October 7, 2014
As I mentioned Saturday, I saw lots of denim and chambray shirts in Paris – they were worn in an amazing variety of ways…
Most simple is wearing these shirts with black. This can be a nice relaxed “out for the afternoon” outfits with pants and flats, or much dressier, with a pretty skirt and clutch bag. Sleeves can be rolled, collar stood up in back – anything that personalizes your shirt and makes you happy!
A collarless chambray shirt can be a nice counterpoint to a dressy skirt. Where something lacy or floral might go WAAAAY over the top, these outfits look like you mean to be dressy, but you’re not getting carried away. (and look – NO POCKETS!!!)
A faded denim shirt is an excellent way to break up an otherwise conservative workday outfit – perfect for Casual Fridays in a “not REALLY casual” office.
It can be really difficult to figure out what to wear with tweed, but denim always works well!
I saw someone wearing a denim shirt UNDER a plain black dress (make sure you’ve got room to do this – no sausage stuffing allowed!), and then 2 days later, when it was warm, I saw a denim shirt partly buttoned and belted over a floral dress. That’s imagination!
And of course, you can always wear a chambray shirt with jeans. It seems to look a lot nicer if the jeans aren’t blue… (and look – no breast pockets AGAIN!) These are examples of the rolled up jeans with substantial shoes that I mentioned Saturday – it was worn by women of all ages.
love,
Janice
Anonymous says
Hey, new header on your blog! Love a denim shirt, so thank you for this post.
celkalee says
As always Janice, your fashion perspective amazes me. I would probably pair the chambray shirt with jeans or maybe black jeans and leave it at that. I might toss on a sweater as well. Pathetic aren't I? Since most of my day to day dressing is casual now I really appreciate all your ideas. Thanks for all the work you do for those of us unable to think beyond the basic!!!
frugalscholar says
Oh, love the Vivienne header! Is that from the Vivienne shopping arcade in Paris? We happened up that last summer–so beautiful.
Janice Riggs says
It is indeed from the Galeries Vivienne – if you look really closely, you can see the toes of my dusty shoes peeping in between the V and the I. It is the loveliest little spot, isn't it?
Lynn says
Inspiring!
Anonymous says
Great header! And I love the shirt suggestions, especially the last one… those peach jeans are great!
Alice
Lady Light Travel says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm a big fan of chambray. Glad to hear it is on the streets of Paris.
Swissy says
I love the fresh ideas here. Some are definitely not for me, but I did wear my fitted chambray shirt with a tweed skirt today and I thought it looked really good. I have a chambray tunic that will fit into several of these suggested looks. Thanks again.
Anonymous says
We'll all have to club together and send you to Paris more often. I was wearing a new denim shirt yesterday and wondering if it was too young/studenty for me but I thought if I combined it with a turquoise necklace then it would be OK. Now I can see its fine for me, so thank you.
Also I loved the pale pink with black idea from your earlier post.
Great to have ideas for using the basics we already have in our wardrobes.
Here in the southern hemisphere denim shirts are good with white shorts for a beach weekend away.
I noticed in a CBD yesterday that the waistline has really gone out and shirts are worn untucked, by skinny people. Parisians are renowned for belting everything – has the waistline gone out in Paris or are they wearing for example a denim shirt tucked into a pleated skirt? (Impossible for we mortals…)
Kate
Janice Riggs says
I saw a lot of people in Paris, FROM PARIS, who weren't exactly svelte. But then didn't seem to care – they dressed as if they were!
Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says
I love chambray shirts and have one in black chambray. I was wondering how the shirts are worn with skirts? I can imagine with jeans and pants that the shirts could be tucked in, worn out and buttoned up, or worn over another t-shirt, but I can't quite envision how they work over a skirt without looking puffy or frumpy. Any thoughts?
Janice Riggs says
The shirts were worn tucked in. It was interesting to see…
Anonymous says
Did you visit wolff et decourtis in galleries vivienne? Beautiful scarves and shawls
Anonymous says
Great ideas, as always, Janice! By the way, as you mention the subject of pockets/no pockets on shirts. I'm busty and pockets add even more visual volume – not ideal, especially if it's just one pocket which just kind of unbalances my torso. So I just cut off any breast pockets on shirts (and also on sweaters or dresses). Of course I buy cheapish stuff and I'm quite fearless with my clothes. If I accidentally leave a hole, well I'll sew it up or toss the garment. But if you're a bit more skilfull than myself or are willing to pay a tailor, this is an easy alteration. Just carefully cut the seam from the back of the garment. You end up with some little "holes" in the fabric where the stitches used to be, but they usually dissappear after a wash or two.
Just an idea.
Warm regards,
Sonja
Anonymous says
Oops, I wanted to say "back of the fabric", not "back of the garment". That was a little confusing.
Sonja
Laura Arhire says
How would you wear them with the skirts (especially the 3-quarter length one) ? Tucked in or over the skirt?