It’s not all yoga pants and vests at Lululemon. Having pretty much single-handedly started the athleisure movement, the Canadian gym clothing brand branched out into more conventional casualwear too. The label’s Fundamental Henley is made from soft cotton fabric with added Lycra for comfort and stretch, whether you’re perfecting your side plank or just milling around town at the weekend. Henley shirts are comfortable, practical, great for layering and good for all seasons. Unfortunately, following an explosion of contrast-collared versions unleashed upon the world by a men’s high-street retailer that shall remain nameless, the henley fell from favour dramatically among style-savvy guys from the late 2000s onwards.

Cuts is a favorite for a reason when it comes to guys who need a basics upgrade. Its tees and henleys always fit extremely well. We love this henley shirt because its fabric is soft and stretchy and its color options are unparalleled. The short-sleeve option is a nice change of pace from the brand’s fan-favorite long-sleeve henleys, too. The curved hem is also a great styling detail that flatters even guys who fall under the “Big and Tall” end of the spectrum because it elongates the torso. This rugged yet soft henley is a winner all around. The SPY team has reviewed countless products for our tech, fitness and style guides. But there’s one category we’ve invested more time into testing than any other, and that’s our search for the world’s best T-shirt brands. After exhaustively reviewing dozens of T-shirt brands, we believe we know this product category better than anyone. And that includes who makes the best henley shirts. Rugged yet refined: Take a short-sleeve henley shirt in a light color with a textured weave. Add your favorite summer-weight navy blazer, one with soft shoulders and no lining. Pair with light wash jeans and leather Chelsea boots.Known for its comfiness, the best henley T-shirts pair well with sneakers and men’s jeans or khakis, and its simplicity allows the shirt to be styled up or down depending on the situation. The great thing is, men’s henley shirts work especially well any time of year — a guy’s closet needs both long-sleeve and short-sleeve options. Today henley shirts often feature a slimmer cut than a regular T-shirt, which makes them perfect for layering, and are often made from a textured cotton, like a ribbed or waffle knit. Purchasing Considerations Historically, henley shirts were popular undergarments too, and it wasn’t until the late 1970s that they made the transition into being seen as a sort of T-shirt alternative. We currently offer 2 methods of delivery: Standard and Express (all deliveries are made from Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm). For solid basics at reasonable prices, there are few better options than Uniqlo. The Japanese high-street retailer is known for delivering well-fitting, well-built essentials like Oxford shirts and tees, but it even makes the odd henley shirt too. Styles change from season to season, but there tends to be a waffle or ribbed henley of some description in the collection. Usually they come in a classic fit, and offer great value for money.

Tecovas specializes in some of the coolest Western boots we’ve seen in some time, and they’ve also got a full lineup of apparel to go along with those boots. This henley is the definition of rugged, with 100% smooth Pima cotton construction to keep you cool, plus ribbed cuffs to keep those sleeves in place through the most grueling of tasks on your to-do list.

For a premium option, we’d encourage you to take a look at the henley shirts available from Tom Ford. The label is probably best known for its razor-sharp, form-flattering tailoring, but it’s just as good at producing everyday casualwear with a luxurious slant. Prices are naturally a tad higher than elsewhere, but if you’ve got the budget, a Tom Ford Henley is one of the best you can get. Thanks to its simplicity and low-profile fit, the henley shirt is extremely versatile and easy to style in a variety of ways. In warm weather it works great on its own in place of a traditional T-shirt, and can be worn with shorts and sneakers, or smartened up with trousers and casual shoes in the evening. This product is sourced via a mass balance system and therefore may not contain Better Cotton™. Visit bettercotton.org/learnmore for more information about mass balance. US-based Everlane is always a good option for fuss-free essentials. The brand’s Waffle Long-Sleeve Henley is made from 100% organic cotton and comes in three subtle shades for maximum versatility. There’s also the ReCashmere Henley, which is slightly pricier but is made from recycled Italian cashmere for zero waste and a luxuriously soft hand feel. Clean and classic: Take a short-sleeve henley. Roll the sleeves up a touch. Unbutton a button (or two). Pair with dark blue jeans and canvas high-top sneakers. Boom: Gosling mode activated.