The 7 Best Denim Shirts Are Rugged Yet Refined

• Sturdy yet breathable fabric
• Buyers love the durability

• 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.

• Plenty of color and print options
• Curved hem is great for keeping untucked
• Pointed yoke adds Western flair

• Fabric is on the thinner side

When you want high-quality denim, you turn to Levi's. The tried and trusted retailer has earned our editors' approval on this classic denim button-down, which seamlessly merges subtle Westernwear flair with contemporary style. This shirt has a minimalist look we love—it's easy to pair with any pants and shoes—and a curved hem that looks great untucked. Plus, the point collar and pointed yoke are the cowboy-esque details that we're all about in 2025.

• Cow bone buttons with unique burn marks
• Durable stitching and fabric
• No visible branding

• Runs small

Flint and Tinder has always been an editor favorite for endlessly cool American icons, but honestly, this denim shirt might just be the best of the best. The heavyweight, 8 ounce cotton fabric is tough enough to do some real work in, but if you wanna pair it with your best leather loafers and some elevated pants, that works, too. It features burnt cow bone snap buttons (each with its own unique burn mark pattern), two chest pockets, and enough style to get you from this frontier to the next one.

• Great non-Westernwear option
• Easy to layer with, or to dress up and down
• Dyed with real indigo

• 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).

• Reinforced collar and cuffs
• Western yoke detail
• Two chest pockets
• Pre-washed to prevent shrinking
• Curved hem looks great untucked

• 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.

• Breathable, lightweight fabric
• Has an archival logo inside
• Pre-loved look and feel

• Only one color option
• Runs short

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.

• Feels sturdy and structured
• Two chest pockets
• Designed for a broken-in feel right away

• On the pricey end
• Runs slim

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.

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.