Denim offers a classic, familiar look that many people use as a staple of their wardrobes. Denim goes with anything. It's sturdy, durable, and ready to go wherever you are. It is also, however, heavy and hot: two things you may not want to add to your chic women’s clothing. Curious about the difference between chambray vs denim?

Chambray fabric is lighter than denim, with a looser plain weave that is one of the best fabrics for summer. It is much thinner, in general, than denim fabric, which makes it a much more comfortable choice for many of your summer outfits. Chambray is also appropriate for wear at any time of the year. It could be perfect for a fall wardrobe staple, that will allow you to show off your sense of style or wear for a casual dress code for a wedding. Chambray is a great multi-purpose addition to your wardrobe that can go anywhere and offer a lot of advantages.

Chambray Fabric: Defined

Chambray is typically 100% cotton fabric made from a plain weave: a basic weaving style where the weft thread alternates simply over and under the warp thread. Chambray generally has a dyed warp thread, traditionally denim blue, and a white weft thread to lighten the color of the woven fabric. Chambray can be used for a variety of clothing options. It can be used for many of the same purposes as denim, including both shirts and pants. While it's not as tough and durable, it is much more breathable, making it a more comfortable clothing choice for many everyday and summer wear items.

Chambray is one of those fabrics that naturally grows softer and more comfortable over time. It has a high thread count, so it offers comfort and breathability—an addition that many people appreciate deeply. After several washes, chambray often becomes buttery soft. Many people find that their chambray clothing becomes one of their favorite wardrobe staples—and they continue reaching for those staples over and over again.

Chambray Styles

Chambray fabric can be utilized as a part of your everyday wardrobe. Since chambray usually comes in light blue, it can be mixed and matched with many of your other favorite pieces: paired with darker leggings or jeans in a variety of colors, worn over white pants or boho tops, or spiced up with your favorite bright accessories.

Chambray Button-Up Shirts

Chambray button-up shirts are great for a comfortable, casual look, whether you wear them in solid colors or patterns. They're perfect for wearing with your favorite pair of jeans, shorts, or comfortable khakis for a neat, pulled-together look that you can take to the office or out for a day with friends. Chambray shirts are light and comfortable enough to wear all year.

You can also wear a chambray button-up shirt open over a tank top or t-shirt to add a layer of warmth when you're coming inside or to provide some sun protection when you've spent too much time outside during an event. The stylish look is perfect for buttoned-up or worn open, and you can add it to a variety of your favorite outfits.

Chambray Dresses

Chambray dresses are perfect for any season of the year. You can wear both long and short sleeve dresses through the summer months, depending on whether you want to welcome in the sun or use a light cover-up to help prevent sunburn. Add your favorite pair of sandals and some great accessories with a pop of color, and you'll have a gorgeous outfit that is perfect for a walk in the park, a day shopping with friends, or a day out near the beach. Chambray dresses continue to look neat and pressed without a lot of effort, which may make them the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.

Chambray Tops

Chambray tops come in a variety of designs and styles that can help fit your unique sense of fashion. Try a tie-front top when you're headed out for a casual afternoon at the mall or a day at the beach, a peasant top for a casual day at work, or a sleeveless top for a hot day out on the boat or a fun event. Chambray tops are the perfect outfit for a day when you want to continue to look your best all day long, even when you may have to get some work done or get a little sweaty in the heat.

Chambray Pants

While you probably won't want to wear chambray top to bottom, there are chambray pants options that will allow you the style and ease of denim with chambray's lighter weight and greater overall comfort. Chambray pants are available in a variety of styles, from jogger style to flared bottoms. Chambray pants may not hold their shape as well as denim, which means that they may look more rumpled at the end of the day. However, chambray pants will add a nice flair of style, and can be matched to many of your favorite plus size tops.

Making the Most of Chambray in Your Wardrobe

Whether you've already added chambray pieces to your wardrobe or you're waiting eagerly for your new clothing to arrive, there are several things to keep in mind about your chambray clothing. Chambray is one of those fabrics that only gets better with time. Your outfits will become increasingly comfortable when you take great care of your chambray items and make the most of each time you get to wear them.

Wash Cold, Tumble Dry Low

Chambray is usually made of 100% cotton, though some chambray clothing items will have other types of fibers woven in. As a result, chambray can shrink over time, especially if it's washed in hot water. To keep your chambray looking and fitting its best, make sure that you're washing on cold and tumble drying on low or line drying. You don't have to worry about dry cleaning chambray, but you should exercise care to ensure that it keeps fitting well over time.

Stain Treat Promptly

Eventually, you may end up with a stain or spill on your chambray clothing. Fortunately, chambray is fairly easy to wash, and stains often come out easily. Take care of any needed stain treatments as soon after the spill occurs as possible to help protect the longevity of your woven fabric and keep your outfits looking their best.

Plan to Iron

Chambray fabric wrinkles fairly easily compared to other types of shirt fabric, including denim. If you want it to look its best, consider pressing it with an iron before you wear it. Ironing your chambray shirts and dresses can help get you the pressed, neat look you want as you head out for your day. On the other hand, you may want to embrace the wrinkled look and use it as part of your style!

Make the Most of Your Accessories

In general, chambray is a more casual cotton fabric. However, that does not necessarily mean that your accessories have to be! Consider adding your favorite colorful accent pieces to your chambray outfits. You may want to:

• Use big, bright jewelry to help add a pop of color to your outfit. Chambray usually comes in a neutral indigo shade, so you can use those outfits as the perfect chance to show off all your favorite jewelry combinations!
• Add sandals or your favorite cute shoes to your chambray outfit. If you're wearing a chambray dress, you may want to highlight your favorite strappy sandals or your wedges. If you're wearing jeans with a chambray top, it could be the perfect chance to show off your favorite boots.
• Get creative with your handbag or purse. Chambray can go with anything, which makes it the perfect outfit for the cute bag that you never get to use.
• Consider wearing your favorite elegant jewelry pieces, from pearls to gold jewelry, to help dress up an outfit containing chambray and make it look its best.

Accessories are a great way to personalize your outfits and make sure that your unique sense of style is coming through. If you use chambray tops and shirts as part of a capsule wardrobe, using different accessories can also help set your daily outfits apart and ensure that you look and feel your best every day.

Are You Ready to Add Chambray to Your Wardrobe?

If you're looking for classic, comfortable chambray pieces that you can add to your wardrobe that will help you look and feel your best, Karen Kane can help. Take a look at our chambray shirt collections, dress collections, and more to find the perfect chambray pieces for your needs, whether you're looking for a casual look that will wear well at the office or a comfortable, cute piece to wear as you head out for a day with friends. Get started on your shopping journey today.

Sources:

1. https://thefabricofourlives.com/cotton-fabrics/chambray
2. https://www.landsend.com/article/what-is-chambray/