CHAMBRAY SHIRT from H&M
As I was folding laundry, I realized that my entire wardrobe is pretty much built around staples — versatile pieces that I can pretty much wear every day, but easily make them look different by how I style them. As a mom, it’s really (really) nice to have easy options, because there just isn’t any time to think about what you should wear and what goes together. Sometimes finding shower time and time to sit down is hard enough! And so a new series was born! “Favorite Staples” will break down our favorite staples (let me know your favorites in the comments!) and show the easiest/best/most awesome ways to style it!
Maybe one of my favorite staples (I will probably say this every single time) is The Chambray Shirt. It’s that token denim piece that goes with pretty much everything, but for your upper body. If you don’t already have a Chambray (or denim shirt) in your current wardrobe, these are the easy/most awesome ways to style it and why you should go grab one!
Maybe it’s a little chilly, or you just want to make your favorite dress a bit more casual. Grab that chambray shirt, button it up or leave it open and tie it at the waist. This works great with any style of dress, and it’s a great way to transition a summer dress (maybe a summer maxi) into Fall.
This is a great option for a casual Friday or a denim day at work. It takes trousers that might be a bit more dressy and instantly makes them great for everyday wear. Also the chambray shirt is the ideal pairing for a pair of patterned jeans/pants/shorts.
A flowy maxi skirt or a shorter circle skirt paired with a tucked in chambray is the perfect match – belt or not belt it can be worn either on a casual day or maybe even a date. The chambray works great with a pencil style skirt too, but could be too fitted to tuck in (you don’t want to see the tucked in shirt through your skirt) – so you can try leaving it hanging or tie it a bit lower on the waist.
Maybe the best part about Fall; other then the beautiful colors of nature, the crisp weather and the crunchy leaves, of course. Layering, thought it’s not going to be your best bet when the weather is still hot. Under your favorite sweater is a great way to add interest and break up color between your top and bottom. Also a great way to wear some of those shorter crop length sweaters that are all over the place.
Take those summer dresses straight into fall, and layer your chambray shirt underneath! Instead of tieing it at the waist, try it underneath for a totally different look.This is great for a day you know is going to be chilly and stay chilly, because it’s a bit harder to take layers off as the day goes on – unless you are a magician.
Maybe you don’t have a jacket that works with your outfit. Try layering your chambray over top and leaving it open. It makes the perfect casual light jacket, great for over a dress or over a monochromatic outfit.
These are some of my favorite ways to style my chambray shirt — it’s one of those pieces that help make other items in my closet more versatile. I mean, there are at least 3 different ways above that you can wear a dress, on top of just wearing it alone as a dress – that’s a huge win in my fashion loving head.
So tell us, do you have a chambray shirt? Is it one of your favorite staples? Do you have a favorite staple you would like to see styling options for?
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
great post! love it. I have one chambray I love from LOFT, but it is a darker wash so I want a second one that is a bit lighter. I have a hard time finding one that fits well though. the ones from H&M are really short on me, and I don’t like the fit of the ones at target.
My favorite way to wear chambray is with a long tee underneath and over leggings with cognac boots. so effortless and chic.
Second favorite is with black pants and boots. I can wear that to work since my job is business casual.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I love my chambray top! It took me a while to find one that was soft enough and fit. I got it at Pac Sun. I love to wear it with colored shorts or skinny jeans. I also wear it with maxi skirts.
bananas / 9973 posts
I have probably way too many chambray shirts! But you can never have enough! They are like LBDs – but casual!
pomegranate / 3383 posts
@shopaholic: your chambray collection inspired me to buy more!
I have 2 (one from anthro and a polka dot chambray from old navy) and I just bought 2 more. I usually just wear them with a pair of coloured or patterned skinny jeans. I love the ideas in this post!
nectarine / 2504 posts
@shopaholic: Where do you buy your Chambray shirts? =) I saw cute ones from Madewell but I’m not sure I want to drop $80…
grapefruit / 4400 posts
Umm… so what makes a denim shirt a “chambray?” Is it just a fancy way of saying, “denim button up blouse?”
cherry / 115 posts
@Mrs. Pen: Super cute!
cherry / 115 posts
@HabesBabe: denim and chambray are “technically” different, but they visually look really similar. Both are woven with a light color going horizontal (usually white) and a darker on the vertical. A chambray has more of a linen feel and denim is twill. So you can think of a chambray as a *lighter* denim shirt, which is why everyone usually groups them together. Sorry, really loong winded!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
I don’t own a chambray shirt!! Will have to pick one up one of these days!