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Denim Shirts Are Better Than Jeans (There, We Said It)

10 shirts that prove denim is best worn above the waist.

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By Max Berlinger

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When you think about denim, you typically think about denim pants — aka jeans. Fair. But hear us out: the denim shirt may be the best clothing item made from denim. Blasphemy you say? Let me explain.

Why You Should Own a Denim Shirt

Thanks to its use as clothing for manual labor, denim is hearty, breathable, and moves with your body. It’s a weight that can be worn year round — on its own in warmer months and as a layer (over a T-shirt, under a coat) as temps dip. It first gained mainstream popularity in the west with gold rush miners in the mid-1800s and has since accrued associations with a certain rugged outdoorsiness. As such, it has an undeniable reputation of swaggering masculinity, of steadfast reliability typical of workwear.

Much like jeans, today a denim shirt is an everyman treasure. It’s an essential part of a man’s wardrobe, embraced by notables from working class hero Bruce Springsteen to tech billionaire Jeff Bezos. They fit in with a variety of styles and are versatile beyond belief. It’s because of that that many designers, ranging from high-end to mass, make their own version.

The Best Denim Shirts for Men

Here is a list of some of our favorite denim shirts to prove that if you only have pairs of jeans in your closet, you’re missing out on so much.

This shirt comes packed with smart, thoughtful details: hidden collar buttons, reinforced seams, a rounded hem, a small loop at the back to hang it. But the real beauty of this shirt (100 percent cotton, no stretch) is that beautiful — dare I say perfect? — shade of blue.

Decked out with triple-needle chain-stitch detailing along the body — including a western style front and yoke design — this shirt has just the right amount of yee-haw built in. It’s cut slim to hug the body, and made from beautiful Japanese indigo denim and finished off with Japanese made snap buttons. Expect to turn heads, partner.

Cut with some extra room in the body, this shirt has an easy, laid back vibe. The indigo dye will fade over time, so the shirt will get a unique patina. The patch pockets and button-down collar are subtle details that help to elevate it. Wear it open over a marled gray T-shirt or tucked-in when you’re feeling like dressing up a bit.

No company is more synonymous with denim than SF-based brand Levi’s, so it makes sense that their denim shirt is an archetypical beauty. It’s made in the western style, with a pointed collar and snap buttons, and comes in a lovely faded black. This one is made, in part, from hemp, which helps save water and uses less chemicals to grow than cotton. It also gives it a softer feel.

A classic shirt, perfect as an added layer on those spring days where the weather can go from hot to cool and back again on the turn of a dime. But what really sets this shirt apart is its distinctive, almost acid wash color treatment. Perfect for guys who are looking for something to help them stand out.

If you’re a Millennial or Gen X, this shirt — faded, slouchy, disaffected — will come with a heavy dose of youthful nostalgia. If you’re younger, it will come with some of that beloved grunge energy that has transfixed TikTok teens. Either way, it’s undeniably cool.

Cut with a relaxed fit and in a blue-to-white ombre dye, this shirt has just the right amount of bohemian Parisian street cred to impress all your fashion friends. Wear it with a pair of loose shorts and sneakers or sandals this summer for the ultimate on-trend fit.

While denim can feel like a distinctly American industry, in recent years Japan has taken their notoriously obsessive eye and created some of the most riveting denim garments currently on the market. This popover shirt, with its wide, loose cut, fits that bill. It’s unexpected yet familiar, easy to wear, and a great balance of classy and cool.

An unexpected yet totally logical take on the classic denim shirt from the LA-based purveyors of high-end, low-key jeans at Frame. The patchwork element gives is just the right amount of designer detailing to set it apart, but it still feels very much part of the workwear tradition.

Made by the French brand Lemaire (the designer, Christophe, is in charge of the GP-approved Uniqlo U collection), this option takes the traditional denim shirt and marries it to its cousin (ew), the denim jacket. The result is a thing of beautiful versatility. It’s light; it’s boxy; it’s raffish and elegant in equal amounts. The zipper and studious point collar, plus the two zippered chest pockets, make it the perfect lightweight layer to toss on over a long sleeve T-shirt and loose cargos for the perfect casual outfit.

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