A Henley shirt is an open collar pullover top, characterized typically by a rectangular neckline, a square collar and typically having around 2 to 5 buttons. It basically is just a normal collar polo shirt with the exception that it has a removable pre-buttoned round collar. They are extremely popular amongst the British middle class youth. Originating from the collar collars of fishermen’s boats, they gained popularity in the United Kingdom and have now been enjoying a revival as a fashion wear in the United States.
The great thing about wearing a Henley shirt with a suit or other formal attire is that you can have a simpler look with just the three buttons undone, which again makes it easy for you to accessorize your outfit. In addition, the classic look and feel of a Henley shirt also lends itself very well to pairing with other informal outfits like tweed skirts or jeans. Buttons down all the way to the shoe-tie knot to create a neat, professional look. One great thing about the buttoned down designs is that even if they are buttoned up all the way, they are still casual and comfortable. On the other hand, if they are buttoned all the way down but with the pocket flaps open, they tend to be more dressy and informal looking.
One of the best ways to wear a Henley shirt with a casual outfit is to wear a plain colored cotton or polyester blazer overtop. A dark colored cotton or polyester blazer, with either a light or dark stripe or checkerboard pattern going across it, works best when pairing it with a solid colored cotton or polyester pants, jeans, or a vest. If you are wearing a solid colored top beneath the jacket, make sure you choose one that compliments the color of the jacket. Plain colored cotton or polyester blazer is going to be too casual and not complement your casual outfit at all.
To complete the look of the Henley shirt and casual attire, make sure you have on some great pair of winged slippers. The Henley shirt and winged footwear combination are so versatile that it can go with practically any casual outfit, whether you want to go with a t-shirt and jeans combo or even a skirt and top. For a really cool and timeless look, wear your favorite sports jersey or even a simple tee shirt underneath the winged footwear. If you prefer not to wear shoes, you could always add some fancy socks, such as hosiery or even some cute boots. For the ultimate in comfort, wear your favorite loose jeans bottoms underneath the winged style.
The last step in the layering process is to layer your accessories. One of the most important aspects of the henley look is how well you choose your accessories. The Henley shirt and casual clothing combination are all about layers – from your neckline to your base layer (usually a thin sleeveless top), everything must be layered so that your outfit looks tailored and coordinated. If you’re wearing an untucked shirt with a v-neck pullover, your accessories simply need to be variations of the same color.
Accessories for proper layering of a Henley shirt are usually found in the same place as your favorite shoes or t-shirts: the three-button placket. The three-button placket can be styled either long or short and can be worn with either a t-shirt or a skirt. Because the button is usually located in the middle of the placket, you can find many Henley shirts that have their button placed in the front or center, giving you the versatility you need. The most common colors for the three-button placket are black, navy blue, and white. It can also be worn with a tank top underneath, if you would prefer a more stripped down look.
