Denim Shirts Are My New Go-To: These 3 Are My Favorites

The history of denim, and the denim shirt, is long. Invented in Europe several hundred years ago, denim was originally a working-class fabric, popular through the centuries with factory workers and cowboys because of its durability. Denim pants and shirts became more of a fashion piece in the 1930s and 40s among consumers who wanted to emulate the adventurous frontier style. After WWII, denim evolved into a more everyday middle-class fabric, worn widely by both men and women, a trend spurred on by gritty Hollywood actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando.

Fast forward to today and denim is easily the most ubiquitous fabric in American closets. Like most people, I’ve been wearing denim jeans my entire life. Only recently, however, have I been turned on to the versatility of the denim shirt. Still made to take a beating, a denim shirt is perfect for everything from cutting wood to camping trips. It’s also a smart alternative to the long-popular but decidedly mainstream flannel shirt for those of us who spend time in the office and want to look sharp but still rugged.

I’ve been testing a wide variety of denim shirts over the past several months. These are my three favorites.

Wrangler Rugged Wear Denim Basic Shirt

$35 at Wrangler

The only heat source in my parents’ northern New Mexico house is a wood stove, which means we spend a good chunk of the summer and fall cutting wood. In addition to good boots and chainsaw chaps, this denim shirt has become an essential part of my wood-cutting uniform. The fabric stands up to tree branches that poke and grab, the long sleeves keep sap off my arms when I’m carrying rounds to the truck, and the thin, six-ounce fabric breathes when I work up a sweat. It’s not the most durable shirt on my list, but at $35 I have no problem replacing it every couple of years.

Stio Slipstone Japanese Denim Shirt

$179 at Stio

Japan started making denim after World War II, and today the country is known for making some of the best denim on the planet. This shirt is case in point. The fabric is ultra soft from the first wear, but also rugged, thanks to the thick, 19-ounce construction. I once wore the Slipstone for a week-long camping trip, washed it, and wore it to the office the next day without any hesitation. The darker color is great because it doesn’t pick up stains, and it also matches with everything from Carhartts to slacks to lighter wash jeans. The price is steep, but this shirt will last for a decade or more and only look better with time.

RRL Denim Buffalo Western Workshirt

$265 at Huckberry

Not familiar with the RRL moniker? I wasn’t either—until I stumbled upon this shirt. Pronounced “Double RL,” the name comes from Ralph Lauren’s gigantic ranch in Colorado and is the brand’s vintage- and work-inspired clothing line. Previously, I had sworn I would never be caught dead in anything Ralph Lauren because the brand is so preppy. But then I tried this shirt on and immediately understood the hype, which goes beyond the fashion label. Tailored to be slimming and sleek, this is the best-fitting shirt I’ve ever worn. It immediately elevates my outfit even if it’s just matched with a pair of worn jeans and beat-up boots. I’m not using this shirt to cut wood because the price tag is too steep, but I love it for office days and dinners out with my wife.