A Look to Look Into: Chambray Shirts

Chambray shirts are a basic that serve as an easy alternative to the simple T-shirt. Chambray shirts can be dressed up (with a maxi skirt) or down (with dark denim). They can be conservatively tucked in or coquettishly tied to bare just the slightest hint of a midriff. 

A History of Chambray:

Chambray fabric originated in Chambrai,France in the 1500s. The manner in which the fabric is woven makes it a lighter weight fabric than denim.The U.S. Navy adopted Chambray fabric in 1901 and utilized it through World War II. The recent resurgence in naval trends is credited with increasing the popularity of Chambray today.

Chambray in the Navy

Brando in Chambray Shirt

Chambray Inspiration: 

Cupcakes & Cashmere

J. Crew

Ashley Olsen

Atlantic-Pacific

Reese Witherspoon

Chambray in Classic Films

Three Shirts, Three Price Points:

MANGO Chambray Shirt: $28.17

J. Crew Chambray Shirt: $78

Double RL Chambray Shirt: $195

Pair Chambray with:

Outfit One:

A maxi skirt 

A.L.C. Maxi Skirt

Either tuck in & belt or tie so that you are showing just a sliver of skin.

Outfit Two:

With Denim 

J. Brand Skinny Jeans: $169

Outfit Three: 

With leather 

The Row Leather Pencil Skirt: $2050

Outfit Four:

With shorts 

Outfit Five:

Over a dress 

Keep it unbuttoned and tie it at the bottom with a Hot Pink Madewell Dress: $198

Outfit Six:

With knee-length skirt

J. Crew Skirt: $120

Outfit Seven:

With mini skirt

Haute Hippie Skirt: $495

And one final image...

Marilyn Monroe in a Chambray Shirt, 1964