It’s been said that you shouldn’t adopt a fashion trend if you’re old enough to have worn it the first time it was a thing.
I’ve long poo-pooed this outdated notion.
And it’s a good job I have too.
Why should all the sweet young things have all the fun? Fashion is fun and it should be fun for all ages.
What you wear should make you feel nothing short of fabulous. And if that fabulous takes the form of a garment not dissimilar to that which you wore Back In The Day, then I say go for it.
In this post, the garment I’m saying go for is the humble wardrobe warrior that is the chambray shirt.
Chambray by fabric definition is “a plain weave fabric woven with a coloured yarn in the warp and a white yarn in the weft”. In layman’s terms this means a (usually) blue cotton fabric with a white thread through it.
It’s a lighter weight than denim.
The fabric originated in the French town of Cambrai in the 16th Century.
In WWII, the US Navy adopted the chambray shirt as part of its uniform, with a white t-shirt underneath and navy pants.
In 1990 I bought my first chambray shirt from Country Road. I loved and cherished that shirt … as much as I now do the THREE chambray shirts hanging in my wardrobe.
So when an Adelaide reader contacted me this week for a little advice on how to wear her newly purchased shirt, I thought others might like some tips and inspiration too.
I just bought a tencil demin shirt and love it but I don’t do denim and denim. I know it’s on trend but I’m just not that trendy! Can you suggest how and what to wear with it? – Taryn
Style tips
1. Don’t be afraid of demin + denim. It’s ok to opt not to embrace double denim but before you do veto it from your wardrobe life, give it a try. The key is to work two pieces together of different shades, a pale chambray shirt with indigo jeans. The contrast is important.
2. Black jeans/skirts/pants are your chambray bestie. Chambray and black is super smart and can take you from casual to dressy in to time at all. This combination is one of my faves. Try black leather or faux leather for evening interest.
3. Mix up your look with tan or taupe accessories and shoes. These neutrals work so well with a chambray blue because they’re almost opposites on the colour wheel. Leopard print and chambray is a match made in wardrobe heaven for the very same reason.
4. Look for a shirt that is lightweight and drapes beautifully over the bust and hip. A chambray shirt is all about the relaxed so avoid choosing a chambray that is heavy and stiff and opt for a design that drapes.
5. You don’t have to wear your shirt buttoned up. Wear it as a jacket fully open with a tee underneath. Tie it around your waist. Half tuck into your jeans or shirt. Tie it to create a crop-style shirt over a maxi skirt or dress.
6. Embrace this classic – for that’s what it’s become. A chambray shirt acts like a neutral in your wardrobe, allowing you to get creative with the bottom half of your outfit while still feeling effortlessly chic.
Style inspiration
The real-women of #everydaystyle (follow along on this Instagram hashtag for daily style inspiration) know how to rock a chambray shirt. Check out this selection for ideas on how to wear yours. For outfit details, click on the link below each photo and follow each of these fabulous ladies while you’re there.
Sussan chambray shirt | Firefly vest | Frankie4 Footwear boots | Harlow Australia jeans | Louenhide bag
Sussan chambray shirt, skirt and clutch | Nine West Heels
Shop the look now
The chambray shirt is a great trans-seasonal fashion buy and there are lots of options out there for your trans-seasonal shopping pleasure. The look below is one to play with as it warms up. The contrast between the pastel tones of the trench and shirt with the strong anchors of the tan leather and stripes add interest. Wear the trench open to perfect a lightly layered look.
1. Sussan trench $199.95 | 2. Sportscraft shirt $129.99 | 3. Witchery scarf $69.95 | 4. Sussan bag $79.95 | 5. Bird Keepers skirt $59.95 | 6. Mollini heel $199.95
So tell me, would I find a chambray shirt in your wardrobe? How do you wear yours?
Comments 43
You are a bad influence. Brought my first chambray shirt the other day at Just Jeans on sale. Going to stick with the blue shirt/black jeans/tan boots combo.
Firstly a big CONGRATULATIONS for winning the Telstra Awards. So proud of you Nikki! Secondly, thank you for always being the realist and helping us with our style! x
oh i so miss my chambray shirt. i used to have a levis one in the 90’s. I may need to go purchase one as i wore my old one to death 🙂
I have a Just Jeans chambray shirt I picked up in the new year sales but haven’t been able to wear it due the fact I had zero idea what to style it with. Thank you Nikki for these tips; I’m going to jazz it up with a black skirt.
CottonOn have a lovely denim shirt ATM.
Thanks for the hot tip!
I love my Chambray shirts! I too have heard that you shouldn’t wear a trend that you were old enough to wear the first time round, but I’ve ignored it for the classic Chambray Shirt. However I will firmly apply that rule if hair crimping & scrunchies come back! X Allison @ http://www.thetallmamastyle.blogspot.com.au
HAH … I’ve seen some scrunchies around. NOT. GOING. THERE.
I love chambray shirts! Just had to ditch one that was literally worn out/through, but thankfully found a replacement in no time flat (cheapo one from Big W, but as I’m going through a weightloss phase I don’t want to buy a lot of clothes right now).
Have owned the new version 2 weeks and so far have worn it: buttoned with a black ponte pencil skirt, black tights and Mary Janes; open over a black maxi dress, with boots; half-buttoned over the same black maxi dress with black leather Converse; half-buttoned over a white singlet, with black skinnies and white leather Converse. Love it!
Oh you’re on it Mel … and great find!
Love you in chambray!
I have two – a button up Jag one that I wear as a ‘jacket’ / outer layer, and the other is from Katies and I wear as a shirt with a scarf for pizazz. I usually team them with stripes or black. Yet to do double denim – dying to….not sure what’s holding me back 🙂
Cx
The last look with heels and a skirt us my favourite! I don’t own one… Maybe I need to go shopping 🙂
Such a versatile piece Jess!
My first chambray shirt was back in the 80’s; an Esprit one. I’ve owned several since then but none in recent years. I’ve noticed them appearing in the shops again – yippee! I love the shirt with a black denim skinny skirt. Must keep my eyes open! All the women shown look AMAZING in their denim 🙂
They do look amazing Petra!
Love you in chambray! I tend to wear my chambray shirt with black denim – a mix of denim on denim with a contrast. I also love chambray worked back with a striped top or skirt. x
Love all of those looks Vanessa!
Love all of those looks Vanessa!
Yeeees! Love a good Chambray shirt and these days own 3 that are wardrobe staples. The ladies are looking just casual chic, love it.
Three is a very good number Ms Sugercoatit!
Nice, rounded… It works. Haha.
What a bunch of chic chambray cuties! Love the array of inspiration we can call upon thanks to your #everydaystyle hashtag. x
It is such a daily inspiration Sonia!
Along with most women my age I also rocked a CR chambray shirt with a pencil skirt to work back in the day and I wear one now, too.
I think they’re brilliant for travel if you can find one that doesn’t crinkle too much. I wear mine over a t-shirt with jeans or ponte pants, like a few of the ladies above; tied around the waist with a t-dress or under a knit with the collar and hem poking out.
Yes, finding one that doesn’t crease too much is perfect for that Johanne. My Sussan one from earlier in the year (pictured) isn’t too bad.
Along with most women my age I also rocked a CR chambray shirt with a pencil skirt to work back in the day and I wear one now, too.
I think they’re brilliant for travel if you can find one that doesn’t crinkle too much. I wear mine over a t-shirt with jeans or ponte pants, like a few of the ladies above; tied around the waist with a t-dress or under a knit with the collar and hem poking out.
Oh, I love a chambray shirt!! I am especially loving it with the black skirt and leopard heels Nikki. I feel a copy-cat coming on. Thanks so much for the feature. Loving being in the same post as these amazing style mavens!!! Bron x
Very lovely to have you here Bron x
Very lovely to have you here Bron x
Last outfit of you: Hot as all get out.
LOL – thanks! x
I love chambray shirts I have one but don’t wear it often enough,though I will after seeing this post Nikki!
I adore how you’ve dressed the chambray shirt up in your pic with your skirt it looks really dressy,thank you and I love leopard or tan with chambray too Xx
Look forward to seeing you rock your shirt Lisa! x
Not into chambray at all! Or so I thought .. I actually love the shirt with the black pencil skirt and leopard accessories. Maybe I need one after all. Yes, I do
LOL Suzie … that look is a fave of mine as it’s a dress-up/dress-down contrast.
I love the chambray shirt. Have a light one and a darker one and wear them with black jeans, striped skirt or thrown on over a black tube maxi. so versatile. Never thought of dressing it up with heels – love the look in the last pic Nikki. Still on the hunt for a good black tube skirt! x
Thanks so much … I love the contrast of the dress-down shirt with dress up skirt and heels. It’s a bit of fun!
Metalicus have excellent tube skirts, in black and in colours. I bought this stripey one not too long ago and nearly got a black one at the same time which I loved, but have other black skirts so couldn’t justify it. http://www.metalicus.com/collections/skirts/rue-stripe-tube-skirt-black-beige.html
Thanks Deborah – will investigate!
I bought a chambray shirt at the start of winter but I haven’t worn it much because I really wasn’t sure what to put it with. Thanks for the inspiration I’m going to wear it today 🙂
Oh excellent Kate! It will serve you well in spring too.
Love chambray! I had two shirts back in the 90’s too. Now I have one shirt, and a dress. So comfortable and soft on the skin. I did double denim back in the ahem 70’s….. 🙂
See it’s a trend that will never disappear. I say if you love it, embrace it!