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From the office to the job site, be ready to tackle the toughest workdays.
Whether you’re tucked into an air-conditioned office all day or hammering away at a blue-collar job site, you need apparel that’s up to the task. That means having the right clothes ready to go the distance for a full eight-, ten-, or (god help you) even 12-hour shift. Good work pants and work shoes (or, depending on your job, work boots) are essential. But, a good work shirt is important too.
Ideally, you want a work-ready top that’s durable and comfortable with a dash of style to boot. Sometimes a traditional dress shirt will do. But, purpose-built work shirts typically go a step farther with more versatile designs that keep you ready to move seamlessly from the office or job site to the bar or dinner table effortlessly. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best work shirts for men in 2022.
Carhartt has long been synonymous with “hard-working apparel.” The Force Ridgefield Long Sleeve Shirt is a go-to favorite with everything we look for in a work shirt. With a smart blend of 60% polyester and 40% cotton, it combines the best of both fabrics. That means the soft, all-day wearability and stain-resistance of cotton with the lightweight, quick-wicking (i.e., fast-drying) capability of polyester. The relaxed fit provides a great range of motion for any job that requires it, while adjustable closures ensure a perfect all-around fit.
We like to think of this short-sleeve top from Dickies as the “OG” work shirt. It’s a relaxed, button-front shirt that works well even after you’ve clocked out for the day. The fabric is a 4.6-ounce mechanical stretch twill blended from 65% polyester and 35% cotton, so it’s lightweight yet durable. For hard-working gentlemen, it also wicks moisture like a champ, making it ideal for the most intense jobs. Twin chest pocks add storage and versatility, plus a dash of timeless, working-man style. The square-tail design also ensures that it looks good tucked in or free-flowing.
Read more: Best Shirts for Men
Filson has been a favorite brand among hard-charging outdoorsmen for decades. Its Vintage Flannel Work Shirt is among the best men’s work shirts that we tested. The midweight cotton construction has excellent thermal retention, making it ideal for cool summer nights or layering up for colder spring and fall days. With a heavy-brushed interior, it’s one of the softest flannel work shirts we tested. Pleats at each shoulder guarantee a better range of motion, especially when working on overhead tasks. The design is rounded out with a simple button front and adjustable button cuffs for a good fit.
Of course, you don’t have to drop $150 to score a decent men’s work shirt. The Logger Twill Workshirt from Wrangler Riggs Workwear keeps things simple. With a relaxed fit and 100% cotton construction, it’s comfortable enough to wear all day at work or at home. Dual side gussets allow for better range of movement through the midsection, and arm buttons let you roll up and secure the sleeves for tough workdays. But, the best part is that it’s available in most colors and sizes for under $40.
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While Helly Hansen is best known for some of the world’s best winter apparel, its HH Workwear line offers some of the best work apparel we’ve ever tested. Among its premium Kensington line, the Kensington Shirt is a standout basic, especially for working men looking for an elevated work shirt. The 100% cotton top is designed to be relaxed, extremely comfortable, and durable, even after many washes and long days on the job. A chest pocket with a fastener closure adds a bit of versatility. But, we especially like the reinforced elbow patches and snap button closure on both the front and cuffs, making it easy to don and doff.
Sometimes a simple office-friendly shirt is all you need. Urban Outfitters’ Big Corduroy Work Shirt features a 100% cotton construction that’s ultra-comfortable and built to survive years of washing. True to its name, the design is slightly oversized with a full-length, button-front closure and split, rounded hemline, so it’s perfect for more relaxing days at the office or while working from home. A single patch pocket adds a bit of flare and workplace versatility.
If your workplace is heavier on the spreadsheets and less on the construction equipment, The Desk to Dinner Shirt from Bonobos is a perfect, do-it-all option. The mainly cotton construction adds a touch of spandex, so it’s wrinkle-resistant and stretchy in all the right places. With more than 20 colors and patterns to choose from and a range of fit options, it’s easily the most customizable work shirt on this list. Plus, with a slim fit, it looks great tucked in at work or untucked while out at the bar.
Read more: Best Dress Shirts for Men
Work shirts and dress shirts share some common characteristics. Both typically boast a long-sleeve design, button-front closure, and a stiff collar. But that’s where the commonalities end. The most notable difference is that dress shirts are made from thinner, “fancier” (for lack of a better word) fabrics like twill or poplin. On the other hand, work shirts are often crafted from thicker, rugged fabrics like cotton canvas or cotton flannel. The latter are better suited for more intense outdoor endeavors (think: framing houses, splitting wood, and getting under the hood of a big rig). Most work shirts add functional elements like a front-button chest pocket (or two) for stashing essential tools and gear. The buttons also tend to be larger and easier to finagle with gloves on.
The best dress shirts are often custom-tailored or designed with a slim fit, so they hug the body and look great tucked into dress pants. Ideally, work shirts should offer a straight fit that’s neither too slim nor too relaxed. In most cases, you want to be able to layer your work shirts over a T-shirt or base layer in colder weather. But, you don’t want anything that’s billowing like a tent, lest it snag on errant machinery or work tools. A good work shirt should, well, allow you to work confidently and comfortably. Look for work shirts with a shorter hem too, so they can be worn untucked.
Over the last 12 months, we tested more than 30 men’s work shirts. We put each one through its paces in every season, using a variety of tasks, including chopping wood, front-country camping, and wearing for everyday errands. We paid particular attention to every detail, from the fabrics to the cut to the durability to the overall style, and made notes on each. The list above represents our honest picks of the best work shirts for men in 2022.