Men’s Guide to Wearing Chambray

Nothing will give you that immediate rockstar feeling like a chambray shirt – it defines understated cool. The chambray shirt is the one statement piece that never has to make a status because of its notorious connection with some rebels without a cause. Classic style icons like James Dean, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Bob Dylan all created this trend, while modern-day style gurus David Beckham, Zac Efron, Eddy Redmayne, and Jake Gyllenhaal rocked this timeless piece and made sure it is here to stay. So, how do you balance function and style for this trend? We have put together a simple guide to ensuring you never leave the house looking like anything but a rockstar.

Chambray vs Denim

Chambray and denim can be found in both heavy and lightweight styles. The heavier versions will seem more casual and be more durable and rugged. Higher thread-count versions of the denim will be thinner and lightweight and seem more “dressed up” than lower thread-count versions. Lighter-weight chambray can have either a dressy or casual appeal. Some will be woven with a tighter weave, have a nice shine, and dress up nicely, while others will have a very noticeable fabric slub and a looser, gauzier weave that is better suited for casual shirting. Typically, you will notice a lighter color to the underside of a denim fabric, whereas the underside of a chambray will appear much more similar to its face side.

How to Wear Chambray

Keep it Cool

Chambray has such a cult status because of its off-duty cool vibe, so keep it simple, keep it cool. Do not try to think too hard about how to style this item. It is best thrown over a plain white tee or paired with some jeans for that Texas Tuxedo look. However you decide to wear it, as long as you keep your look simple, you will have that rockstar feel, trust us.

Polish Your Look

Chambray does not have to be worn in that messy, undone rockstar way. Full-tuck it into dark pants or light-colored chinos, and you are good to go to those casual lunches or summer parties.

Try it in a Suit

Chambray is not just about the shirt. Recently, because of its popularity and versatility, it has expanded into the world of suits. The light blue weave makes a fresh alternative to traditional suit colors and can be less formal. Think of chambray-like denim as a neutral base, allowing you to play with suit and tie combinations.

Layer it

The beauty of chambray is that it is transseasonal. Investing in quality pieces, like a heavy-feel shirt and a lighter-weight one, will have all your bases covered every season. Wear it under a coat for an extra layer, or open it as a coat.

Roger Grindstead

Fashion Designer / Writer

Roger Grinstead is a senior apparel designer for X2U with over 25 years of expertise in the fashion industry. He has expertise in menswear and womenswear trends and product development. When Roger is not designing the latest fashion garments, he enjoys writing about men's fashion, hairstyles, and grooming.