Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

The T-shirt's cool older cousin is here to stay.

Everyone has a defining henley shirt moment. Maybe yours involved watching a grease-stained, taciturn Ryan Gosling cut down everyone that isn't Carey Mulligan in Drive. Maybe it involved watching Kanye West rock any number of versions while doing a string of internet-breaking press runs in the early 2010s. (Were we ever so young?) Maybe it involved watching your old man tinker with the leaky faucet in the bathroom before throwing in the towel—literally—and finally calling a plumber. Or, hell, maybe it involved reading this here story right now!

Either way, we've all got one: the moment that first made you think, Damn, I should really buy a henley. This is because the henley is far more than a standard tee with a few buttons added in for visual interest (or, for that matter, a polo with the collar lopped off). No, sir. To dismiss it as such would be a grave disservice to notable henley-wearers around the world—Gosling, West, and your father figure very much included. The henley earned its reputation as a go-to layer for men as varied as the three above through its sheer versatility, sure, but also because it boasts a flattering design even the most ardent T-shirt devotee can get behind. Which makes it an ideal foundational piece to build any cold weather outfit around, whether you're rocking it solo with the heat cranked up indoors or as a base layer beneath all your puffiest winter finery.

So to any and all henley novices out there: Welcome to your moment. Relish it. You really only get one. To help make sure you don't screw it up, here are 22 of the best henley shirts to buy right now. And for what it's worth, you might want to make like Pops and call in the professionals to take a look at that sink. A good henley can do a lot, but even the best can't turn you into the handyman you always wished you were.

Everlane's henley is made out of a sturdy 100 percent cotton that offers peak coziness without compromising a bit on durability. 

Buck Mason made a name for itself selling perfectly cut tees with a flattering curved hem. Thankfully, the brand takes that same approach when it comes to its smash-hit henleys, signature curved hem and all.

An elevated take on an otherwise casual style that suddenly makes the henley look a whole lot more like a sweater than a tee. And all this from a brand that's best know for pants. Go figure!

Looking for a style you could conceivably work out in, but definitely won't? Look no further than an option from the leader of of elevated athletic wear, Lululemon.

Soft in feeling but sharp in look, this short-sleeve henley from Old Navy does what a good shirt should. By which we mean it'll flatter your arms and chest, go with just about everything in your closet, and do it all without breaking the bank.

The only henley noted connoisseur of good taste Action Bronson swears by. 

Need something casual but elevated to pair with your Levi's 505 and fresh new pair of white sneakers on a sunny day? This Abercrombie henley, fellas, is exactly the thing to reach for.

A thermal knit in a dusty shade of olive green that hearkens back to the style's historic popularity with U.S. military members across the globe. 

The cream, as the saying goes, rises to the top—especially when it's provided by Fear of God in the form of a cozy, oversize thermal henley.

Garment-dyed goodness courtesy of the brand that very seldom does things wrong. 

You know what's better than a henley shirt? A striped henley shirt.

This Warmknit henley, made by sweat experts Mack Weldon, is red-hot—and in more ways than one, too. Incorporating Thermolite technology, it's built to keep the heat in while remaining incredibly lightweight.

Cut from a soft, but substantial (body goals!) bamboo-blend fabric, this henley isn't just a warm layer for nippy nights; it'll also keep you looking cool throughout the rest of the year.

A top for a long day outdoors (or, like, curled up in front of the TV). Let's just say the inner lining of plush berber fleece is a game-changer.

If there is one name to know in the henley game, it is, without a doubt, Marine Layer, the maker of this double-knit, insulating, finely constructed—and super-soft—style.

This AllSaints henley is so pure that it should be canonized. 

The easiest way to trick your family and friends into thinking you've been working out at home throughout the past year? Rock a henley cut to flatter your biceps, no matter how long it's actually been since you did a single push-up. 

Scallops: always a treat, no matter how they're served.

Subtlety, more often than not, makes the most everlasting impact, and this here henley is proof of that credo.

The Kanye choice—or close to it. 

From the tapered sleeve to the slimming fit to the (most importantly) recycled cashmere, this henley is a must-have for cool days and nights.

If loving ribbed detailing is wrong, we don't wanna be right.