It Girls in London and Paris Agree: This Timeless Top Trend Makes Jeans, Shorts and Skirts Look Chicer
Instead of a white tee, the coolest girls on my FYP are wearing Henley tops. Scroll to see why.
Every so often, I happen across a trend that has (more often than not) passed me by with barely a second glance. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, if you will. And that almost happened with the henley T-shirt. Having spotted the style quietly cropping up on my social media feed this summer, each time I liked, smiled and scrolled on. After all, a Henley feels hardly like a trend at all. Instantly distinguishable by its collarless shape and neat vertical button placket, it's been a wardrobe staple for years, one that, back in the ‘80s, women "borrowed from the boys" and made their own thanks to Ralph Lauren.
That being said, preppy Americana is not where my mind goes when I think of the humble Henley. For me, at least, ‘00s pop culture is where it truly shone. See Bella Swan’s brooding rotation of moody grey Henley tops in Twilight, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore's fitted thermals on Gilmore Girls and, lest we forget, Lindsay Lohan post-"plastification" in Mean Girls.
Quietly luxurious with a subtle moneyed air during a time filled with more-is-maximalism, the Henley's appeal lies within its simplicity. With a relaxed yet polished energy, stylish dressers are gravitating towards this silhouette to create a carefree shape which feels inherently cool. Whether styled with straight-leg jeans, lace-trim shorts or a breezy skirt, the Henley elevates without distracting from the rest of your outfit. And as we edge ever closer to autumn and (hopefully) significantly cooler weather, I can see them layered under cardigans, jumpers and tank tops all over. Scroll to shop.
Shop the Henley T-Shirt Trend
This Zara iteration has blown up on my socials this week.
Style with linen shorts and ballet flats on a warmer day.
I'd never seen a version with full-length buttons until now.
This is a little sheer, so you can show off your best bra.
Forget layered T-shirts; we're layering Henleys.
I just know Bella Swan would have loved this warm brown version.
This is such a good price for a wool-blend top.
I love how it looks tucked into jeans too.
This has a relaxed, oversized fit.
Pre-layered.
You can never go wrong with fresh white.
Butter yellow is a new neutral.
