The short answer: The Kensington Ribbed Knit Henley (£59.00) is a long-sleeve henley in a fine ribbed knit of polyester and viscose, with a three-button placket and a slim fit through the body and sleeve. It comes in five colours — Black, Slate Blue, Oxblood, Forest Green and Oat — in sizes S–XXL, with garment measurements published for every size. The record's own line for it is "understated, never underdressed": a ribbed knit henley that reads smarter than a T-shirt.
WARDLEY London is our own store — prices and product facts below are taken from our own listings.
What is a henley?
A henley is a collarless top with a short buttoned placket at the neck — between a T-shirt and a polo, in the product record's own words. It has no collar and no full button front; the interest sits at the neckline. The Kensington is the knitted, long-sleeve version: a fine ribbed knit rather than a flat jersey, cut slim rather than boxy.
How we chose these: the henleys compared below were chosen on facts published on their own product records — price, sizes offered, cloth exactly as stated, fit, placket and published garment measurements where they exist — from our own product data. Where a record publishes no care instruction or no full measurement table, the comparison says so instead of estimating.
How does the Kensington fit, and what size should you order?
The Kensington is a slim fit through the body and sleeve, in a fine ribbed knit with natural stretch, so it follows your shape without clinging — that is the record's own description. If you prefer a relaxed look, size up: that is the record's own sizing advice. It comes in sizes S–XXL, and the garment measurements as supplied by the maker, measured flat, are:
| Size | Length (cm) | Chest (cm) | Shoulder (cm) | Sleeve (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 67 | 102 | 44 | 63 |
| M | 69 | 106 | 45.5 | 64 |
| L | 71 | 111 | 47.3 | 65 |
| XL | 73 | 116 | 49.1 | 66 |
| XXL | 75 | 121 | 50.9 | 67 |
Measured flat, as supplied by the maker; allow 1–3 cm, per the record. Because the fit is slim, the chest column is the one to check first if you are between sizes.
What is the Kensington made of?
The Kensington is a polyester and viscose rib knit — that is the composition exactly as the record states it, with no percentages published and none stated here. The knit is fine and ribbed in a solid colour, with natural stretch. It is a knit, not a cotton jersey: for the cotton version of the same idea, the Stepney Long Sleeve Cotton Henley (£29.00) is in slub-texture cotton jersey.
How do you wear a ribbed knit henley?
Wear it the way the record styles it: with pleated trousers and loafers when it needs to be smart enough for dinner, or untucked over dark denim at the weekend. The three-button placket is what carries it — it gives the top more character than a crew neck, so the simplest outfits read as deliberate. Leave the placket open over a plain tee for a layered neckline, or buttoned for a cleaner line under a jacket.
- Black: best for evenings — the dinner route in the record's own styling, with pleated trousers and loafers.
- Oxblood and Forest Green: best for dark denim — the record's weekend route, untucked over dark denim.
- Oat and Slate Blue: best for lighter outfits — the two paler colourways in the range of five.
How does the Kensington compare with the Stepney and the Burnham?
All three are WARDLEY henleys; they differ in cloth, sleeve, fit and price, on their own records:
| Product | Price | Sizes | Cloth | Fit and placket | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington Ribbed Knit Henley | £59.00 | S–XXL, Black / Slate Blue / Oxblood / Forest Green / Oat | Polyester and viscose rib knit (no percentages published) | Slim fit, long sleeve, three-button placket | A henley smart enough for dinner |
| Stepney Long Sleeve Cotton Henley | £29.00 | S–XXL, Taupe / Olive / Black / White | Cotton jersey, slub texture | Regular fit, long sleeve with curved hem, four-button placket | Everyday wear, alone or under an overshirt |
| Burnham Cotton-Linen Henley Shirt | £29.00 | S–XXL, Navy / Black / Stone | Cotton-linen blend | Regular, relaxed fit, short sleeve, three-button placket, chest pocket | Warm days and holidays |
The short version: choose the Kensington (£59.00) for the knitted, slim version — the one the record calls smart enough for dinner, with a full measurement table to check the fit against; choose the Stepney (£29.00) for a regular-fit cotton jersey henley for everyday wear; choose the Burnham (£29.00) when the weather is warm and a short sleeve is the point.
How do you care for the Kensington?
No care instruction is published on the Kensington's product record, and none is invented here — follow the care label on the garment itself when it arrives. For comparison, the records of the other two henleys above do publish theirs: the Stepney is hand wash only, and the Burnham is machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle.
What are the delivery and returns terms?
The Kensington (£59.00) comes with free tracked UK delivery: dispatch in 1–2 working days, delivery in 3–5 working days from order. Returns run for 30 days on unworn items, and return postage is free on UK orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is a henley?
A collarless top with a short buttoned placket at the neck — between a T-shirt and a polo. The Kensington's placket has three buttons.
How does the Kensington fit?
Slim through the body and sleeve, in a fine ribbed knit with natural stretch. If you prefer a relaxed look, size up — the record's own advice — and check the garment measurements above before ordering.
What is the Kensington made of?
A polyester and viscose rib knit, exactly as the record states it. No fibre percentages are published for this product.
Is a care instruction published for the Kensington?
No care instruction appears on the Kensington's product record. Follow the care label on the garment itself.
More in the same spirit: our guide to what a henley shirt is and how to wear one, our knitwear essentials for autumn and winter and the knitwear collection.
All WARDLEY orders come with free tracked UK delivery: dispatch 1–2 working days, delivery 3–5 working days, with 30-day returns on unworn items.
