Whether you’re going for cowboy-core or for corporate-core, a denim shirt is the ultimate in-betweener in your wardrobe. You can wear denim shirts with jeans and boots for a Western-inspired, Canadian tuxedo look, or with pleated plants and a blazer for an elevated take on a comfortable classic. You can wear denim shirts unbuttoned, with a classic white tee underneath, or buttoned all the way up, bolo tie fastened around your neck. It’s no wonder the shirts have been a staple in classic Americana attire for so long; they’re pretty damn infallible.
Our favorite denim shirts are all about adding some seamless style and comfort into your wardrobe. Some are Western-inspired, with pointed yokes, snap plackets, and tough fabrics; some are ready for a pair of chinos 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 to work, and as every good denim shirt should be, they’re up to the task.