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. 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. 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. Merz b. Schwanen ships from Germany. If you’re looking for other places to buy Merz, try: Franklin & Poe (USA), Self Edge (USA), Burg & Schild (Germany), Maplestore (Australia), Lost & Found (Canada), Son of a Stag (UK)

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) 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. 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. 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)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)

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. 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. 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.

MOST POPULAR ON DAPPERED

Other PBJ henleys to consider: Hemp Blend Henley (with horizontal stripes) available in Indigo x Blue and Indigo x Red