A henley shirt is an alternative to a t-shirt or tank top. Typically made of cotton, this shirt has long sleeves, no collar, and a row of buttons in the front, ranging from two to five. Let’s delve into the origins of the shirt with the unusual name.
The shirt is named after the small town of Henley-on-Thames in England, known primarily as the location of the Henley Royal Regatta. Rowing competitions have been held there since 1839, and it is from this date that the history of the Henley shirt begins. In the 19th century, rowers preferred to wear a lightweight cotton shirt without a collar under their vests, fastened with a few buttons: it did not restrict movement and allowed the body to breathe during strenuous activities. The popularity of this style was not high: it was known and worn only by rowers and those associated with the sport. Teams would exchange shirts after competitions (as still happens, for example, in soccer) — thus the shirt became a symbol of rowing.
For a long time, the henley was exclusively part of the uniform and did not appear in men’s wardrobes. It is believed that this item made its first appearance in the fashion scene in the 1970s thanks to Ralph Lauren. Journalist Michael Gross, author of Lauren’s biography, recalls how the designer stumbled upon a henley shirt. It caught his eye when a New York salesman offered Ralph to try on a vintage shirt, a piece of sports uniform from England. Ralph Lauren said: “This is a new type of shirt” — and launched production of henleys under his own brand.
Today, you can find a henley shirt in the collection of almost any brand. They are known for their comfort and versatility, and the royal history and associations with preppy style do not harm their image. This shirt can be used as an undergarment, for example, worn under a chunky knit sweater or cardigan with a shawl collar. Additionally, it can be worn as a standalone piece by pairing it with jeans or casual trousers.