Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
If you are looking for a durable top that can be either worn on its own or layered then a good work shirt is the obvious answer. That’s precisely why we’ve put together a list of six of the best work shirts out there, with the caveats that they must feature highly textured, indigo fabric. This ensures they’ll develop a beautiful patina with each and every wear you put into them.
1) Rogue Territory: Work Shirt in Indigo Selvedge Canvas
Rogue Territory is well known for a variety of offerings, although the Indigo Selvedge Canvas wears have always been amongst their most popular. This fabric is made into this iteration of their Work Shirt, which features made in Japan urea buttons, chainstitch detailing, and two flapped front pockets. While certainly one of the more basic shirts on this list, with wear and tear the texture and colors of this shirt will begin to standout.
Available for $235 from Rogue Territory.
2) Momotaro: Work Shirt in Indigo Jacquard
Momotaro‘s Work Shirt in Indigo Jacquard is a great option if you are looking for a shirt with a distinctive pattern in addition to heavy texture. It features two front chest pockets, one with a smaller pocket on top of it, urea buttons, and chainstitch runoff. While a little more refined than many work shirts out there, this piece remains easy to wear with a workwear wardrobe.
Available for $226 from Momotaro.
3) Studio d’Artisan: Noragi Sashiko Work Shirt in Indigo
Studio d’Artisan may be best known for their jeans, but their attention to detail and top notch fabrics just as apparent in their Noragi Sashiko Work Shirt. Made with a classic work shirt pattern, this piece features a heavyweight fabric with sashiko stitch detailing, corozo buttons, and double needle stitching throughout.
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While a bit too beautiful to consider wearing for real work, this shirt would still make a great piece of outerwear when you only need a little additional warmth with your outfit.
Available for $335 from Blue Owl.
4) Samurai Jeans: SSS21-KM “Kemanmon” Work Shirt in Indigo/Black Denim
Samurai Jeans are known for their top quality jeans made from the best denim, so it should shock no one that their SSS21-KM Kemanmon Work Shirt is constructed from a sturdy, 10 oz. indigo/black denim. It’s finished with a discharge print pattern, metal buttons, and triple needle construction.
As is the case with most of the shirts on this list, this one is a bit more gaudy than a traditional work shirt. But be that as it may its durable materials, top notch construction, and overall style make it a great choice for both outerwear or a base layer shirt.
Available for $235 from Okayama Denim.
5) Iron Heart: Waffle Work Shirt in Indigo
Iron Heart is inarguably the champion of heavyweight jeans, and while not quite as heavy as their denim offerings their Waffle Work Shirt is a sturdy garment nonetheless. This shirt is constructed from an indigo dyed waffle fabric, which features a vertically textured pattern, with felled seams, black cat’s eye buttons, triple needle stitching, and chain stitching run off.
Whether you’re wearing this shirt around the town, for your outdoor chores, or for actual work, Iron Heart’s Waffle Work Shirt will be around for years to come.
Available for $275 from Iron Heart.
Plus One – Studio d’Artisan: Kasuri Work Shirt in Indigo
Studio d’Artisan may already be on this list, but both shirts are beautiful in their own right with their Kasuri Work Shirt really separating itself from the rest of the pack. Made in Japan from 100% cotton fabric that has been Kasuri dyed, this shirts features a beautiful variety of indigo hues with a vertical texture.
Finished with chainstitch run off and contrasting buttons, this might not be the kind of shirt you find yourself wearing for real work—but anyone with a workwear wardrobe could easily fit this piece into a shirting rotation.
Available for $265 from Blue Owl.
