The Best Men's Western Shirts To Channel Your Inner Cowboy (2024)

From bootcut bottoms to a big ol’ hat, Western-inspired attire is all the rage right now and has been for quite some time. Whether you’re a Southern native or want to pay homage to the cowboy films of yesteryear, there’s no way to overlook the unrelinquished style of a Western shirt. With its snap pockets and all, this beloved garment comes in several iterations, including options crafted from denim, corduroy, and buttery suede.

While you can find this silhouette dressed up with horse-coated motifs and countless other embellishments, there are few better choices than one that keeps things clean, simple, and, most of all, traditional. The western shirt has been adorned by countlessstyle icons, from on-and-off-screen cowboys to iconic rockstars, proving it’s one of the most versatile tops. To help channel your inner rancher, we rounded up some of the best options on the market in our best western shirts guide.

western shirt history

While you think it’d be tough to track down the person behind the Western shirt’s traditional design, its origin story is well-documented. Jack Arnold Weil, the late founder of Colorado-based clothier Rockmount Ranch Wear, is the master behind the inimitable snaps, saw-tooth pocket, and even the bolo tie, and created the Western shirt as we know it in the 1940s. Moreover, the classic snap button design and yoke are two of the most integral elements that make up a premium Western, and you should keep an eye out for both whenever you decide it’s time to purchase one.

what defines a Western shirt?

In order to truly be a Western shirt, it must have the previously mentioned snap buttons and a yoke (which is usually stylized with unique embroidery). Many of these options will be made with denim, but don’t confuse Western shirts with denim shirts, as they still need to tick the previously mentioned boxes and can be made with other materials. If you’re looking for some denim shirt options without as much cowboy flair, then take a look at our best denim shirts guide.

The popularity of the Western shirt

It wasn’t long after the Western shirt’s invention that it was on the silver screen, being worn by legends like John Wayne and defining many of the classic Western films from the mid-20th century. Western wear, especially in the States, has always had some sort of foothold in the fashion world, whether it be the use of denim or subtle nods to the culture, and its current popularity in the space doesn’t seem to be losing steam any time soon.

Levi’s Men’s Classic Western Shirt

Best Starter Shirt: When it comes to anything cowboy-adjacent, Levi’s is anessential brandto include. The heritage clothier is adept at crafting all sorts of essentials, and its handsome western shirt is rounded out with all the traditional details, including a pair of chest pockets and snap-front closure, which Levi’s touts as “the epitome of rugged Americana.”

Material: 65.8% cotton and 34.2% polyester
Fit: Standard

Tecovas Denim Pearl Snap

Best Classic Shirt: This stylish, affordable choice is available in several colors, including the pictured Coriander, light blue, and gray. It is crafted from breathable denim and made sturdy with a reinforced collar and brass-accented pearl snaps. To make the most of the Tecovas catalog, consider picking up the brand’s Straight Western Jean to fulfill the getup.

Material: 100% cotton
Fit: Standard

Howler Brothers Crosscut Deluxe Snapshirt

Best Vintage-Inspired Shirt: Howler Brothers are based in the heart of Austin, so it knows a thing or two about conventional Western style. Accordingly, it makes an exemplary shirt to fit the mold, boasting a quick-drying composition and pearl snaps on the placket, pockets, and cuffs. Lastly, it’s rounded out with contrast stitching and hibiscus flower embellishments to give the shirt a lively touch.

Material: 98% cotton and 2% polyester stretch chambray
Fit: Regular

Taylor Stitch The Western Shirt

Best Selvedge Shirt: Taylor Stitch lies in a similar realm to F&T and Tecovas, serving as a trio of brands that embellish vintage Americana to the fullest. That notion works its way down to the San Francisco clothier’s handsome Western option, composed of nothing but organic selvedge denim and finished off with genuine YKK Western snaps for a rugged closure that’s built to last.

Material: 6oz 100% organic cotton selvedge denim
Fit: Tailored

Iron and Resin Tonopah Western Pearl Snap Shirt

Best Southwestern-Inspired Shirt: While this may not look like another one of Iron and Resin’s moto-friendly pieces at first glance, this Western shirt still has all the marks of an adventure-ready garment. It’s cut from washed denim, so you’re getting a lived-in look and feel right away, and features unique embroidery inspired by Tonopah, Nevada, on the front and back of the shirt. You’ll find pearl snaps keeping everything in place, and double-needle felled stitching along stress points to increase durability.

Material: 7oz 100% cotton denim
Fit: Slim

Richter Goods Duck Canvas Pearl Snap Weekday Western Shirt

Best American-Made Shirt: The San Antonio-based label Richter Goods is the perfect example of cultures coming together to elevate style. Mario Guajardo, the man who started the company, is the son of native Texans and grew up in Mexico City, and both of these cultures would inspire him to create his own authentic small-batch Western shirts in Texas. This shirt is no exception, as it’s also handmade in Texas, and has been pre-washed for an even more authentic look and feel.

Material: 100% cotton
Fit: Regular

Pendleton Snap Front Western Shirt

Best Wool Shirt: You may be more familiar with Pendleton’s ultra-cozy blankets, but its clothing catalog is equally notable. This chic, wool-crafted option is composed of materials sourced from Oregon ranchers and then woven in the heritage brand’s American mills, deeming it a continental affair resulting from a keen eye for detail. Additionally, it has all the traditional elements but is far warmer than most options that appear here.

Material: 100% virgin wool
Fits: Regular and tall

Flint and Tinder Japanese Bone Button Western Shirt

Best Japanese Selvedge Shirt: It’s no surprise that Huckberry’s house brand manufactures a fantastic Western shirt, and the Japanese Selvedge construction on its signature Bone Button top is an ideal choice thanks to its versatile appeal and durability. Plus, each snap is unique and made of river pearl shells, and the shirt is durably sewn to deliver a sturdy last result.

Material: 100% cotton
Fit: Regular

RRL Corduroy Buffalo Western Workshirt

Best Corduroy Shirt: RRL is a sublabel of Ralph Lauren that celebrates Americana by revamping and honoring classic styles from the States. And they’ve done it again with this corduroy Western shirt which has been laundered for a worn-in look and feel out of the box, and tied together with eye-catching diamond snaps. This super soft fine wale corduroy hails from France, and the shirt comes in a slim fit with a trim cut throughout the sleeves and body.

Material: 100% cotton
Fit: Slim