The Wardrobe
Workhorse

Best men's denim shirts in 2022

The Wardrobe Workhorse

The 20 best denim (and denim-ish) shirts to wear right now

The denim shirt is an undisputed classic— a staple that has been in the sartorial rafters for decades and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Sure, it's got a masculine vibe, but it's also incredibly comfortable and adaptable too. One thing certainly remains true: Like high-quality jeans that get better with time, the same goes for shirts cut from the same cloth. Go ahead and wear it year-round—no need to stop just because it's warm out.

Of course, not all denim shirts are actually denim. Some are cut from lightweight, breathable chambray, making them even more versatile. And trust us when we say that they're everywhere these days. You can purchase one from your local vintage spot or buy new—get a couple, because we guarantee that these will be repeat offenders in your wardrobe. Also, styling this shirt is super easy: Roll up the sleeves, throw it on over a tank top and wear it with shorts or your lightweight chinos. Hell, it even looks sharp with a suit. Pull off a Canadian tuxedo with denim on denim and pack it on vacation to wear with your swim trunks. The key for summer is to look for lighter fabric weights (ideally 4.5 oz. to 7 oz. is the sweet spot). It just needs to be breathable enough so you're not drenched in the sun. To help you pick, we've selected a few from reliable brands in an assortment of different washes and price points that are built to last.

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The Best Denim/
Chambray Shirts in 2022

imogene + willie Earl Chambray Shirt
imogene + willie Earl Chambray Shirt

Earl chambray shirt,
$195 by imogene + willie

Billy Reid Shoals Denim Shirt

Shoals denim shirt,
$198 by Billy Reid

Taylor Stitch Western Denim Shirt

Western denim shirt,
$125 / $100 by Taylor Stitch

Todd Snyder Italian Mid-Weight Denim Shirt

Italian mid-weight
denim shirt,
$168 Todd Snyder

orSlow Work Chambray Shirt

Work chambray shirt,
$240 by orSlow

Buck Mason Medium Wash Denim Western Shirt
Buck Mason Medium Wash Denim Western Shirt

Medium wash denim western shirt,
$125 by Buck Mason

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Indigo-dyed yarn for a vintage blue color that will continue to fade

Indigo sunfaded workshirt,
$168 by Wythe New York

Alex Mill Denim Work Shirt

Denim work shirt,
$145 / $79.75 by Alex Mill

J.Crew Relaxed Mid-Weight Denim Workshirt
J.Crew Relaxed Mid-Weight Denim Workshirt

Relaxed mid-weight
denim workshirt,
$89.50 by J.Crew

Frame Distressed Denim Shirt

Distressed denim shirt,
$225 by Frame

Abercrombie & Fitch Oversized 90s Denim Shirt

A relaxed, boxy fit perfect for layering over a tank or tee

Oversized '90s denim shirt,
$69 / $32.99 by Abercrombie & Fitch

Engineered Garments Denim Workshirt

Denim workshirt,
$235 by Engineered Garments

Knickerbocker Chambray Paris Western Shirt

Chambray Paris western shirt,
$185 by Knickerbocker

3Sixteen Stonewashed Denim Crosscut Western Shirt
3Sixteen Stonewashed Denim Crosscut Western Shirt

Stonewashed denim
crosscut western shirt,
$285 by 3Sixteen

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Carhartt WIP Salinac Denim Shirt Jacket
Carhartt WIP Salinac Denim Shirt Jacket

Salinac denim shirt jacket,
$138 by Carhartt WIP

Outerknown Blueprint Denim Shirt

Blueprint denim shirt,
$248 by Outerknown

RRL Indigo Chambray Workshirt

Indigo chambray workshirt,
$225 by RRL

UNIQLO Chambray Workshirt

Chambray workshirt,
$29.90 by UNIQLO

Glenns Denim Utility Denim Shirt

Utility denim shirt,
$230 / $105 by Glenn's Denim

Made from soft, breathable, lightweight tencel denim

Alex denim shirt,
$245 / $123 by Officine Générale

How to wash
your denim shirt?

How to wash
your denim shirt?

Wash these like you would your jeans—inside out, on cold and hang to dry. Since it’s summertime, feel free to hang the shirt outside to get a genuine “sun-faded” look. The more you wear the better.

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