9 of the Best Henley Shirts We Found Under $80

Did you know that before Ralph Lauren got his hands on a vintage henley shirt, they were used almost exclusively as underwear? It makes sense when you think about it though — because henleys are some of the most comfortable everyday shirts you can find.

Thanks to Mr. Lauren popularizing the style for menswear, we have dozens of great options for stylish henleys today.

So allow us to share our favorite henley shirts for men in every category, from lightweight to heavy-duty and everywhere in between.

Here’s our quick list of our stand-out options

If you want our overall faves, I’d go with one of these three. But we get more nuanced with the other options in this buying guide, so make sure to check out all our picks!

Our Picks for the Best Men’s Henley Shirts

We think the following henleys represent the best of the best in what’s available today (at a reasonable price-to-quality ratio), and we hope you’ll agree.

Great No-Frills Henley: GAP Slub Cotton Henley

When you just want a simple henley that looks great without having to spend a ton (it’s a T-shirt with a button placket, I mean, c’mon), it’s hard to go wrong with GAP.

GAP’s menswear finds have surprised me lately. Nothing revolutionary, but if you’re looking for well-designed standards like denim, T-shirts, OCBDs, etc. in a classic, flattering fit, GAP most likely has it.

Same goes for their henleys. 100% slub cotton, straight cut, relaxed fit. And GAP is always running some sort of promo, so you can probably find this for 30-40% off pretty regularly.

J.Crew also has a great short sleeve garment dyed henley, but depending on when you’re reading this, they may be sold out and (hopefully) restocking soon.

Good Long Sleeve Option: J.Crew Garment Dyed Henley 

J. Crew is one of our favorite go-to brands for well-designed staples, and their garment-dyed henleys definitely don’t disappoint. 

Available in both short and long sleeve versions, they’re made from a textured and eye-catching slub cotton that comes in around 10 colors. The garment-dyed treatment means they’ll fade naturally over time, creating unique twists on the original coloration.

And at the price they’re offered at, it’s completely reasonable to grab a few colors of both the short sleeve and the long sleeve versions.

Premium Lightweight Option: HNLY Leblon

HNLYLA specializes in one thing — henleys — and let me tell you, they do a fantastic job with every one of their garments. By making all of their henleys in Los Angeles from certified organic cotton, they guarantee that every detail is picture-perfect. 

For a great example of this attention to detail, take a look at their Leblon henley. It’s made from 100% organic cotton, with a slub texture that really makes the fabric pop.

Then each shirt is garment-dyed and pre-shrunk, for a unique look and broken-in feel from day one.

Round that out with vintage-finished metal buttons, and you have what’s probably the best lightweight henley around.

Best Everyday Henley: Everlane Long Sleeve Henley

The Everlane Long Sleeve Henley is classic, but also distinct in a way that doesn’t compromise its versatility.

The subtle texturing on the cotton surface gives it character without being loud, or even changing the shirt’s basics status.

Meanwhile, all of the colorways are neutral and easy to pair with any pair of pants, from jeans to chinos, to even suit trousers.

Plus, cotton slub is super hard-wearing—it’s why it’s often used on upholstery.

Another cool quality about this shirt is that Everlane makes it using eco-conscious cotton that’s made with little tilling and renewable energy.

Best Henleys for Staying Warm: Freenote Cloth American 13 oz. Knit Henley at Huckberry

The American 13 oz. Knit Henley by Freenote Cloth looks as durable as it actually is. It has that heavy weave that subtly lightens towards any stitching, which gives the surface a denim-esque aesthetic. It almost looks like really sharp workwear.

The heavy and handsomely worn-in look is balanced out with details like a classic-fit silhouette and those chic mother-of-pearl buttons—from Italy, by the way!

Despite its tough-as-nails build, this shirt is constructed by stitching the raw edges directly together (otherwise known as flat-locking), which gives you as much movement as a lighter shirt.

Best Wool Henley: Taylor Stitch Heather Merino Waffle Henley

The Taylor Stitch Henley is made of 100% merino wool, meaning it’s naturally temperature-regulating, providing both insulation and breathability.

Even more, that thick waffled look has an autumnal sophistication about it.

Visually, it’s a good balance of class and ruggedness. I’ve even seen this henley paired elegantly with a nice fall suit jacket, chinos, and service boots.

It’s as if Taylor Stitch took the pragmatic design of a long-sleeve thermal undershirt, and remixed it into a stylish and refined top that can be worn as a sweater over a shirt, or on its own—remember, merino is also odor-resistant.

Best for Tall Guys: Public Rec Go-To Long Sleeve Henley

If you’re over 6 feet tall, you definitely know the trouble of finding shirts whose hems fall at the right place on your body. This is often especially true with henleys, where their modern athletic fits mean even less material to work with.

Public Rec’s Go-To Long Sleeve Henley is the answer for tall guys looking for henleys that fit comfortably. Their relaxed fits have enough length to keep you covered while you’re reaching up into cupboards.

But aside from that, they’re also incredibly comfortable, with flat-lock stitching and moisture-wicking materials to keep you at just the right temperature.

Super Soft: Banana Republic Soft Wash Henley

The Banana Republic Soft Wash Henley is an effortlessly handsome shirt thanks to its lightweight softness.

It’s the kind of henley that you can wear with purposely “unfinished” looks, like when you wear loafers without socks, or when you have one or two extra buttons undone on your shirt.

The curved hem definitely adds to this style, while also making it easier to access your pant pockets.

This shirt is made of 100% organic cotton that’s been washed, and rewashed (among other processes), resulting in a gently worn-in and cushy yet light feel.

Looks Great On Its Own: Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Henley

Just like the Mott & Bow henley featured above, Buck Mason’s Pima Curved Hem Henley is super soft and comfortable.

But its elongated curved hem puts it in a special category: Wearing this shirt will make you look taller and slimmer, as the hem falls in a way that will accentuate your height.

The shirt is available in seven earth tone colors that play well with a wide variety of skin tones (but black is always a safe go-to).

And a four-button placket and side seam construction give it a fit that can be customized and tailored to whatever look you’re going for.

What’s Next?

Adding a few henleys to your wardrobe is a great step to take towards getting that minimal, casual-cool look.

But for a fuller look at where they fit into your outfits, check out our guide to men’s winter fashion. We break down everything you need to know to look your best no matter how cold it gets outside.

What’s your favorite henley from our list? Let us know by hitting us up on Facebook or Instagram.