12 of the best denim shirts to add to your wardrobe rotation

Can we thank Beyonce for sales of fringed clothing, cowboy boots and cowboy hats soaring? I reckon so! And one of the easiest cowgirl trends to emulate is double denim, the Canadian tuxedo look that let's face it, is pretty cool. 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. You don't have to go full on rodeo for a touch of the Bey look.

From Pamela Anderson wearing a denim shirt in her 90s inspired Re/Done collaboration to Zoe Kravitz and Hailey Beiber, 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 Suits.

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 my edit of the best denim shirts for women

How to style a denim shirt now

Since Y2K fever is still high, double denim – colloquially known as the Canadian Tuxedo – 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 Netflix 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.