Cowboys originally wore Denim shirts, but now they’re a wardrobe essential for a very good reason. They’re versatile, durable and can be worn with almost anything in your wardrobe. Denim shirts aren’t just for casual wear either. Denim shirts go with chinos, a tie or even wool pants. In my Best Denim Shirts for Men guide I’m going to show you everything you need to know about men’s denim shirts. From how to wear them, what colors to get, how to take care of them, and where to buy them.
But first let’s take a look at my top 10 picks.
All of the denim shirts in the buying guide below are shirts that you will be able to keep in your wardrobe for years. No matter your budget or style I’ve provided an option for you below. First up is the J. Crew Lightweight Denim Work Shirt. Great material, great coloring, and nicely weighted fabric
The J. Crew Lightweight Denim Workshirt ($75) is perfect for everyday wear. It has a more traditional cut that’s roomier in the body and sleeves. Although slim cut shirts are all the rage, if you’re going to doing manual labor or just relaxing around your home, you’re going to want something that allows for a lot of movement. Because these shirts are lightweight, they’re just not relegated to the winter months. You can wear them in the warmer months and layered in the fall and winter. The shirt features a 100% cotton fabric, and a point collar and patch pockets
If you’re into fully traceable clothing, then you’ll want to take a look at the Asket The Denim Shirt ($125). They not only offer traditional wardrobe essentials made to perfection. They offer complete honesty and clarity on how they make their clothing. Their denim shirt is a great offering from a great company. They’ve stripped the traditional shirt of all unnecessary detailing and made it from a densely woven dyed material that will only improve with time. You can layer The Denim Shirt from Asket wear it as an overshirt. Additional features include 8.5 ounce denim. two wash color options, mother of pearl buttons, a box pleat, single-buttoned cuffs, and a front-left pocket.
The H&M Denim Shirt ($40) is our budget shirt on the list. Coming in at just under $40 it is definitely a bargain buy. This shirt features a washed denim, classic turn-down collar, front and cuff snap fasteners, a yoked back, chest pockets, and a rounded hem. An additional bonus, H&M included Elastane in the denim for a bit of stretch.
Taylor stitch is a company that utilizes crowdfunding to bring its clothing to market. One of their shirts that’s just completed the crowdfund is their Taylor Stitch The Cash Shirt in Selvage Denim ($TBD). Simply put you can wear this shirt every single day. Taylor Stitch constructed the shirt from a heavily washed mid-weight 2×1 selvage. This creates a softness that would normally take many wears. You’ll also be happy if you’re into conservation. To limit impact to the environment they recycle 95% of the water used in the process. Additional features include a California collar, a chest pocket with button flap, dyed to match cat’s eye buttons, selvage detailing on the front inside plackets, side gussets, and inside of cuffs.
If you like western denim shirts, but without all of the detailing, then you should take a hard look at the Shockoe Atelier Western Shirt ($175). This version of the western denim shirt, tones down the detailing while still keeping the feel. The shirt is features a 10oz slub denim from Kuroki Mills in Japan. Details include a hidden selvage placket, patch chest pockets, pearl snap closures, two-tone stitching, and a triple stitched back yoke. They use indigo dye in this shirt. Do not, I repeat do not put it in the dryer. You can machine wash in cold water on the gentle cycle, but make sure you hang or dry flat. Don’t ruin a great shirt.
This is another beautifully appointed minimalist western denim shirt. And of course it comes from one of the most iconic denim American companies. The Levis Barstow Western Shirt ($70) features a lot of the same details you’d expect in a traditional western denim shirt. These include a Western-style yoke, a collar with a front snap placket, chest pockets, and a snap front closure and cuffs. If you’re looking for a tailored look order true to size otherwise size up for a little more room.
If you’re looking for a simple, well-made denim shirt, the Gitman Vintage Dark Denim ($170) might be your best pick. It’s cut like a classic button-down. A slim tailored fit through the body, sleeves, and cuffs. The shirt utilizes an 8oz dark indigo denim. Pre-washing creates a softer look and minimizes shrinkage. And the fact it’s made in good ole US of A is another bonus.
One of my favorite French clothing companies is Drapeau Noir. They sale classic pieces with a little flare at great prices. Their Drapeau Noir Denim Shirt (120€) fits that description perfectly. Drapeau created a beautifully styled shirt featuring a 100% cotton fabric. Details include a button down collar, chest pocket, and mother of pearl buttons. To increase softness and decrease shrinkage they’ve pre-washed the shirt in the brand’s factory.
I really like Bonobos clothing. I wear a short in a suit and it’s so nice to be able to get that same cut in shirts. The Bonobos The Denim Shirt($120) features a 100% cotton fabrick, two front pockets, and a button-down collar with hidden buttons.
I love this Buck Mason Denim Vintage One Pocket Shirt ($105). They stripped the denim shirt down to just the minimal detailing. And its indigo-dyed coloring is absolutely perfect. They wash the cotton to a few months of wear and include details like a single front pocket, simple fold-down point collar, and mother of pearl buttons on the front closure and cuffs. A great shirt at a great price.
A denim shirt is a fall and winter staple. They’re casual enough to give you that effortless look during the day. They also pair nicely with a tie and a blazer. They’re woven of tough fabric, strong enough to last through many years of use.
Just like denim jackets there are multiple types of washes available for denim shirts. The most popular are the blue light wash and the dark wash. I personally tend to avoid light wash denim shirts, because light washes limit the number of combinations for your outfit. If you pair a light wash denim shirt with light wash jeans, you’re going to end up with the Canadian tuxedo. Trust me this is a look you want to avoid.
So for our purposes, my best advice is to stay with a dark wash denim shirt. A dark washed well-fitting shirt will look great with most items in any guys wardrobe.
Western –These are the cowboy-style denim shirts. They have strengthened panels around the shoulders. This is to make them resistant to any snaps, tears, and rips. They also feature pointed pockets, and snap buttons.
Workshirt –These are no different from Western denim shirts. They share most features in their design, only that workshirt denim shirts have two large pockets at the front, normally have buttons, and don’t have those reinforced shoulders.
Chambray is not a lightweight denim shirt. Denim shirts have a diagonal weave. Chambrays have an even, crisscross pattern – basically a plain weave. To notice the difference between the two easily, simply flip them over; Denim’s threads will be diagonal while chambray’s threads will be up to down and across.
A denim shirt should fit similar to an oxford shirt. You want it snug but neither too tight or too lose. The shoulder seams should hit right at the tip of your shoulder bone. If the seam starts to fall down to the side, get a smaller size.
For the collar, just use the simple test. We don’t want a constrictive collar or one with too much fabric when you button the top button. You can check this by sliding a finger into the shirt fully buttoned. If you can’t get a finger in, size up, if you can get two fingers in then come down a collar size. Otherwise you’ll get bunching if you wear a tie.
A denim shirt shouldn’t be too loose around your arms but should be loose enough to support easy movement. When be appropriate to have four inches of the denim shirt pulled off the body.
Lasty, you should check the arm length and width, and the cuff. The cuff should end where the wrist and palm meet.
Jeans– Slim Jeans can be tricky to pair with denim shirts, especially if you’re looking to avoid double denim. However, color contrasting the shirt and the jeans is a good way of wearing the two together. Another good point is to start with dark washes in both the jean and the denim shirt. This bypasses the accidental Canadian tuxedo altogether.
Chino Shorts and Pants– Chinos are possibly the easiest pants and shorts to style up with a denim shirt. If you go with a dark wash denim shirt as I’ve suggested above, then classic chino colors like navy, khaki, and olive with work perfectly with your denim shirt.
Wool Dress Pants – Slim wool pants are perfect if you’re in the mood to get a blend of the smart and casual look. Whether meeting your colleagues at a conference or out on a date, a denim shirt and a wool dress pant combination will not fail you.
You’ve invested in that denim shirt and added to your wardrobe’s style. Now, it’s time to take good care of it.
Denim shirts don’t need a wash after every wear, provided you don’t sweat excessively or drop on dust. Denim refresh sprays can extend your shirt washing time. However, if your denim shirt is past a freshening up session, then I suggest using a denim specific detergent in a cold cycle.
Here are some tips to keep your denim shirt for longer:
A pair of white kicks, navy chinos, and a denim shirt. This outfit says you’re super chill, don’t try all that hard, but somehow you still look great.
If there is any outfit you have in your wardrobe it’s your favorite pair of jeans, a sturdy pair of boots, and a great denim shirt. Through this outfit on to head out to a quick bite to eat or get down in dirty in the yard.
This outfit is perfect. It’s super transitional. You can wear it out for a casual get together and for more formal evening affairs.
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