Henley shirts from Pakistan are sourced by fashion retailers, outdoor and lifestyle brands, promotional buyers and workwear distributors across the USA, UK, EU and Australia. The primary specification decisions are placket type (woven placket for structured corporate and workwear positioning; self-fabric for casual fashion; contrast placket for branded and lifestyle programmes), button count (2-button casual/summer; 3-button standard; 4-button workwear), fabric construction and GSM (single jersey 160–180 GSM for spring/summer; French terry 260–320 GSM for autumn/winter), and 100% cotton versus 60C/40P CVC (cotton-dominant blend for minimum shrinkage in programme-wash workwear). Pakistan produces all these variants with lead times of 30–45 days bulk production from PP approval — the same knitwear mills that supply T-shirt and polo programmes.
Step 1 — Placket and Button Specification
Placket options: woven placket (separate woven fabric strip sewn into the neckline opening — structured, clean finish), self-fabric placket (same knit as body — softer, more casual), contrast placket (contrasting colour or texture — used in fashion and branded programmes). Button count: 2-button is casual/summer; 3-button is the fashion standard; 4-button is workwear and utility. Button material: corozo (premium), horn-effect (mid-tier), plastic (promotional). Specify button diameter (18–22mm typical).
Step 2 — Fabric and GSM by Season
| Season | Fabric | GSM | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring/Summer | Single jersey / slub jersey | 140–180 | USA, UK, EU, Australia |
| Transition / all-season | Waffle knit / pointelle | 180–240 | USA, UK, EU |
| Autumn/Winter | French terry / thermal | 220–320 | USA, UK, EU, Canada, Russia |
| Year-round (uniform) | Interlock / heavy jersey | 200–280 | USA, UK, Middle East |
Step 3 — OEM Seasonal Collection Development
Seasonal collection development starts with a material brief: fibre content, GSM target, colourway (Pantone references), fit silhouette (regular, slim, relaxed) and placket/button specification per style. Development lead time from brief to development sample: 4–6 weeks. From DS approval to PP sample: 2–3 weeks. From PP approval to bulk delivery: 45–60 days (knitwear). Plan seasonal collection development 5–7 months ahead of in-store date for new styles; 3–4 months for carryover constructions.
Step 4 — Certification Requirements
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is required for EU and UK retail. GOTS certification for any organic cotton claims. BSCI or Sedex for factory social compliance. WRAP for US market buyers. GRS for recycled fibre content claims in sustainable programmes. Confirm certification scope in the sourcing quote form.
Step 5 — Sampling and Approval
Henley shirts require a development sample to confirm placket construction, button attachment and fabric hand. Submit written comments with photographs on the DS to minimise revision rounds. The PP sample must be in bulk fabric (not substituted). Button attachment pull test: minimum 50N pull without detachment — specify this requirement in the PP approval note.
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Disclaimer: This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal, customs or compliance advice. Always verify requirements against your buyer specification, applicable regulations and your destination market before making commercial decisions.