A Complete Guide To The Best Chambray Shirts For Men

The chambray shirt is everywhere this summer and the trend is set to last well into the winter (and probably next summer too). Come to think of it, chambray was trending last year and the year before that, too. Which is all the proof you need that it’s not a trend at all, but rather a fully-verified menswear staple.

It makes sense: the style been around since the 19th century. Yet what would once be considered an informal, workwear fabric is now perfectly acceptable to wear with tailoring – it’s arguably the most versatile type of shirt around.

So if you’re undecided on whether you need one (you shouldn’t be), let us detail how a good chambray shirt can up your casual game as well as breathe new life into an old suit. You’ll never doubt the humble fabric again.

What’s The Difference Between Chambray And Denim?

“Chambray is a cousin to denim”, says Massimo Caligaris of premium Italian mill, Canclini. To get a bit nerdy, whereas denim has a diagonal twill weave, chambray is a plain weave made with a coloured warp (the vertical yarn) and a white or ecru weft (the horizontal). Like denim, it is best known in indigo shades of blue but it can also be realised in other more unconventional hues.

It is generally lighter than denim and is usually made of cotton, linen or cotton/linen blends – it’s ideal for summer shirting as the plain weave and natural fibres breathe and allow cool air to pass through. There are tactile benefits, too. It’s typically very soft and smooth to the touch due to a finishing process where the cloth is heavily pressed, which also gives it a subtle sheen.

Officine Generale

The combination of two colours of yarn is popular in classic shirting patterns and is used in the weaving of Oxford shirt cloths, but what sets chambray apart is how it ages. With time the cloth will fade and create a unique patina that has character and style. Unlike denim jeans however, you are obligated to wash it after every wear.