The men’s henley shirt sits between a T-shirt and a shirt. It has a collarless neckline with a short button or lace-up placket, so it looks more put-together than a T-shirt but stays relaxed and comfortable. It is one of the easiest pieces to wear all year round, and this guide shows you how.
linen-look lace-up style" title="How to Wear a Men's Henley Shirt in Every Season 1">What is a men’s henley shirt?
A henley is a collarless top with a placket of two to five buttons, or laces, at the neck. It comes in short or long sleeves and in many fabrics: cotton, linen-look blends, ribbed knits, waffle knits and corduroy. Because there is no collar, it looks relaxed, but the placket adds a small, smart detail. The style takes its name from the town of Henley-on-Thames, where rowers wore it; read more about the henley shirt.
How a men’s henley shirt should fit
- Shoulders: the seam should sit on the edge of your shoulder.
- Body: close to the body but not tight, with a little room around the stomach.
- Length: it should end around the middle of your belt or zip, so it looks good untucked.
- Sizing: check the size chart on each product page and our size guide; if you are between sizes, choose the larger one.
Spring and summer: light and easy
Choose a linen-look or light cotton henley. Our Men’s Linen-Look Lace Up Henley Shirt is a customer favourite: breathable, relaxed and easy to dress up or down. Wear it with light chinos or linen trousers and loafers, with the sleeves rolled up. For hot days, a short-sleeve style like the Short Sleeve Bamboo Henley keeps things cool.
Autumn: the perfect layer
A long-sleeve henley is ideal for layering in autumn. Wear it under an open overshirt, a denim jacket or a light trench coat. Earthy colours such as olive, rust, navy and stone look especially good this time of year. The Ribbed Relaxed-Fit Henley adds texture to a simple outfit.
Winter: warmer fabrics, more layers
In winter, choose thicker fabrics such as corduroy or knitted henleys. The Slim Corduroy Long-Sleeve Henley and the Knitted Retro Henley work well on their own indoors, and under a wool-look overcoat or a chunky cardigan from our men’s knitwear outside.
Three easy henley outfits
- Smart casual: olive henley, navy chinos, brown leather boots and a camel coat.
- Weekend: white or cream henley, dark jeans and clean white trainers.
- Layered: charcoal henley under an open cardigan, grey trousers and Chelsea boots.
Buttons open or closed?
For a relaxed look, leave the top one or two buttons open. For a neater look under a jacket or coat, close all but the top button. With lace-up styles, keep the laces loosely tied for an easy, natural feel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a henley shirt to work?
Yes, in smart-casual workplaces. Choose a plain colour, wear it with chinos or tailored trousers, and add a blazer or knit layer.
Should a henley be tucked in?
Henleys are usually worn untucked. If yours is longer, a loose front tuck into chinos can look neat.
What colours are most versatile?
White, cream, navy, olive and charcoal. Start with these and add bolder colours later.
Browse more shirts, knits and layers in our men’s collection. Delivery is free worldwide with no minimum order.
