What are Henley Shirts?
The casual collarless Henley shirts which became very popular in the 1990s started out as uniform tops worn by rowing crews in Henley-on-Thames, England. Henley shirts are distinguished by their buttoned placket which contains anywhere from two to six buttons. Many Henley shirts tend to be oversized, which makes them popular among larger men who appreciate their roominess and improved ventilation.
Henley shirts can be made from a variety of materials, but cotton or a polyester-cotton blend is most popular. Traditional Henley shirts could have short, three-quarters or long sleeve lengths, depending on the season. In practice, Henley shirts often look like a cross between a polo shirt and a casual collarless t-shirt, with the addition of the buttoned placket to pull the neckline together.
Many Henley shirts are used as an alternative to other team uniform tops such as t-shirts or polo shirts. Team logos or player numbers can be embroidered or printed on Henley shirts just as easily as any other team jerseys. The oversized quality of Henley shirts also provides for ease of movement and more ventilation of body heat. Some sports teams, however, find the additional buttons on Henley shirts to be problematic during full-contact events. It is more common to find Henley shirts on professional rowers than rugby or soccer players.
Henley shirts became popular primarily during the early 1990s, perhaps as an improvement on the traditional polo shirt. The buttons on Henley shirts make them easier to put on and remove, and they can be opened to provide more ventilation if necessary. Henley shirts can be worn with almost any casual pant, especially blue jeans and khakis in appropriate shades. Many Henley shirts are designed with solid colors, but some feature stripes or complementary color schemes.
Henley shirts did fall out of fashion briefly during the late 1990s and early 2000s, but they have since become popular again, especially among larger men who seek a stylish casual shirt which isn't as form-fitting as a t-shirt and more accessible than a standard polo-style pullover. Many clothing outlets offer regular sales on their collections of Henley shirts, especially during seasonal changes, so savvy shoppers can often find good deals by consulting catalogs and websites for specials and discounts.
Written by Michael Pollick
