What is chambray and why do you need it?

Summer is the ideal time to revisit your wardrobe with cool cotton and chambray pieces. You can bid goodbye to your warm winter wear and say hello to stylish shorts, tops, skirts and dresses in a classic blue that you’re familiar with! 

History of chambray

Chambray historically originates from the city of Cambrai in France, which saw a heavy production of plain-weave workwear fabrics. Chambray is said to have evolved from the cambric fabric in the middle of the 1500s. Cambric was a high-quality fabric used for everyday shirting, handkerchiefs, and items adorned with lace and embroidery. 

Chambray is also closely related to denim through the use of a white horizontal thread in the fabric weave. With time, this white thread becomes increasingly visible, offering the revered faded appearance of denim. Woven primarily in indigo, chambray continues to be popular in its original blue colour. However, you can now find the fabric in various hues, where the warp (vertical thread) and weft (horizontal thread) are two different colours. 

Why choose chambray?

Though very much like denim, chambray has more than one advantage – it’s lighter and cooler than denim and looks just as attractive. Here are other, equally important reasons why choosing chambray for the warm season is a good idea:

1. It’s breathable and made from natural fibres. 
2. Its smooth texture gives the fabric a pleasing, flowy drape. 
3. It has a unique texture that adds character to your outfit.
4. The fabric is durable, wearing well through many seasons.
5. It is easy to care for, with a simple machine wash in a delicate program
6. Chambray gets softer and more comfortable over several washes, making it a favourite wardrobe staple.
7. It has a high thread count, also contributing to its softness.

Chambray pieces for summer

When you combine the comfort of the fabric with a classy design, you get an outfit that will keep you looking great and feeling comfortable throughout the season. Chambray is chic and can be styled as shirts, shorts, jackets, jumpsuits, dresses and more, making it versatile for any casual or semi-formal event.

Shorts are undoubtedly a wise choice for summer. Whether you’re headed to the beach or out shopping, chambray shorts in a sleek design will keep you cool, yet glamorous. The Valentine shorts from JULIETTE C presents stylish yet comfortable urban wear for a relaxed chic look. You can pair this with a sleeveless shirt in the same colour and step into strappy sandals for your summertime adventures. 

If a dress makes you feel more feminine and beautiful, then the Tara dress in chambray is what you’re looking for. This chic yet comfortable cotton dress comes with a stylish tie belt to show off your curves. It’s a dress that spells confidence! If you’re looking for a longer length, the Tara maxi dress and the Gillian dress are other tasteful selections in chambray.

A reversible bomber jacket allows you to pick a solid chambray or an exclusive nature-inspired animal print, depending on your mood and outfit. This cotton jacket is just what you need for a rock chic look. The Bettina jumpsuit is equally suited for a day outdoors. This short sleeves worker-style jumpsuit exudes a casual, sexy look that is just right for the season and the occasion!

If you want to sport a semi-formal look, the Tara blouse fits the bill with its stylish V-neckline and comfortable drop sleeves. You can wear this sophisticated and graceful top over a pair of elegant pants and use jewelry to add a sparkle to your ensemble. 

While chambray is mostly considered a casual or semi-casual fabric, designers are now incorporating it into formalwear. You can pair your chambray pieces with stunning accessories and jewelry to create a summer style that will keep you cool and look your very best!

At JULIETTE C, our effortlessly chic collection of women’s clothes is elegant, conscious, flattering, and very pleasant to wear. Our stylish collection of chambray pieces offers the highest level of refinement and detail, while the fabric seamlessly upholds our signature Parisian, rock chic style. You can get in touch if you have any questions or want to discuss chambray outfits or anything fashion-related!

You can also visit our website to discover our timeless French fashion for women.