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ISN'T DENIM amazing? It was initially created as a durable fabric that can hold up after a long day at the factory or ranch. Denim's unique layering process also creates beautiful fading textures, and it's rendered in mostly blue and dark colors to hide stains. Yet denim blues, especially when indigo is used, are so universally appealing that they can be styled with almost anything. No wonder jeans have become the most popular pants in the world.
Denim shirts for men however are much less appreciated, despite possessing all the same properties that make jeans so beloved. We’re here to correct that oversight and give denim shirts some love. Denim shirts are the ultimate go-to button-down shirt for guys to fall back on for an easy-to-layer, easy-to-style fit. Denim shirts can also help you pull off bolder pieces like a paisley blazer or patchwork spring pants. And a reliable denim shirt can even be worn with running shorts, tuxedo pants, and just about anything in between.
Best Dressed-Up Denim Shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren Classic-Fit Denim Shirt
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Best Denim Work Shirt
Todd Snyder Italian Two Pocket Utility Long Sleeve Shirt
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Best everyday denim shirt
Abercrombie Relaxed Denim Shirt Jacket
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Most versatile denim shirt
Buck Mason Denim One Pocket Shirt
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Best western denim shirt
Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt
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Best washed denim shirt
Taylor Stitch The Western Shirt
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Best Denim Jackets | Best Long-Sleeve T-Shirts | Best Dress Shirts | Best Rugby Shirts
Let’s break down the denim shirt a bit before we get into the list. There are four categories of denim shirts plus an open-ended fifth category for the exciting leftovers that don’t quite fit in with the others:
The Oxford Style: This is a traditional button-down Oxford shirt that usually, but not always, has a chest pocket and button-down collar.
The Western Style: This has snap buttons that are usually pearl but can be anything from black onyx to turquoise. It should have a pointed collar, yolk details on the front and back shoulder, and double chest pockets with snap button flaps. A detail to look for is that you want two or three snaps on each cuff and maybe one more on the wrist.
The Work Shirt: This is a traditional American-style work shirt that has two chest pockets. The left pocket will usually feature a pencil sleeve. The collar may have a tab, and bonus points if it does. These are traditionally cut a bit longer in the body but you don’t see that very often for styling purposes.
The Tailored Shirt: This is definitely the least common category because it is a bit counter-intuitive to make a tailored dress shirt but they look great. They have a spread collar, preferably a French placket, and are slim-cut.
The Wild Card: Designers are doing some exciting things with denim shirts these days and some of them just don’t fit into one of the above categories. We still love them all the same.
Ahead are the 30 best denim shirts for men that will go with just about everything.
The Essential Denim Shirt
Levi's Barstow Western Denim Shirt
The Essential Denim Shirt
Levi's Barstow Western Denim Shirt
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Countless menswear brands make denim western shirts, but there is just something so perfect about the Levi's Barstow button-up. Maybe it comes from the fact that Levi's invented denim so it just feels like they have the authority to say "this is thee denim shirt." We don't disagree.
Best Dressed-Up Denim Shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren Classic-Fit Denim Shirt
Best Dressed-Up Denim Shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren Classic-Fit Denim Shirt
Ralph Lauren, the man, has always intermingled denim and formalwear with a masterful touch. So his oxford style denim shirt is the ultimate way to match denim with elevated clothing. You can wear it with a suit and tie or throw it over your tank with a bathing suit for a day at the beach. It anchors any outfit.
Best Denim Work Shirt
Todd Snyder Italian Two Pocket Utility Long Sleeve Shirt
Best Denim Work Shirt
Todd Snyder Italian Two Pocket Utility Long Sleeve Shirt
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Todd Snyder has perfected the denim work shirt for this look. Pair it with any chino, over a plain white tee, and your favorite sneakers, and you're good to go.
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Best everyday denim shirt
Abercrombie Relaxed Denim Shirt Jacket
Abercrombie made a no frills, light blue denim button down shirt that's so simple, it's perfect. Try to come up with something that you couldn't wear this shirt with.. we'll wait.
Most versatile denim shirt
Buck Mason Denim One Pocket Shirt
Most versatile denim shirt
Buck Mason Denim One Pocket Shirt
Dyed just right, this slim-fit, Oxford-inspired button down denim shirt can be dressed up or down—however you wish. From the back, a box pleat elevated the whole fit for an office look. And since it’s washed for a lived-in facade, it’s casual enough for your Sunday fits.
best oxford denim shirt
J.Crew Midweight Denim Workshirt
best oxford denim shirt
J.Crew Midweight Denim Workshirt
J.Crew went with a little thicker denim on this oxford-style shirt. The extra heft feels like a good pair of jeans.
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Best western denim shirt
Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt
Best western denim shirt
Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt
Getting the buttons right on a snap button western shirt is crucial. Flint and Tinder understood the assignment, starting with great fasteners and building a fundamental western shirt around them.
Best washed denim shirt
Taylor Stitch The Western Shirt
Best washed denim shirt
Taylor Stitch The Western Shirt
The pointed flap pockets on this western shirt from Taylor Stitch are angled inward for a unique twist on the classic design. The white pearl buttons are a great finishing touch.
Best denim shirt on amazon
Wrangler Regular Fit Snap Shirt
Best denim shirt on amazon
Wrangler Regular Fit Snap Shirt
If there is a brand that can rival Levi's for claim to the Western Shirt Throne, it's Wrangler. Their signature "W" stitching on the chest pockets is just as much a part of the western shirt blueprint as the snap buttons.
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Best heavyweight denim shirt
Billy Reid Denim Shirt
Best heavyweight denim shirt
Billy Reid Denim Shirt
Billy Reid put a workwear spin on the western shirt by using solid brass hardware. It's a little heavier, and cost more, but it will age perfectly as the fabric grows a fine patina around it.
Most comfortable denim shirt
Banana Republic The Western Denim Shirt
Most comfortable denim shirt
Banana Republic The Western Denim Shirt
BP’s take on an old-fashioned denim ranch shirt, which is softer yet burlier, is great for anything from outdoor adventure to commute. You'll usually find them at country concerts and line dancing nights at your local honkey tonk.
Best stretch denim shirt
Brooks Brothers Regent Regular Fit Japanese Stretch Denim Shirt
Best stretch denim shirt
Brooks Brothers Regent Regular Fit Japanese Stretch Denim Shirt
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This oxford style denim shirt from Brooks Brothers has a bit of stretch in it for extra comfort and mobility.
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Best budget denim shirt
Port and Company Long Sleeve Value Denim Shirt
Port and Company made a simple, all-purpose denim shirt at an affordable price. Putting "value" in the title is an understatement with the amount of use you can get out of this shirt.
Warmest denim shirt
Orvis Lined Teton Denim Shirt
Warmest denim shirt
Orvis Lined Teton Denim Shirt
This workwear style denim shirt from Orvis has a fleece lining for extra warmth through the winter. The rivet buttons, like you would find on the waist of most jeans, are a nice little detail.
Best denim overshirt
L.L. Bean 1912 Heritage Lined Shirt Jacket
Best denim overshirt
L.L. Bean 1912 Heritage Lined Shirt Jacket
L.L. Bean winterized the denim work shirt by putting a fleece lining in it. It also doubles as a light jacket for fall and spring.
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Best untucked denim shirt
Madewell Denim Perfect Long-Sleeve Shirt
This is a slimmer fit and cut a bit higher in the waist than most oxford-style dress shirts for a casual look. I.e., it's meant to be worn untucked.
Best short-sleeve denim shirt
Express Denim Short Sleeve Shirt
Best short-sleeve denim shirt
Express Denim Short Sleeve Shirt
Jeans shirt isn’t exclusive to the long-sleeve button-downs. Express has a short-sleeve take, available in several washed, for all your summer denim fits, allowing you to look rugged and feel cool at the same time.
Most rugged denim shirt
Outerknown Asbury Denim Workshirt
Outerknown is known for high-quality classics. They built a prototypical denim work shirt to the highest standard here that'll only get better with age.
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best tailored denim shirt
Mavi Rio Denim Shirt
best tailored denim shirt
Mavi Rio Denim Shirt
Mavi updated the western shirt design by cutting it into a slimmer, more tailored fit. They also swapped out the pearl snaps for these cool nail head buttons.
Best breathable denim shirt
Bonobos Hemp Denim Overshirt
Bonobos’ denim shirt is rendered in the form of a chore coat to function as both a solo layer or a shacket. But the best part about it is its cotton-hemp blend which is breathable and durable.
Brad Lanphear
Contributing Commerce Style Writer
Brad is a contributing style commerce editor. After a decade working for menswear brands including J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, Brad switched from selling fashion to writing about it. His words have appeared in Huckberry, Heddels, and The Manual.
Maverick Li
Former Style and Commerce Editor
Maverick Li is a former Style & Commerce Editor of Men’s Health, where he covered clothing, footwear, watches, and grooming. He was previously the Assistant Commerce Editor at Esquire.
