If you go shopping, you would’ve probably seen racks of t-shirts called Henley shirts. They look similar to t-shirts, but why are they different? Do you know what Henley t-shirts are?

Henley t-shirts are polo shirts without collars. They are a popular casual top-wear that comes in a variety of styles. 

What makes a t-shirt Henley-style?

Henley t-shirts were traditionally rowing uniforms worn by a team from Henley-on-Thames. This town’s name eventually became the name for one of the most common t-shirts. 

For a t-shirt to be considered Henley-style, it needs to be collarless. It usually has a round neckline, but it may also have a v-neck pattern. An essential requirement for a henley t-shirt is a placket with buttons. Usually, there are anywhere between 3-5 buttons on the top half of the t-shirt. 

Henley t-shirts can be full-sleeved or half-sleeved. But predominantly, you can get them as full-sleeved shirts. Some Henley shirts are pocketed over the breast, but most don’t have a pocket. Henley t-shirts come in a variety of designs and styles. Most are solid in color and have no prints on them. But you can also get them in Baseball-T style or even in prints like camo. 

Another unique element about Henley shirts is that they are often textured. You can get them in cool patterns like ribbed or waffled fabrics. This helps add a textural element to your closet. The texture is also an excellent element to have if you’re planning on layering your outfit. 

When you’re buying a Henley shirt, make sure to feel the fabric. Today, you can get it in a variety of fabrics. But the common factor is that your t-shirt should be soft to touch. Make sure the fabric doesn’t feel too thin or flimsy. On the contrary, it shouldn’t be thick or stiff either. Henley t-shirts are never made with silk or silky fabric. So your t-shirt shouldn’t have a silky smooth finish. 

What weather conditions are Henley t-shirts suitable for?

Henley shirts are usually made of cotton jersey or cotton-polyester blends. They are very thin t-shirts that are usually very soft. If your shirt is half-sleeved, it is best to wear it in warm climates. Cotton, being absorbent, helps to prevent sweat. So you can also wear Henley shirts while engaged in sports or other movement-intensive activities. 

But Henley’s are usually used as a base layer to wear in colder temperatures. Many Henley shirts have a waffled texture. This helps to protect you from cold weather. Long-sleeved Henley shirts are perfect to wear in windy or slightly cool temperatures. They add an element of style to your wardrobe as well. Henley t-shirts also come in thermal fabrics. The fabric is designed to retain heat. So you can wear Henley shirts in both warm and cool climates depending on the type of fabric it’s made from. 

Wool is another popular fabric with which Henley t-shirts are made. Woolen Henleys are the best to wear on a very cold day. You can wear it under a winter jacket and be very comfortable throughout the day.

Wool is another absorbent fabric. So even if you end up sweating under all your layers, the fabric will absorb the excess moisture keeping you comfortable. Wool is also an excellent fabric to wear in the summer because it is breathable and UV-resistant. So you can multi-purpose your woolen Henley shirt. 

Is there an appropriate age group to wear Henley t-shirts?

The short answer is No. You don’t have to be within a particular age group to don the comfortable Henley shirt. But, some guidelines will help you select the best Henley t-shirt for your age. Because Henley t-shirts are a recent addition to the Indian fashion scene, you will mostly see people within the 10-30 age range wearing them. This is because they are more likely to experiment with their clothing. 

But, the Henley is a very versatile piece of clothing. Though there isn’t any age limit for any type of clothing, there is a consensus that some styles look best for some people. Going by this rule, if you’re over the age of 40, we recommend you not choose printed Henley t-shirts. The prints are usually camo, striped, or have small motifs. The younger crowd usually wears these prints. But there is a huge range of solid Henley shirts that you can choose from. 

If you’re within the 10-30 age range, then the sky is your limit. All Henley t-shirts are made for and marketed for this age range. You can easily layer a Henley under a denim jacket for a street-casual look. But it is also very easy to dress up a Henley t-shirt. All you need is an appropriate pair of dress pants. You can even add a blazer on top of a Henley t-shirt for a business-casual look. But all these styles are more suitable for the younger crowd. 

Though most Henley shirts are made for men, they can be worn by women. It is comfortable, unisex top wear. For women, it is popularly worn as a business casual outfit. You can tuck the Henleys into dress pants or a formal skirt. You can achieve a very formal look with this outfit but be comfortable throughout the day. Henley shirts can also be worn as a casual t-shirt over jeans or even joggers. They are very versatile in the way you can style them.  

What occasion can you wear Henley t-shirts for?

Henley t-shirts are very versatile, can be styled in different ways, and are popular in India. But if you change the way you style Henleys, you can even wear it as a business-casual outfit. 

Henleys are essential if you’re planning on layering your outfit. You can wear it over a pair of jeans and a casual blazer. This will give you a comfortable party-wear look. But if instead of the jeans, you wear chinos or dress pants, you can even wear them to formal settings like the office or meetings. Both full-sleeved and half-sleeved t-shirts work well for these occasions. But if you’re wearing it to a formal setting, try not to choose a patterned t-shirt. Pick a solid-colored Henley instead. 

Where can I get the original Henley t-shirts? 

Henley t-shirts have become extremely popular in India. They are a wardrobe essential for college-going people. Because of this, almost every clothing store, big or small, usually carries Henley shirts. But if you’re looking for authentic Henleys for young boys, then ByTheWay Label is the best place to go.

They carry Henley shirts in many colors for children aged 5-14. These Henleys are made of cotton fabric and are extremely comfortable. The short-sleeved t-shirts are suitable for casual wear outfits. You can pair them with joggers or shorts. It can also be used as a day-out outfit when paired with jeans.