Henley shirts originated as uniform tops for rowing teams in Henley-on-Thames, England, and are distinguished by a buttoned placket. They can be made from various materials, have short or long sleeves, and are popular with larger men. They briefly went out of style but have become popular again.
The casual collarless Henley shirts that became very popular in the 1990s began as uniform tops worn by rowing teams in Henley-on-Thames, England. They are distinguished by their buttoned placket, which contains between two and six buttons. Many tend to be oversized, making them popular with larger men who appreciate roominess and better ventilation.
Henley shirts can be made from a variety of materials, but cotton or a blend of polyester and cotton is the most popular. Traditional shirts can be short, three-quarter, or long sleeved, depending on the season. In practice, they often look like a cross between a polo shirt and a casual collarless T-shirt, with the addition of the button placket to tie the neckline together.
Many Henley shirts are worn as an alternative to other team jerseys, such as T-shirts or polo shirts. Team logos or player numbers can be embroidered or printed on the jerseys just as easily as any other team jersey. The oversized quality also provides ease of movement and more ventilation of body heat. However, some sports teams find the extra buttons problematic during full contact events. It’s more common to find Henley shirts on professional rowers than rugby football players.
These shirts became popular mainly in the early 1990s, perhaps as an improvement on the traditional polo shirt. Buttons make it easy to put on and take off, and can be opened to provide more ventilation if necessary. Henley shirts can be worn with almost any casual pants, especially blue jeans and khakis in appropriate shades. Many are designed with solid colors, but some feature stripes or complementary color schemes.
Henley shirts briefly went out of style in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but have since become popular again, especially with larger men who are looking for a smart casual shirt that isn’t as tight-fitting as a t-shirt and more accessible than a standard polo-style jersey. Many clothing stores offer regular sales on their shirt collections, especially during seasonal changes, so savvy shoppers can often find great deals by checking catalogs and websites for special deals and discounts.
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