May 27, 2019
I prefer chambray – it’s more “shirt weight” fabric, but if you can find a lovely denim shirt, grab it! It should last forever… Might take a while to break in, but worth the effort, I’d say.
This shirt seems pretty versatile. If I could find one without chest pockets, I’d be happier, but sometimes, one must compromise just a bit, right?
chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory
I have a few thoughts about what to keep in mind when you get one of these shirts. These are, of course, just guidelines! But as I often suggest, simpler is better…
One of the easiest ways to wear this shirt is to pull it on like a jacket on cool evenings…
tee shirt – Alternative; earrings – Karl Lagerfeld Paris; shorts – Lands’ End; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; sandals – Splendid
Maybe you feel TOO dressy? Or a cool breeze kicks up? Picture this shirt tied at the waist over this lovely dress…
flower earrings – Nakamol Design; dress – J.Crew; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; bracelet – Poporcelain; sandals – Seychelles
No matter what tee shirt and pants you wear, this shirt will probably go well with your outfit. That’s the joy of something that’s denim blue – it’s a neutral!
tee – Banana Republic; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; sneakers – Converse; pants – Lands’ End; scarf – Allsaints
Of course, you can wear this shirt just as you would wear any shirt, under a sweater…
blue topaz earrings – Shanker; cashmere sweater – Lands’ End; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; boots – SoftWalk; pants – Lafayette 148 New York
If you feel like your “warm” color is hard to wear, maybe a touch of denim near your face will help…
tortoise resin earrings – And Other Stories; camel sweater – J.Crew; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; loafers – Taryn Rose Collection; pants – M Missoni
If you’re migrating from warm colors to cool, or vice versa, a denim shirt can help you bridge the transition…
scarf – Image Diary; sweater – L.L.Bean; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; sneakers – Blackstone; pants – L.L.Bean
Chambray really does go with every color…
cardigan – Uniqlo; bracelet – Fierce Lynx Designs; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; boots – Kodiak; jeans – Lands’ End
Maybe you’ve got a garment that’s bright, and you want to balance that with something more softly neutral:
blazer – 1901; scarf – The Met Store; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; linen pants – NYDJ; flats – Steve Madden
Unsure about how dressy you need to be? If you wore this, you could always pull off your sweater, in the worst case…
earrings – Nadri; sweater – N. Peal; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; silk pants – Eileen Fisher; shoes – Jeffrey Campbell
Feeling suddenly over-exposed? Too much sun?
sunglasses – Quay Australia; swimsuit – Lands End; chambray shirt – J.Crew Factory; sandals – Treasure & Bond; tote – Le Sport Sac
As often as I travel, there aren’t a lot of garments that I pack for EVERY trip, but my chambray shirt is always with me!
love,
Janice
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Love my chambray shirt; love these new ways to wear it; love the shoutout; love you!
I’m looking for a replacement for mine which is getting worn out. I love all of these ideas. One more way I like to wear mine is knotted at the waist over a summer dress. It’s great to see how our basics can be worn in a multitude of ways across all seasons!
Oh jeez how did I miss the dress, that’s what happens when I look at your posts on my phone
I am loving this series! I have heard the basic chambray shirt described as “the Swiss Army knife of shirts,” and I don’t disagree. Your post wonderfully illustrates its versatility.
This is a great post.. I am taking a trip soon and had not thought about taking my denim/chambray shirt..but now I am! Thank you and, hope you are feeling better!
I’ve been on a long hunt for a pocketless chambray shirt, as well, at any price point. I finally found one this Spring at Dillard’s. It’s got Tencel in it and drapes nicely. So far I’m happy with this purchase. It’s on sale now. https://www.dillards.com/p/westbound-petite-size-button-front-shirt/509022315
I love the versatility of this look. Unfortunately I have given up on button front shirts. Even without the horrors of a chest pocket, I find the buttons always gape at the mid-front. If the shirt is large enough to avoid that, the shoulder is hanging down by my elbow. I sew a bit but a shirt like this is too complicated for me. It’s one of these items that looks good on someone else.
My current favourite way is a Breton top, with a chambray shirt worn open, and topped with a chunky Arran cardigan, also worn open. Jeans, boots or trainers. My chambray shirt is a bit big, and I also like to wear it open with just one side knotted. Linda M
I have very carefully removed pockets from shirts. Stitch by stitch! Wash and press.
I love a denim or chambray shirt! Just as you showed, it’s often just the thing to add some flattering colour, a little zip, or to “casualize” or soften a black outfit. I wear one frequently! Looks great with white jeans, or any colour, really.
Thanks for this and hope you are feeling much better.
I just ordered the chambray shirt through your link.
Sharing the love for denim/chambray shirts. My favourite are Western pearlized snap-fronts. If it doesn’t have those, I replace the plastic buttons with real mother of pearl.
I’m with Duchesse in that my go-to chambray/denim shirts are Western pearlized snap-fronts. I hear you on simpler equals more versatility, & yes Western yolk & pearlized snap buttons do have a cowboy origin, but they’re true classics & just as versatile. Actually, I find the pearlized snaps more versatile & easier to dress up or down because, well, they’re pearlized! Thanks for the great post!
Everybody gets to choose their own classics – that’s the way it should be!
hugs,
Janice
I prefer a soft denim to a chambray, but I love and have both. Perfect year round workhorses of my wardrobe. – nancyo
I have this shirt and it’s pretty great, but not 100% what I am searching for: a replacement for my holy grail chambray shirt from Gap, from many, many years ago when the clothes were higher quality. A chambray shirt has always been my go-to beach cover up as well as topper for cool spring and summer evenings. I’ve had much less success layering them under sweaters than over t-shirts.
I don’t own any chambray or denim. It’s the one shade of blue I don’t care for.
But I do have a pure linen white blouse that I use just like this chambray shirt.
I love it wrinkles and all.
It dials down a starched look, a too dressy look. It’s a great bathing suit cover up.
It’s a casual summer jacket alternative when a cardigan would be too fussy.
I’ve never thought of putting it with a dress. Brilliant idea Janice!