How to Style a Chambray Shirt?

There must be a few formal or casual shirts in every lady’s wardrobe, most of which are made of denim, cotton, chiffon or silk. The chambray fabric we are going to introduce today is slightly similar to denim, but it is more skin-friendly and breathable, bringing people a more comfortable wearing experience, which is why it is popular among people.

If you like denim shirts but find they are too hot for summer, then look at the chambray shirts! Today we'll go into details about the features of this fabric, how it differs from denim, and what clothes to combine chambray shirts with.

What Is Chambray?

Chambray is a cotton fabric that originated in the 16th century in northern France. But originally it was made of linen. Such a shirt can protect your skin from the sun, and at the same time well transmit air and pleasantly fit the body, so chambray shirts were popular with farmers.

In the 20th century, cotton was used to produce chambray, and shirts made of this fabric were in demand among the working class. By the way, the color of these shirts gave rise to the name “blue collars”.

In addition, chambray shirts were also favored by the military and in the early 20th century became part of the uniforms of sailors in the U.S. Navy.

Chambray is a light, but at the same time dense fabric with a plain weave of light and dark colors, usually blue or light blue. And this color is muted, not saturated so the product looks slightly aged.

Durability is undoubtedly one of its greatest advantages. What else does it offer besides durability? Well, for one thing, it's breathable. You can wear chambray on a warm day and not feel hot at all. It's a workman's cloth, remember? And a working man shouldn't overheat. It is not heavy, unlike denim, it lets air flow well and yet looks stylish.

The shrinkage rate of chambray is usually around 3% - 5%. However, the actual shrinkage rate may vary depending on the specific composition of the fabric, the weaving process, and the finishing method. For example, the shrinkage rate of pure cotton chambray may be relatively high, while the shrinkage rate of chambray with special shrink-proof material may be controlled at a lower level, close to 3% or even lower.

In recent years, fashion has been trending towards comfort, practicality and sustainability, and chambray fits perfectly into these concepts. Unlike thick denim, which can become stiffer over time, chambray remains soft, lightweight and breathable, making it the perfect fabric for a spring or summer closet.

It looks more elegant and sophisticated, but still retains the same everyday versatility as denim. Its lightweight nature makes chambray much easier to create stylish layered looks, and it's even easier to pair with your usual jeans.

What Are the Differences between a Chambray Shirt and a Denim Shirt?

The most important thing to remember when buying a chambray shirt is that while it's similar to denim in color and has the same timeless versatility, it's not quite the same. Think of these fabrics as cousins: both are traditionally made from cotton, but chambray is much lighter. This makes chambray shirts a great option for spring and summer.

From the perspective of manufacturing process, unlike the tight twill weave of denim, chambray is woven in plain weave, making it much softer and lighter. Chambray is a cotton fabric made of solid-color warp yarn and bleached weft yarn and solid-color weft yarn, and the fabric structure is mainly plain. Chambray usually has a two-color effect. Its overall style is simple and plain, and the colors are relatively elegant. Common ones are light blue, light gray, beige, etc. Denim is usually woven with twill, which has a unique texture, with clear lines on the surface.

In terms of texture, chambray is thinner and lighter, with good breathability and comfort. Denim is thick, stiff, and has strong abrasion resistance and wrinkle resistance, but is not as breathable as chambray. However, after multiple washes, denim will gradually become softer and more comfortable to wear.

What Bottoms to Wear with a Chambray Shirt?

A chambray shirt is absolutely versatile to pair with any fashion ensemble in your closet, as it gives a softer, lighter feel to the casual outfit so it is wearable all year round. Shirts made from this fabric have a variety of ways to style it, whether you're aiming for a casual street style, feminine look, or office style.

To add color and femininity to your style, wear a chambray shirt with bright printed bottoms such as skirts and pants. The combination of a chambray shirt, a knee-length skirt and a pair of high heels is a casual yet feminine look. On the other hand, you can wear your chambray shirt as a jacket with a tank top or floral print pants that can instantly make your overall style more exciting.

If you want a more exciting style, then wear a chambray shirt with leather items such as jackets, pants and shorts. Adding rock and roll items to your style will enhance your simple and boring outfit. You can wear a leather jacket over the chambray shirt or wear leather pants and leather boots with it.

Wear a well designed chambray shirt unbuttoned as a light jacket over a simple t-shirt or tank top. Leave it open or tie it in the front for a more casual and relaxed look. Pair these with your favorite skinny jeans for a chic and casual look.

To create a business look, the combination of a grey chambray shirt with a dark blue or black blazer is perfect. Blue chambray shirts are suitable not only for everyday style. In the office, wear them with a gray or beige blazer, according to your mood and this outfit can be complemented by a blue or more colorful tie. Wear a pair of dark grey or navy blue suit pants to create an understated but professional look. A pair of black leather shoes is a great complementary for this outfit.

A pair of cargo pants is both functional and fashionable, and paired with a chambray shirt, they are suitable for creating a casual daily look. You can choose military green or black cargo pants, and match them with a pair of white sneakers and a baseball cap to add a harmonious sense of fashion and vitality.

Linen wide-leg pants are another good choice. They have natural texture and good breathability. When paired with a chambray shirt, they can create a literary and fresh temperament. You can choose light-colored linen wide-leg pants, such as white, light blue, etc., and pair them with a pair of sandals or flat shoes to show a casual literary elegance.

Creative Ways to Wear a Chambray Shirt

Many people are already familiar with the way of tying a knot with the hems of their shirt. Repeat the manipulation with the knot, but do not tie the hems of the chambray shirt. but tuck it into the bottoms crosswise. You can play with the back: leave it outside or tuck it in too. Choose the option that makes you feel like a queen.

Undo a few buttons at the top and open the chambray shirt so that your collarbones are visible. You can pull it down to show one or both shoulders. This outfit will emphasize the elegance of the neck and collarbones.

Another creative way of wearing a chambray shirt is to wear a tight over it. In fact, this method has long been sought after by many fashion experts. They prefer to combine an elongated shirt of free cut and tight tops with straps. Such a combination of tops is harmoniously combined with jeans and wide classic pants. When choosing the tight to be worn over the shirt, take into account that it should be one size larger. It would be even better if the color of the tights could be compatible with the shirt.

The unexpected way of wearing shirts backwards became popular a few years ago. This season stylists again recommend to look at it for those who are not afraid of bold experiments. To make the image spectacular, wear a basic chambray shirt with a loose cut. It can be both monochrome or with other minimalistic prints. We advise you to leave most of the back open - only the last three or four buttons should be buttoned and tucked into the pants.

To create an interesting look with a basic chambray shirt, try tying its sleeves at the waistline. First, put the shirt on. Then button the buttons, and twist the sleeves together and tie them in the shape of a bow.

If you are willing to modify the shirt yourself, your outfit will become more creative. Cut off the hem of a shirt to make it a short shirt. Pair it with high-waist jeans, shorts, skirts, etc. to show youthful vitality. If the shirt has long cuffs, you can also cut them off and make the edges a little frayed to make it more fashionable. You can also splice shirts of different colors and patterns to create a unique new shirt.