Z Supply Liya Henley Tee: Honest Review After Wearing Them

A basic tee with one small detail that makes it more interesting than it should be.

I own too many basic tees. I know this. But the Z Supply Liya Henley Tee caught my attention because it promised something slightly different from the standard crew neck: a henley neckline with a few buttons that adds visual interest without trying too hard. I have worn it for six weeks, and here is whether that small design choice is enough to justify the price. For my overall thoughts on Z Supply, see my Is Z Supply Worth It? Honest Review After Four Months and Eight Pieces.

Fabric Details

The Liya is made from a cotton-modal blend, roughly 60/40 based on the tag. The hand feel is soft and smooth, noticeably nicer than a standard 100% cotton tee. Modal gives the fabric a subtle sheen and a drape that cotton alone cannot achieve. The weight is on the lighter side of medium, thin enough for summer but substantial enough that it is not sheer.

I did the transparency test in natural light: in the white colorway I bought, you can faintly see a dark bra underneath. A nude bra was invisible. The darker colors Z Supply offers would almost certainly be fully opaque. The fabric has a slight stretch from the modal content, maybe 5% give, enough that it recovers from stretching and does not bag out through the day.

Fit and Sizing

I am 5’7″, 140 pounds, and I took a medium. The fit is relaxed through the body with about two inches of ease at the bust and a gentle A-line shape that flares slightly from the ribs to the hem. It does not cling to the midsection, which I prefer in a casual tee. The body length is 26 inches from shoulder to hem, landing about three inches below my waistband.

The henley neckline has five small buttons, three of which I leave unbuttoned for a relaxed V-shaped opening. The neckline sits about two inches below my collarbone when partially unbuttoned, which is flattering without being revealing. The short sleeves hit mid-bicep and have a small rolled cuff detail that is sewn in place so it stays put.

Compared to other Z Supply tops I own, the Liya runs true to the brand’s standard sizing. No surprises. For the full sizing breakdown, check the Z Supply Size Chart.

Six Weeks of Wear

I wore the Liya Henley about three times a week, making it one of the most-worn pieces in my closet during this testing period. It served as my default “looks nicer than a regular tee” option for coffee runs, casual workdays, and weekend errands. The henley neckline genuinely makes a difference here: it reads slightly more intentional than a crew neck, which means I felt put-together without any extra effort.

Comfort was excellent. The cotton-modal blend breathes well, and on warmer spring days in the low 70s, I never felt overheated. The fabric dries quickly after light sweating, which I noticed on a couple of longer walks. The relaxed fit means no restriction through the arms or torso.

I washed it seven times during the six weeks, always cold water, tumble dry low. The fabric softened progressively, reaching peak softness around wash four. Color retention in the white was good, no yellowing or graying. The shape held: no stretching at the neckline, no sagging in the body, no curling at the hem. The sewn-in sleeve cuff detail stayed crisp through all seven washes.

The Honest Negative

The Liya Henley Tee retails for about $40, which is steep for a basic tee, even one with a modal blend and nice details. I can buy a similar cotton-modal henley from Target for $15 that fits nearly as well. The Z Supply version feels slightly nicer in hand and has a better drape, but whether that difference is worth $25 is a genuine question I cannot answer for everyone. For me, the answer is barely. The quality is there, but the value proposition is thin when comparable alternatives exist at half the price.

I also noticed one minor construction issue: the button placket has a slight wave to it, a subtle rippling that suggests the fabric was not perfectly aligned when the placket was sewn. It is only visible when the buttons are fully done up, and since I wear mine partially unbuttoned it is not an issue in practice, but it is an imperfection I would not expect at this price.

Styling Notes

The Liya works as a standalone piece or as a layering base. Under a cardigan or open flannel, the henley neckline peeks out and adds that extra bit of detail. With jeans and sneakers, it is an effortless casual look. Tucked into a midi skirt, it reads smart-casual for a brunch or laid-back office environment.

The white version pairs with everything, obviously, but I think a darker color like olive or charcoal would be more practical for regular wear and would hide the slight transparency issue entirely. If I buy another Liya, it will be in a darker shade.

You can find the Liya Henley Tee on Z+Supply+Liya+Henley+Tee. on Amazon For more Z Supply pieces, see my Z Supply Clothing Review.

The Verdict

The Z Supply Liya Henley Tee is a well-made basic with a design detail that elevates it above a standard tee. The cotton-modal fabric is soft, drapes well, and holds up to repeated washing. The fit is relaxed and flattering. My hesitation is purely about price: at $40, it is competing with basics that cost significantly less and deliver 80% of the same experience. If you are building a capsule wardrobe and want basics that feel premium, the Liya earns its place. If you are price-sensitive, similar options exist for less.

FAQ

Is the Z Supply Liya Henley Tee see-through?

In white, a dark bra is faintly visible. A nude bra is invisible. Darker colors should be fully opaque. The fabric is thin but not sheer.

Does the Z Supply Liya Henley run true to size?

Yes. I took my standard Z Supply medium and the fit was relaxed and consistent with other tops from the brand. No need to size up or down unless you want a specific fit.

How should you wash the Z Supply Liya Henley Tee?

Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. It holds up well to repeated washing and actually gets softer over time. The shape and color stayed true through seven washes in my testing.