your comfortable bottoms. You can pair it with any kind of leather jacket, denim jacket, or any of your favorite jackets and vests for a formal event or occasion, and you can pair it with your favorite denim, tugged in or tugged out; they are going to give you a cool look. You can also wear them with a collared shirt as an inner shirt, and they are going to look fantastic more than ever. Accept it or not, but Henleys can be more breathable than any performance shirt. For a better look and version, Henley shirts can be customized with embroidery or screen printing, and the customized Henley shirts are going to look better than the normal ones.

Where to Buy Henley Shirts

At Apparelbus, we offer a variety of Henley shirts in various colors and styles. Our shirts are made with quality and breathable fabric. Our shirts are not only extremely adaptable, but they are also well-designed to last longer. We offer all the top brands at our E-store, which provides quality shirts only. We make various designs of henley shirts easily accessible for everyone on our website, and our lightning-fast shipping is no less. We specially offer wholesale Henley shirts at bulk rates with bulk discounts. Not only do we offer henley shirts for men, we also offer women's henley shirts at Apparelbus too.

End Words:

I know men's shirts are an interesting topic to discover, especially henley shirts so in conclusion to “what is a Henley shirt”, A Henley shirt is a versatile and comfortable clothing option for men, usually made with cotton, offering a unique neckline filled with buttons and a casual yet stylish appearance. Originating as undergarments in 19th-century England, they gained popularity as sportswear, particularly in rowing competitions. Over time, Henleys were converted into everyday wear and trends. Henley shirts are extremely beneficial as they offer adaptability, lightweight comfort, timeless fashion, and compatibility with layering. In comparison to polo shirts, Henleys provide a more relaxed and effortless look, suitable for pairing with jeans or chinos. So, Henley shirts are a must-have, offering adaptability and comfort for various occasions and styling options.