7 Best Denim Shirts for Men 2025, According to Esquire Editors
<p>Our favorite <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a63739597/best-flared-jeans-jeans-for-men/” target=”_blank”>denim</a> shirts are all about adding some seamless style and comfort into your wardrobe. Some are <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a63728329/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-2025-outfit-photos/” target=”_blank”>Western-inspired</a>, with pointed yokes, snap plackets, and tough fabrics; some are ready for a pair of <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a46107951/jcrew-giant-fit-chinos-review/” target=”_blank”>chinos</a> or khakis, with slim silhouettes that pair well with your go-to blazers. Whatever your preference is, you’ve come to the right place. We tried and tested a bunch of denim shirts, and narrowed it down to our 7 favorites (and photographed them on Esquire’s editor-in-chief, Michael Sebastian), ranging from Wrangler’s iconic Westernwear style to J.Crew’s versatile button-down. Our editors have put these shirts to work and worn them <em>to </em>work<em></em>, and as every good denim shirt should be, they’re up to the task.</p>” data-next-head/>
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Florence Sullivan
best classic denim shirt
Wrangler Iconic Denim Snap Shirt
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Pros
Sturdy yet breathable fabric
Buyers love the durability
Cons
Sleeves run short
Wrangler’s denim shirt is a classic, whether you’re into Westernwear or not. It has all the bells and whistles that a good denim shirt should have—a snap placket, two chest pockets, western yokes—and the softness, sturdiness, and comfort that makes the mark of a great denim shirt. Our editors love this one for everything from work to play.
Colors
5
Sizes
S-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
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best chic denim shirt
J.Crew Midweight Denim Workshirt
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Pros
Great non-Westernwear option
Easy to layer with, or to dress up and down
Dyed with real indigo
Cons
Only one color option
J.Crew takes a classic workwear piece, and makes it chic enough for you to actually wear to work, even if that just entails sitting in front of your computer all day, beneath the glare of fluorescent office lights. This denim shirt is for those of you who want to lose the Western style of it all; essentially, this is a classic button-down, but denim. It’s got a relaxed vibe, a soft, breathable fabric, and a chest pocket for your convenience. Plus, it’s dyed with indigo, so the more you wear and wash it, the better it’ll look (and personally, I think it already looks pretty damn good).
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
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best black denim shirt
Tecovas Denim Pearl Snap Shirt
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Cons
Runs slightly snug
Has a thick fabric
Maybe you don’t want a classic blue denim shirt. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with black denim! Tecovas crafts our favorite style, if you’re going to the dark side. It has glossy faux horn pearl snaps accented with antique brass, which adds a touch of sophistication while staying to the all-black color scheme. Plus, these guys know how to go Westernwear like few other brands do; this shirt is thick and sturdy, tough enough for the sun but still breathable, with a Western yoke and reinforced collar and cuffs.
Colors
5
Sizes
S-3XL
Materials
100% Cotton
best vintage-inspired denim shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren Slub Denim Western Shirt
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Personally, I hate when something looks too new—especially when it’d be so much better with a bit of wear to it. One of those things is a denim shirt, but PRL crafts its own with the perfect solution—a pre-worn, pre-loved look. This style is soft as hell, with a lightweight fabric that makes layering a piece of cake. The weathered look offers Western authenticity, as do the pointed yoke and snap placket.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
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best high-end denim shirt
Billy Reid Shoals Denim Shirt
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Another great not-too-cowboy-core option for you to keep on your radar is this one Billy Reid. It’s still ruggedly handsome, of course, with a material that’s a bit more structured, sturdier, and thicker than the one from J.Crew, with double chest pockets, a bias yoke, and a snap placket accented by antique brass snaps. This one has a slim fit, so size up if you want to do some serious layering, but honestly, wearing it sans undershirt with some matching denim jeans is never a bad idea.
Colors
5
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
Why You Can Trust Esquire
Every shirt on this list has been tried and tested IRL by Esquire editors (as you can see by our photos of Michael Sebastian, who doesn’t, in fact, just own 7 denim shirts of his own accord). We aren’t just randomly selecting picks for you from the vast expanse of the Internet; we’re feeling the fabrics ourselves, we’re wearing the different fits, and we’re employing these shirts in our day-to-day lives, the same way you will when you buy one. These have been hand-selected from all the denim shirts out there, ’cause they’re the ones Esquire editors want and love for themselves, and the ones we want and love for you, too.
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More Westernwear Favorites
Can’t get enough of cowboy-core? I don’t blame you. Take a glance at some of our other top picks for playing into one of the biggest trends of 2025: