There’s a reason denim shirts have become an indispensable part of a stylish men’s wardrobe for fall and winter—and it’s not just that they look cool. Shirts cut from denim (not chambray, its lighter-weight summer counterpart) are naturally thicker than other cotton weaves, which means they help keep you warmer. They come in handy on days when you want to look more rugged than refined, and serve as a great alternative to flannels and thick oxford cloths. And luckily, lots of the most talented designers and beloved menswear brands are offering up their take on the staple this season. There’s a wide variety of styles available right now, which means you can find a denim shirt that plays well with tailoring during the week, as well as others that might make more sense when you’re not in the boardroom. A look at some of our favorites—from Brioni, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford and more—below.
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Brioni Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Ssense This Brioni shirt is the same one from our lead image, one of a number of strong pieces from designer Norbert Stumpfl’s debut collection for the brand. It’s made from a blend of cotton and cashmere, which gives it both a luxurious feeling and an extra dose of warmth—and serves as an emblem of astute fabric development from a rising star in menswear.
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Eton Denim Button Down Shirt
Image Credit: Eton Some garments are indigo dyed, but this one is more like indigo drenched. The interior of this shirt, which looks a lot more purple in person than you can see in the image, is a testament to that. The overdyeing means it’ll keep its rich, deep color for years.
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Levi’s Vintage Clothing 1950s Denim Western Shirt
Image Credit: Levi's A line-for-line replica of a shirt Levi’s made in the 1950s, this denim shirt is a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll. It has all the halmarks of traditional Western shirts—pearl snap buttons, yoke details, two chest pockets—but it speaks with a different accent. The straight yokes and angled pockets make this shirt feel timeless, and we’re glad Levi’s brought it out of the archives.
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Norse Project Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Mr Porter Don’t let this shirt’s neat appearance fool you: Norse Project double-dyed the fabric it’s made from, meaning it’ll fade beautifully over time. You just have to rough it up to find out what that might look like.
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Billy Reid Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Billy Reid Believe it or not, this perfectly faded denim shirt from Alabama-based designer Billy Reid hasn’t been washed, whiskered or sanded to achieve its weathered look. Instead, its worn-in aesthetic comes courtesy of a custom denim blend made for Reid’s eponymous brand.
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Stella McCartney Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Stella McCartney Concerned as she as with sustainability, it makes sense that Stella McCartney wouldn’t turn out a denim shirt without environmentally friendly bona fides. To wit: this shirt is cut from 100 percent organic cotton and features a cotton-poly blend lining that’ll help keep fall’s worst chills at bay.
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Corridor Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Corridor Like other shirts on this list, this denim number from Corridor is overdyed to ensure it’ll develop a unique patina over time. Unlike the other shirts, its generous cut means it can work well as an overshirt on warmer days.
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Brunello Cucinelli Western Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Mr Porter If you’re not all-in on cowboy style, this shirt might be a good way to dip your toe into the trend. It’s as luxurious as you would expect from Brunello Cucinelli, and features pearlescent snap buttons that catch the light so nicely that you almost wouldn’t want to put a coat on over it.
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OrSlow Denim Shirt
Image Credit: Mr Porter This Japanese-made brand is named for time-consuming production techniques it uses, which ensure made-to-last construction and quality you can feel. In this excellent dark denim shirt, that means copper contrast stitching and a razor sharp collar line.
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Tom Ford Denim Western Shirt
Image Credit: Neiman Marcus Who says a denim shirt has to be blue? This gray version from Tom Ford is an elegant take on the classic, rendered in a more versatile shade than some of the deeper, richer indigo shirts on this list.
