The henley sits in an interesting spot in a man’s wardrobe. More considered than a plain tee, less committed than a button down. When it’s white and well made, it does a specific job better than almost anything else: it makes a casual outfit look like you thought about it without looking like you tried. The problem is most white henleys fail on at least one count. The fabric goes thin and clingy after three washes, or the placket puckers, or the fit is just slightly off in a way that’s hard to name but impossible to ignore. We’ve been looking specifically at options where the weight is right, the neckline sits properly, and the cut works whether you’re wearing it tucked into chinos or layered under an overshirt. White is unforgiving in ways that navy and grey are not. These are the ones that hold up to that scrutiny and earn their place at the front of the drawer.