Wearing a denim shirt is almost always a good idea. Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley certainly thought so, each immortalising this timeless piece in their own way.
And if the denim shirt has enjoyed such great success, it is not solely because celebrities have given it good publicity.
It also owes its recognition to the imagery it conveys. Indeed, denim is first and foremost America—not the America of fast food and cubicles, but rather that of solitary cowboys and self-made men. In a word, denim is the America of adventure.
Since then, as we shall see, this iconic fabric has come a long way: you can wear or give a shirt in denim in many ways, without evoking Far West explorers or Detroit workers.
Everything you need to know about the iconic look of the singer of “Let’s Get It On”.
Choosing your denim shirt
A piece with character, the denim shirt comes in many forms. A look back at the cuts, fabrics, colours and finishing details that give it its personality.
The cut
A piece with character, the denim shirt comes in many forms. A look back at the cuts, fabrics, colours and finishing details that give it its personality.
The fabric
Here, however, you have a great deal of freedom of choice. Of course, there is denim in a heavy fabric, which gives a more relaxed look. But you can also turn to softer fabrics, such as chambray, dobby or even Oxford, to evoke denim without using it directly.
Colour
We often imagine wearing a denim shirt in its best-known version: blue. But while you can play with light or dark shades depending on the outfit and the season, you can also opt for a more original shade such as grey.
Finishing details
You can also enhance the style of a denim shirt by choosing a model with a chest pocket and a button-down collar, two casual yet elegant variations.
What are the options with a denim shirt
The denim shirt suits (almost) every style. And while it is never truly formal, it can also be synonymous with elegance and refinement... provided you choose the right cut and colour combination. A brief overview of the different possibilities.
Casual style
A great classic, this is the style we recommend first at Hast. For a look that is both elegant and relaxed, opt for a button-down shirt and pair it with chinos, jeans or pleated trousers.
Workwear style
In the United States, wearing a denim shirt originally often meant working either in agriculture or industry. And it is this blue-collar heritage that icons of working-class America such as Bruce Springsteen probably wished to honour by adopting the denim shirt. With this in mind, you can pair it with cargo trousers or, once again, jeans.
Smart style
Yes, you can also achieve a smarter look if you know how to wear a denim shirt. Simply choose a pared-back style in a relatively fine weave and pair it with a suit jacket, buttoned right up. Loafers optional.
Rock & roll style
A denim shirt works wonders with a biker jacket, as many rock musicians have understood. Between wide-open spaces and artistic rebellion, it brings a modern touch to a defiant dandyism.
Urban style
Like many other street-fashion figures, Kanye West is a devoted fan of the denim shirt. To make it a statement piece in a more urban, relaxed look, choose a western-style version with yokes and wear it open over a white T-shirt, for example.
