It’s a quintessential American look: the rugged denim shirt. Perhaps that's why we see everyone from Ralph Lauren and Ryan Reynolds to old school icons like Marvin Gaye and Paul Newman wearing them. At first glance, these hardwearing shirts may look heavy, but pull one on and you'll see that they're surprisingly light—and incredibly versatile.

That's why you'll no doubt be seeing the soft cotton shirts everywhere this summer. Able to be dressed up under a suit at a casual summer wedding, or worn casually (untucked, sleeves rolled with some wide-leg chinos or shorts), the durable indigo button-downs make for an ideal travel piece as well—repurposed and worn as a jacket throughout the trip. And the best part? They come in a handful of price points, so your only decision is how much you want to spend. To help you decide, we pulled three of the best options for your money.