Name a more versatile piece of clothing than a henley shirt; go on, we dare you. The best henley shirts benefit from a super functional design, making them a go-to undergarment, as they allows us to wear our heavyweight garments over the top, securing incredible warmth in winter. However, lightweight short-sleeve henley shirts are perfect for summer, as they’re highly breathable and comfortable.
The henley shirt has always been a super practical staple piece, as it initially served as the uniform for sailors in the town of Henley-on-Thames. However, this undergarment went on a brief hiatus and didn’t merge into mainstream culture until the 1960s, after Ralph Lauren began designing henley-style shirts into his menswear collections. Soon after its reincarnation, everyone began rocking these designs, recognised for their casual, laidback style; suitable to wear all year round.
Aside from a basic white tee, there is no undergarment more adaptable than a henley shirt. To celebrate the functionality of this classic top, we’ve carefully curated a list of the best henley shirts men can buy today. These shirts are of the finest quality and will quickly become the foundation of all your casual wear.
Hugo Boss
Pros
- High-quality
- Fashion forward
Cons
- Can be expensive, but worth it
Hugo Boss make some of the best henley shirts for men on the market, as they’re a classic, simple staple piece, suitable for every man’s wardrobe.
If you’re looking for a quality henley shirt that’s an excellent underlayer for winter, make sure you check out their collection.
These henley shirts come in oversized, slim fit, long sleeve and short sleeve styles, designed to be exceptionally soft and cosy. These shirts are premium cotton, guaranteed to last a long time.
Everlane
Pros
- Sustainable brand
- Transparent production
- Great quality cottons
Cons
- Slow shipping outside of USA
Everlane is one of the best sustainable clothing brands, delivering clothes crafted from the most delicate fabrics and materials.
The company is committed to making a difference as they only partner up with ethical factories. However, beyond being eco-friendly, this brand is impeccably stylish, with its diverse contemporary range of men’s fashion.
They have an endless collection of henley shirts for men, offering both short and long-sleeved styles. Made from 100% cotton, these henley shirts are incredibly soft and warm on the skin, keeping you protected in cold weather, and they’re built to last, thanks to their highly durable construction.
Outerknown
Pros
- Sustainable brand that's big on the environment
- high-quality garments
Cons
- Can be a bit on the expensive side
In 2015, surfing legend Kelly Slater and John Moore’s created their own lifestyle clothing brand, with the vision to serve quality apparel to outdoor enthusiasts while preserving the planet. If you’re searching for a pioneering sustainable clothing brand that manufactures incredible products, make sure you check out their online store.
Outerknown has a collection of innovative henley shirts for men made purely from renewable and recyclable materials, including organic Pima cotton. Outerknown’s henley shirts also offer a relaxed fit and are the perfect basic tee to wear in the colder seasons. Better still, Outerknown’s henley shirts come in various styles, cuts and colours cater to every man’s preferred aesthetic.
Ministry of Supply
Pros
- Direct to consumer
- Well-priced
- Very good reviews online
Cons
- Collar on their t-shirts was a bit too high
Ministry of Supply was born in Cambridge and is headquartered in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) labs, ensuring their clothing is of the highest quality. This brand is committed to tailoring the finest men’s shirts, including their stylish range of henley shirts.
Ministry of Supply’s henley shirts benefit from a simple yet effective design, as they feature advanced technology geared to be highly functional and protective. They’re incredibly well-made too, being crafted from premium merino wool that is super stretchy and flexible, allowing you to move with great ease. For man wanting choice with his henley shirts, Ministry of Supply offer their collection in a range of cool colours, promising to complement any casual outfit.
Todd Snyder
Pros
- Fashion forward design
- One of the hottest menswear brands right now
Cons
- Can be expensive, but worth it
Todd Snyder launched his label in 2011, with the dream to infuse his love of New York in his clothing. This brand’s distinct style draws influence from Savile Row craftsmanship, military tailoring, fusing it with a New York sensibility, and has been hailed as one of the best menswear brands of all time.
Make sure you visit their online store, as Todd Snyder offers a versatile collection of henley shirts for men, available in the most striking colours. This collection has everything from jersey long sleeve henley shirts to basic short-sleeved henley shirts. Many of these designs are also fine cotton and feature shell buttons and a button placket for your convenience.
Buck Mason
Pros
- Great quality cotton
- Direct to consumer, so better pricing
- Fast shipping with UPS
Cons
- Found it fitted small to size
In 2013, neighbours Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen launched their clothing brand Buck Mason from a 50-square-foot garage supplying basic jeans and tees. Despite starting from humble beginnings, this company has cultivated a loyal following, recognised for its laidback, easy-going style. If you’re looking for the best henley shirts for men that are perfect for casual wear, you have to check out their store.
Buck Mason’s men’s henley shirts are 100% Pima cotton, designed to feel super soft and delicate on the skin. Many of their henley shirts also come with a curved hem, geared to be super flattering while making you look taller.
As with other brands on this list, Buck Mason offers its henley shirts in a range of colours, but they particularly focus on rich dark winter colours, the perfect choice if you’re looking for something to blend in with any outfit seamlessly.
Club Monaco
Pros
- Perfect middle road brand
- Plenty of other garments in their range to pair your Henley with
Cons
- Hard to beat...
Deemed as “affordable luxury”, Club Monaco design clothes redefining how modern men present themselves available for affordable prices. Founded in the mid-eighties, Club Monaco is primarily known for combining great casual style with an athletic sensibility, as they’re all about creating a “better basic”.
Club Monaco has both linen and double-knit henley shirts for men available, guaranteed to elevate your casual wardrobe. Their double-knit long-sleeved henley shirt is the perfect staple piece for winter, offering a three-button placket and topstitched detailing. However, if you’re looking for a great summer shirt, their linen men’s henley shirt is super lightweight and breathable, geared to make you feel effortlessly comfortable.
J. Crew
Pros
- Traditional American brand
- Great for basics
- Have regular sales to grab a bargain
Cons
- Limited range
J. Crew is a lifestyle clothing brand creating modern designs that feature high-end technology. They have set a global benchmark for their accessible, high-quality products that feature excellent materials.
They have a diverse collection of garment-dyed, cotton and waffle knit henley shirts for men available in different colours and styles. Their long-sleeve shirts are super practical as they feature ribbed cuffs and chest pockets. Meanwhile, their short-sleeved henley shirts are highly breathable and lightweight, the ideal top for warm weather.
Western Rise
Pros
- Direct to consumer brand
- Great for basics
- Comes in three colours
Cons
Western Rise was founded in 2014 by Kelly Watters, whose vision was to create high-end clothing that featured the most technical fabric, securing high performance. You’ll struggle to find a brand that offers highly diverse outdoor clothing that aims to elevate your life and outdoor exploration.
If you’re looking for a men’s henley shirt suited for the great outdoors, then Western Rise has you covered. Make sure you have a look at their cotton henley, as this shirt is cut from a heavier fabric designed to keep you warm in the coldest temperatures. This shirt is also very functional, as it features moisture-wicking, odour resistant and 4-way stretch materials.
James Perse
Pros
- Pure luxury
- Incredible quality
Cons
- Not cheap
James Perse founded his eponymous label in the mid-nineties after he was inspired by warm west-coast indoor-outdoor living and the coastal style that goes along with it. This brand is synonymous with its luxurious casual style while emphasising sophistication and comfort. If you’re looking to add a bit effortless luxe to your clothing, delve into their online store and check their henley shirt.
This lightweight henlty shirt features simple and clean cuts, making it the ideal basic shirt to incorporate into your off-duty style. This shirt is impeccably made, as it’s cotton-blend jersey brushed with softness, available in black, grey and white colours.