Other PBJ henleys to consider: Hemp Blend Henley (with horizontal stripes) available in Indigo x Blue and Indigo x Red 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 Well-Made Essentials » Henleys Buying Guide to Well-Made and Essential Henleys Every Denimhead Should Consider

Lightweight, raglan and off-white are all key to the James Bond look — and to styles shown by Rag & Bone, Everlane, Allsaints and Tom Ford — but there are several other ways to wear this long-forsaken classic. Here, we’ve distilled the winners from the battle of the brands. In the kingdom of shirts, the henley is the baron of brawn. It’s the most rugged of the lot. It's Ryan Gosling in Drive, his white henley stained with grease at the auto shop; it's cool and effortless, nonchalant and casual, the easiest thing in your wardrobe to shrug on and style. 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. You might already be incorporating a henley or two into your looks. If this is an area of your wardrobe where you’ve settled for mass-market, the henley is probably not doing much more than keeping you warm (and even that might be a stretch). Provided it can do this, it can look amazing under soft twills or hard denims. It can join forces with just about any well-made long-sleeved top, or it can be a stand-alone piece on warmer days. However you wear it and whatever you pair it with, you’ll be glad that you spent a bit of time (and a bit of money) finding a good one.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.

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. 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 Why are henleys called henleys? You might suspect that the name has English roots, and you’d be correct. Early in the nineteenth century, competitive rowers in the small Oxfordshire town of Henley on Thames adopted short-sleeved versions of the half-buttoned shirts. Each year, at the Henley Royal Regatta, it became practice for the losing squad to give their shirts to the victors. 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. Other Real McCoy’s henleys to consider: USN Wool Henley Undershirt (warm and military-grade tough), Double Diamond Eyelet Knit Henley (looks a thousand years old brand new), Double Diamond Wale Knit Henley (micro-rib classic)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. Other Freenote henleys to consider: The 13 oz. Henley is also available in Faded Blue, Midnight, and Rust 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) Okayama Denim ships from Japan. If you’re looking for other places to buy Loop & Weft, try Blue in Green (USA), Those That Know (UK)

Clutch Café ships from the UK. If they’re sold out, or if you’re looking for other places to buy Pherrow’s, try: Son of a Stag (UK), directly from Pherrow’s (Japan), Maplestore (Australia) For the henley to be truly adaptable, it needs to be well made. The cuffs keep their shape, and the collar doesn’t wilt like a slice of processed cheese. For the henley to work its magic, it needs to have a little bit of heft, and it needs to be prepared to go the distance with us. 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. Loop & Weft is relatively new to the scene. They might not have the vintage bonafides of a Merz, but what they do have is a clear passion for their craft. Founded by denim veteran Ryota Seguchi in 2011, the company started with a clear vision: assemble a line of meticulously constructed cotton garments that will pair perfectly with raw denim.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. 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) 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. 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. Clutch Café ships from the UK. If you’re looking for other places to buy PBJ, try: Corlection (Australia), Okayama Denim (Japan), Rivet & Hide (UK), DC4 (Germany), Self Edge (USA), Second Sunrise (Sweden)