Well-Made Essentials » Henleys Buying Guide to Well-Made and Essential Henleys Every Denimhead Should Consider Other Merz b. Schwanen henleys to consider: 206 Henley (fewer vintage details), 204 Henley (roomier version of the 206), TR206 Good Training Henley (sporting henley with Merz branding) With the basics, it’s all about the little things, the crucial little details that turn a henley from a disposable garment to an indispensable one. Here’s what to look for. What It’s Made of There should be considerable weight to the garment. This isn’t soft-as-silk cotton. Yes, it’s soft and comfortable, but it’s also a warmth-giving base layer. The knit should feel extremely breathable. A low-tension weave will be the mediating layer between your skin and the air around you. This breathability is key to temperature, which is key to comfort. Freenote Cloth ship from the USA. If they are sold out, or if you’re looking for other places to buy the brand, start with these: Franklin & Poe (US), American Classics London (UK), Stuff (Germany), Populess (Canada)

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. When not just any blue will do, it’s got to be Pure Blue Japan. They are the undisputed world champions when it comes to textured, vibrant blues. Though their reputation is largely based on their slubby and character-drenched denim, they’ve really upped their basic game in recent years. Their slubby tees and longsleeves have leapt off the shelves, and it’s not hard to see why when you get up close with one.Okayama Denim ships from Japan. If you’re looking for other places to buy Studio D’Artisan, try: Redcast Heritage (Spain), Corlection (Australia), Self Edge (USA), Rivet & Hide (UK), Son of a Stag (UK) For Size/Fit Perspective: Note that I’m 6’2″ / 195 lbs, and all henleys shown below are a size Large. Also, the watch is a Seiko SND253 on an after market leather strap. Bought it for the slide rule and to keep all the Rolex wearing consultants I run into on their toes. Almost always worn unbuttoned, the two ends of the round collar, when loose, lend a distinctively rugged touch to any look—but especially if your style is steeped in vintage workwear. Great henleys are made to last. Their makers expect that they will be worn next to the skin, and worn over and over and over again. You can feel this in the cuffs, which don’t relax, even after multiple washes. They keep going, and they keep fitting great. Rub the face of the garment between your fingers. It shouldn’t feel thin or flimsy. At the same time, it shouldn’t be stiff or rough to the touch. It shouldn’t feel silky smooth either, but you should feel a strong desire to put the henley on and feel it next to your skin.

Stuff ships from Germany. If they’re sold out, or if you’re looking for other places to buy Phigvel, try: Nakamuraya (USA), Lieutenant & Co (Australia), directly from Phigvel (Japan) The reasons for the shirt’s popularity are fairly obvious. Whether made of thin cotton or wool, it provides a warm base layer for cool mornings or evenings. When the day’s work properly begins, it can be unbuttoned and the sleeves (if long) can be rolled up to the elbows. It can be worn as a base layer or as a stand-alone shirt. If you want the best selection, try one that specialises in vintage workwear. They’re the ones most likely to have at least a few of the well-made and essential henleys we’ve included on this list.The differences between a well-made henley and a barely passable one might not be immediately apparent, but once you know what to look for, you’ll have no trouble telling the pretenders from the genuine well-made article. 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. They’re a pillar of comfortable and fashionable looks, and we’re going to help you find one that will be the first thing you reach for in the morning. Well-Made Henleys Are Timeless Finally, the colour is important here. A crisp, white henley is a must for some folks, but we’re keener on off-whites, vibrant blues, and textured greys. You won’t see any striped patterns on the list below, but this doesn’t mean that patterns are out. The best makers, though, tend to work their magic with solid colours and simple palettes.