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Whatever happened to real men? You know, the burly guys who sat on steel beams and lassoed wild buffalo and…jackhammered stuff. (Right? Right.) Couldn’t be us, of course — if we’re being frank, our version of “working with our hands” is limited to pounding our keyboards on deadline and occasionally air-balling a three. But regardless of whether your worksite skews construction zone or corner cubicle, every guy’s vocational pursuits should include a holy grail of workwear in one of the best work shirts for men.
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Inspired by pirates and Ralph Waldo EmersonWhat Are Work Shirts?
Sure, they sound innocuous (if not downright outdated), but work shirts — tops built for movement, durability and protection, often constructed from a stain-resistant heavy twill or wool and typically featuring symmetrical two chest pockets — have a long history in the everyman’s closet, and for good reason.
Documented all the way back into the 1930s and with roots in early western work wear, the work shirt has been a companion to laborers for decades, with specific reinforcements and temp-regulating tech to help dudes perform. And while the demands for your average guy are different than they were 100 years ago, the work shirt has evolved with us into a bona fide closet staple, used for layering as fall draws near and general workwear hero vibes.
Work Shirts Versus Dress Shirts: What’s the Difference?
Unlike traditional dress shirts, work shirts are, as previously mentioned, built for outdoor wear and tear, often featuring repellant qualities and heavier materials that put your average coffee-stained Oxford to shame. Other differences include dual chest pockets, oversized buttons (originally incorporated to make it easier to maneuver with work gloves on) and a relaxed or standard fit as compared to a more fitted dress shirt.
Now more than ever, they’ve been democratized into virtually every style imaginable, from preppy to proper blue-collar, all unified by a can-do attitude and some serious flexiness with a pair of loose trousers or denim cut-offs. To help you find the work shirt that’s right for you, we’ve compiled our favorites below. There are true hard-wearing pieces from Carhartt and Dickies, as well as high-fashion interpretations from labels like Drake’s and A-Cold-Wall. Below, the best work shirts for men to help you look fly on the job.
The Best Work Shirts for Men in 2023
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