12 denim shirts to embrace the double denim look
Double denim is going nowhere, so snap up a denim shirt to try out one of fashion's divisive trends
From influencers to celebrities, double denim is the underground hit of fashion girlies the world over. Skipping ages and trends, there's nothing cooler than wearing double denim for a laidback yet luxe look. We're not talking a denim suit here, but jeans and a denim shirt in matching washes or clashing denim.
Colloquially known as the Canadian tuxedo, it's a look that, let's be clear, is pretty cool. Forget your fears of accidently emulating an early 00s Justin and Britney, and instead look at is a cooler co-ord than prints or brights. I for one wear double denim more these days than ever, with a trench coat thrown over the top and a pair of Mary Janes on my feet and the key part of this duo? A trusty denim shirt.
The best denim shirts - at a glance
- Marks & Spencer's denim shirt, £29.50 / $69.99 - it's a great, affordable staple.
- H&M Soft Oversized Denim Shirt, £32.99 / $34.99 - oversized and made from thick denim for the win
- New Look Denim Shirt, £29.99 - a light blue wash with two statement pockets
- Hush Deanna Denim Shirt, £79 / $110 - an authentic blue wash with a relaxed cut
- Karen Millen's Embellished Shirt, £71.40 / $102 - adds a little sparkle to the classic shirt
From Pamela Anderson wearing a denim shirt in her 90s inspired Re/Done collaboration to Zoe Kravitz and Hailey Bieber, follow in their footsteps and find a denim shirt to wear with your trusted jeans; honestly, you won't regret it. This year, it's oversized boyfriend denim shirts, denim shirts with scalloped collars and pie crust detailing and those in clashing washes that are being snapped up.
Royals wearing denim shirts
A denim shirt isn't a royal staple for most, but Meghan Markle is an exception to that rule - she has been spotted wearing a J Crew Chambray Shirt to cheer on Prince Harry at the polo, during lockdown to read Archie a story (Is Your Mama A Llama, for those wanting to know) and pre-royal days, she often wore a denim shirt off-duty from playing her character Rachel in .
Another royal loving a denim shirt? Princess Kate, who's light denim frill collar shirt from Really Wild sold out within hours after she wore it to a Scouts event last year.
How I chose the best denim shirts
- Price: I've considered a range of price points, from affordable high street denim shirts for £15 to the designer denim shirt, retailing for over £400. If you want to splash out, there's plenty of pricier denim shirts, or it's a pre payday pick me up, check out some of the more affordable shirts.
- Inclusivity: I've found plenty of denim shirts available in sizes 6-22.
- Colour: A classic blue denim shirt is what we've focused on. You'll find the high street has other wash versions, including black, white and pastel hues. We've found blue denim shirts in a variety of blue washes, including stonewash, acid wash and true blue, plus a few with a twist like embellishment scalloped collars and puff sleeves.
Shop the best denim shirts for women
1/12
H&M Oversized Denim Shirt
H&M denim shirt
Sizes: XXS - XL
Colours: Three available; dark blue, grey wash and black
Shipping: Free delivery with a £20 spend
Returns: Within 30 days of purchase
Editor's note: "This is the one I own, and for such an incredible price, it's a steal. It's thick denim, it's oversized and the wash is a brilliant mid-blue. I wear mine tucked into jeans, but you could easily layer over a white tee or polo neck."
£19.99 at H&M
$29.99 at H&M
2/12
M&S Lyocell™ Denim Collared Relaxed Shirt
Marks & Spencer Denim Shirt
Sizes: 6-24
Colours: Denim blue
Delivery: Free on orders over £50
Returns: Free within 30 days of purchase
Editor's note: "Fits true to size say M&S customers of this Lyocell blend denim shirt, which can be grabbed from size 6-24. The blue hue is a mid wash, which looks amazing with black jeans or dark denim."
£49.50 at Marks & Spencer
$86.99 at Marks & Spencer
3/12
New Look Blue Denim Long Sleeve Shirt
New Look Denim Shirt
Sizes: 6-22
Colours: Blue
Delivery: Free delivery on orders over £50
Returns: Within 28 days of purchase
Editor's note: "New Look's denim is popular for its purse-friendly pricing and comfy fits, and that carries through to their denim shirts too - this one looks comfy, cool and a classic fit."
£29.99 at New Look
4/12
ASOS Design Denim Shirt
ASOS Denim Shirt
Sizes: 4 - 18
Colours: Blue or black
Delivery: Free on orders over £50
Returns: Free within 30 days of purchase
Editor's note: "Another affordable buy, this time made from a lighter denim with chambray. Chambray shirts tend to be less rigid than regular denim and look softer when worn - maybe that's why Princess Kate and Meghan prefer one?"
£30 at ASOS
$42.99 at ASOS
5/12
Good American Oversized Denim Shirt
Good American Denim Shirt
Sizes: S-5XL
Colours: Denim
Delivery: Free delivery
Returns: Within 21 days of purchase
Editor's note: "Khloe Kardashian knows good denim and this, from her Good American line, is just about the perfect oversized denim shirt. Lightweight enough to tuck into jeans, but heavy enough to be worn as an overcoat, it's getting rave reviews for its high quality too."
£180 at Good American$169 at Good American
6/12
Mint Velvet Cropped Denim Shirt
Mint Velvet Denim Shirt
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Blue
Delivery: Free on orders over £100
Returns: Free UK returns
Editor's note: "Mint Velvet has designed a stellar cropped denim shirt, in a beautiful indigo blue. It's great for layering, or wearing alone, and gorgeously oversized."
£79 at Mint Velvet
7/12
Hush Deanna Denim Shirt
Hush denim shirt
Sizes: 4-18
Colours: Authentic blue wash
Shipping: Free delivery on orders over £75
Returns: Within 28 days of purchase
Editor's note: "Hush's denim shirt is an easy wear, with a relaxed wash and loose fit. Size up to wear as an overshirt or go for your normal size and wear fitted."
£79 at Hush
$110 at Hush
8/12
All Saints Alba Oversized Denim Shirt
AllSaints Denim Shirt
Sizes: XXS-XXXL
Colours: Blue
Delivery: Free delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days of purchase
Editor's note: "This AllSaints denim shirt could definitely double up as a denim jacket, as it's super oversized and super thick. Made from 100% cotton, the gold buttons add a little touch of luxury."
£139 at ALLSAINTS via House of Fraser
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9/12
Karen Millen Embellished Denim Shirt
Karen Millen Denim Shirt
Sizes: 6-16
Colours: Blue and black
Shipping: Standard delivery costs £4.99
Returns: £2 within 28 days of purchase
Editor's note: "For something a little different, try Karen Millen's incredible embellished denim shirt, with all over embellished detailing - how cool! You'll find this shirt in sizes 6 to 16 and it comes in black denim too."
£71.40 (save 40%) at Karen Millen
$102 at Karen Millen
10/12
Barbour Aster Denim Shirt
Barbour Denim Shirt
Sizes: 8-18
Colours: Blue
Delivery: Free economy delivery
Returns: Within 90 days of purchase
Editor's note: "Barbour has somehow created the ideal denim shirt that bridges the gap between smart and casual; I love the rounded neckline and statement collar, while the fit is slightly oversized. It's a great indigo blue too, and on sale for just under £60!"
£55.97 (save 20%) at Outdoor & Country
11/12
Everbelle Pintuck Denim Shirt
Sainsbury's Denim Shirt
Sizes: 6-22
Colours: Blue
Shipping: From £3.95
Returns: Within 30 days of purchase
Editor's note: "This Everbelle denim shirt from Sainsbury's is a smarter alternative to your usual style of denim shirt, with pintuck detailing and a slim fit. Wear with smart trousers or even under a pinafore dress."
£26 at TU Sainsbury's
12/12
& Other Stories Dropped Shoulder Denim Shirt
& Other Stories Denim Shirt
Sizes: XS-L
Colours: Blue
Delivery: Free on orders over £50
Returns: Free within 30 days of purchase
Editor's note: "This denim shirt swaps a pointed collar for a high grandad style collar, giving a new spin on the classic denim shirt. Wear alone, or under a sweater with the collar popped over the top."
£77 at & Other Stories
$119 at & Other Stories
How to style a denim shirt now
Since Y2K fever is still high, double denim is the easiest look to emulate. It’s OTT denim shirts with cargo jeans, it's slimfit denim shirts with jeans in a matching wash and it's layering one over a slimfit polo neck teamed with flared jeans.
Take one look at the recent fashion weeks, or street style, and they're everywhere. This time around, your denim washes don’t have to match either. Try a mid-wash jean with a darker denim shirt or go stonewashed top, white jeans for a fresh take. Patchwork or laser-detailed denim shirts work well too. Or, go for a boxy shape and wear over a classic slub tee with jeans in similar shades; keep accessories in neutral shades, like black, white or cream.
If you’re really feeling the denim, layer it up times three – jeans, denim shirt and denim jacket or swap jeans for a denim mini, maxi skirt or denim shorts.
Celebrities wearing denim shirts
On or off-duty, celebrities rely on a denim shirt to see them from restaurants to the red carpet.
Actress Jodie Turner-Smith turned to a denim shirt for a premiere, paired with a denim jacket and jeans for the ultimate cool-girl look.
Emily Rajatowski chose an oversized denim shirt and baggy jeans for Paris Fashion Week, proving the look can be as sexy as it can stylish.
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