The best denim shirts for men have come a long way from their humble origins. Popularized in the early 20th century by the ranch hands and roughnecks of the American frontier, the rugged button-up has long since earned its place in the canon of hard-wearing, easy-going menswear classics. Unlike the plaid flannel, white tee, or chore coat, though, the denim shirt has managed to work its way into the rarefied echelons of tailoring, too. In 2024, some boast spread collars or shell buttons, but all are ready to add a hit of workwear-inspired swagger to your everyday lineup.
Of course, to paraphrase Levar Burton, you don’t have to take our word for it. Just look at fellas like Steve McQueen, Robert Redford, Tupac Shakur, and Pedro Pascal, who’ve made the denim shirt an essential part of their wardrobes. (And that’s to say nothing of Ralph Lauren, who’s been schooling the world on how to wear a denim shirt with panache for over 50 years.)
These days, there’s a wider array of denim shirts than ever before, from authentic sawtooth western joints crafted from Japanese selvedge to cozy flannel-lined jacket hybrids to elevated riffs done up in crisp white Italian cotton. Try one with a blazer and weathered khakis or as one-half of a Canadian tuxedo, and don’t be surprised—or remotely disappointed—if you find yourself reaching for it day after day. Rest assured, you’re in good company.
The Best Men’s Denim Shirts, According to GQ
Best Denim Shirt Overall: Levi’s Classic Western Shirt
If it’s authenticity you’re after, you’d best go straight to the source. Levi’s has been outfitting folks in sturdy cotton workwear since 1853, and no other brand has a better claim to establishing blue denim as a mainstay of American style. Unlike their iconic dungarees, which became popular with miners and railway workers in the late 1800s, denim shirts didn’t become part of the Levi’s catalog until the 1930s, when they were adopted by ranch hands, cowboys, and city slickers looking to ape their rugged frontier style. True to those origins, this version features authentic vintage details like western pockets, pointed front yokes, a snap placket with faux mother-of-pearl buttons, and a just-right mid-blue rinse. As in the 1930s, there’s no better way to add a dash of western swagger to your look without going full Midnight Cowboy.
Best Denim Shirt for Fall: J.Crew Heavyweight Denim Shirt
Sometimes the best shirt is actually two shirts. For a supremely versatile case in point, see J.Crew’s holy union of a hardy work shirt and a classic denim shirt, a piece that’s destined to see heavy rotation as the weather turns cool. Coming from a brand known for its modern re-interpretations of American wardrobe staples, this quintessential fall layer is dialed-in down to the last detail, from the substantial weight of the natural indigo-dyed 10 oz. denim to the pristine rinse that will only look more lived-in over time. After a few turns in the laundry machine, it’ll look like something you might find on the coat rack at a New England hunting cabin, which is exactly the vibe you want for your trustiest fall layers.
Best Denim Shirt for Denimheads: Studio D’artisan Sawtooth Western Shirt
The Western shirt may have been invented in the Wild West but—as with so many pieces of the classic American wardrobe—it was perfected in Japan. Founded in 1979, Studio D’artisan is one of a handful of brands credited with bringing old-school denim back from the brink of extinction by reproducing vintage American jeans on antique looms. The proof is in this painstakingly considered shirt made from sturdy 12.8 oz. Japanese indigo rope-dyed selvedge, with orange contrast stitching, “sawtooth” pockets, and real mother-of-pearl YKK snaps. Just like the brand’s cult-favorite dungarees, everything about this shirt pays homage to the golden era of American denim in the 1940s and 1950s. With the distinctly crisp feel of Japanese selvedge—and true to its workwear origins—expect it to get better the more you wear it.
Best Denim Shirt for the Office: Anglo-Italian Spread Collar Denim Shirt
A few decades ago, wearing a denim shirt with a blazer would have been a style move on par with going shirtless under a suit. Times have changed, however, and so have denim shirts. As traditional workwear pieces have earned a place in the 9-5 wardrobe alongside Oxford shirts and tailored trousers, designers have elevated them with top-shelf fabrics and details to make them all the more refined. Anglo-Italian’s take on the denim shirt is precisely this kind of piece. Made in Italy from mid-weight denim with a modern spread collar, real shell buttons and the same cut as the brand’s Oxford-cloth button-downs, it’s gently distressed around the cuffs and collar to give it a subtle vintage look.
Best Denim Shirt for Fashion Guys: Kapital Magpie Western Shirt
For those uninitiated in Kapital’s signature blend of traditional Japanese craft and vintage American style, the brand was founded in Okayama in the mid-1980s and was one of a handful of pioneers who helped to make Japanese denim the best in the world. They’ve since pivoted to zanier designs that blend fever dream silhouettes with high-end materials, all of it executed with characteristic attention to detail. Like the best Kapital joints, this shirt takes a familiar idea to freaky new heights by remixing the classic Western shirt with a jacquard-woven feather motif and a ragged, uneven hem.
The Best Denim Shirt for Softies: Buck Mason Japanese Chambray Western Shirt
While often used interchangeably, chambray and denim aren’t the same thing. We’re not going to get too deep into the weeds on the weaving techniques that differentiate the two (one is a plain weave, the other a twill) but suffice it to say that chambray is generally more lightweight than denim, making it better for casual shirts and warmer weather. As such, Buch Mason’s 5 oz. Japanese indigo chambray is the perfect choice for this button-up, which is light enough for summer days, and has the look of something that’s been a regular in your shirt rotation for years. Wear it untucked with shorts or jeans for an unimpeachable weekend vibe, or tuck it into some high-waisted chinos for a dressier (but equally swaggering) look. Either way, you’re coming up a winner.
More Denim Shirts We Love
Flint & Tinder Bone Button Denim Shirt
Randy’s Garments New York Jacquard Denim Overshirt
Madewell Western Denim Easy Shirt
Carhartt WIP Harvey Denim Shirt Jacket
Todd Snyder Denim Overshirt
The Letters Western Short Shirt
RRL Denim Buffalo Western Workshirt
