What is chambray fabric? Chambray shirt from Canadian Unbranded Brand

Fabric with French nameCHAMBRAY.
In this short review we will talk about a very interesting fabric, which, along with classic denim, has gone down in the history of denim and vintage workwear.

This is a fabric called chambray. Or chambray in Latin.
The name, like the name of denim itself, has French roots. The name of the fabric comes from the name of the Cambrai region in the northeast of present-day France, which previously belonged to Flanders. Flanders during the 15th and 16th centuries was a highly developed region with advanced textile traditions for its time. And these times are deservedly considered the times of the Northern Renaissance.

Rogier Van Der Weyden, Van Eyck, and other classics of Flemish painting cannot be thrown out of the song. On their canvases the richness of fabric textures is presented in all its glory. And it was in Flanders in the 1500s that cambric fabric, or cambric, to use terms familiar to us, was invented. At first, the fabric was used to sew clothes for representatives of the wealthy classes, mainly for sewing shirts and creating various decorative elements in clothes.

The photo above is a fragment of one of Van Eyck’s famous paintings. The item of clothing in a blue shade may well be made from chambray fabric.
Over time, the fabric gained wide recognition and began to be used internationally. In the States, the fabric took root at the beginning of the 19th century and was recommended in a special official document (1831 US Farmer’s Bulletin) for sewing working farm clothes as comfortable, light, practical and protecting against sunburn. Well, what gave due spark to the spread of this fabric was the fact that chambray fabric began to be used in the early 1900s for sewing clothes for US sailors.

And we have already mentioned many times that naval uniforms made of denim are a special layer in the history of work clothes and in the history of denim. There is even the term NAVY-ism, i.e. commitment to fashion and style of vintage nautical clothing.

As a result, already in the 20th century, a chambray shirt became an integral element of the model ranges of all major denim clothing manufacturers.
What is characteristic of this fabric?

The photo above clearly shows that chambray is very simple in structure: light-colored threads are intertwined with threads of a darker, usually blue color. This is the so-called 1X1 weaving. The thickness of the threads can ultimately achieve different densities of the fabric. Typically, chambray fabrics are 7-10 oz. very light. And very suitable for sewing shirts.

In our archive there are several chambray shirts dating from different periods: from the 1940s to the 2000s. In the photo below from left to right: 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 2000s in shirt collar elements.

The most valuable of them is a shirt from an unknown manufacturer, dating back to the 1940s. We purchased it specifically for comparison with chambray fabrics of later periods (1960-1970s). Initially, the shirt was in poor condition.

Patchwork with BORO elements and we have brought it to a satisfactory condition. It’s quite possible to become a hippie in it. They may, however, be mistaken for a representative of the very poor because of the abundance of patches.

The chambray of this shirt is quite thick, about 9 ounces. Color – with shades of gray. The texture is quite smooth, without obvious slubby elements. A typical carpenter/farmer worker.
The next most recent example is an artifact from LS&Co from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

This is a very unusual, very thick (approx. 10 ounces) chambray version. And a very rare specimen. Orange tab Big E is a very rare combination. Chambray is very slubby, with a lot of unevenness and “defects” in the weave of the fabric. A very “tasty”, almost hand-made version on Levi’s jacket buttons. It seems that Vysotsky starred in this or a very similar shirt in the 1970s.

The next example is from the 1970s: a Wrangler shirt in a canonical cut and with pearl buttons (buttons made of plastic “pearl-like”).

This is the simplest chambray texture option, but in a darker, blue tint. But this is also the most canonical option. None of those who are now recognized as icons of denim style have worn shirts of this cut. First of all, of course, Harrison of the Abbey Road period.

Well, many other famous people were fans of just such a Wrangler shirt of exactly the same style as in our archive: Dolly Parton, Mick Jagger.

We also have “1973” in our lineup.

Chambray has a pleasant bluish tint. Density - no more than 8 ounces. A very light option, comfortable for hot weather. There are a lot of “tasty” and skillfully executed decorative elements: stitches with red thread, white cotton fabric linings on the inner parts of the sleeve cuffs and collar, deliberate unevenness in the stitching and asymmetry of the chest pockets.

In conclusion, we recommend that denim lovers find a worthy vintage or modern version of a chambray shirt for their collection. This is a good addition to decent and correct jeans.
In our note we, incl. used materials from an article posted on Rawrdenim.com.

The French are great entertainers when it comes to looking elegant and exemplary without breaking the sweat of effort. The embodiment of this approach was chambray fabric - a lightweight analogue of denim. It was invented back in the 16th century and was first spun from flax, and then switched to cotton.

The fabric's worldwide popularity stems from its use as uniforms and casual wear for blue-collar workers. Therefore, the appearance of chambray does not strike the imagination - it is a strong working material of casual style, with slightly faded colors.

This is due to the fact that the fabric does not grip paint well, so it is rational to focus on natural and discreet tones: shades of blue, purple, gray, brown, pastel.

A certain external resemblance to denim is given to the material by the weaving method:

• base - dense, colored thread;
• ducks are looser and whiter.

An additional kinship with jeans is created by quilting the seams and edges with a contrasting thread. The result is a fabric that is uniform on all sides: without dividing into the front and back parts.

What is chambray made from?

This material is a real paradise for the textile industry, the variety in its use is pleasantly surprising:

• men's and women's shirts are probably the most common use for chambray;
• skirts, dresses, sundresses, shorts, pants and overalls;
• baby clothes;
• bed sheets;
• used in accessories (bags, jewelry, etc.), as well as appliqués;
• sew covers, drapery and other decorative elements.

Chambray clothing is light and democratic: casual or business, as well as smart casual. It goes well with different elements of the wardrobe, but it should be combined with denim with caution.

Fabric properties as reasons for popularity

Let's return to the fact that chambray is a fabric for workers, which means it has great functionality:

• high wear resistance;
• hygroscopicity and breathability;
• dense, but not “hot” structure;
• does not irritate the skin, does not electrify;
• almost does not wrinkle;
• does not get dirty;
• washes easily at 40° and is not afraid of a centrifuge.

In general, it is a wonderful fabric for everyday wear, but it also has certain disadvantages:

• does not stretch;
• shrinks after washing;
• dries slowly;
• wears out and fades.

Chambray reviews

Buyers characterize the material positively, noting its simplicity and appropriateness in any environment as a plus.

In addition, the fabric’s low maintenance requirements and a wide range of clothes made from it are highly appreciated.

Photo gallery

When the temperature outside rises above 30 degrees, we begin to frantically search our closet for clothes that won't make us feel like ice cream melting in a waffle cone. And it is for such an occasion that clothes made from chambray fabric are ideal. Outwardly, it resembles faded denim, but in fact it is less dense and more pleasant to the touch. However, along with its lightness, cotton chambray fabric has excellent wear resistance, which is why it was previously used to sew uniforms for American workers. If, after the advantages I described, you still realized that clothes made from this material simply must be in your wardrobe, then you will also be interested in learning about popular ways to wear them. So, let's begin.

Shirt

A classic blue shirt is the epitome of chambray clothing! It looks moderately strict, so it can be used both in casual and office style. What can this product be worn with? I bring to your attention several winning options:

A. With shorts. A delicate blue shirt will look stylish with bright shorts made of thin fabric. Due to the contrast of colors and textures, the outfit will become even more interesting and original.

If you have trendy denim shorts, you can try pairing a shirt with them. Be sure to use a contrasting belt, which will prevent your outfit from turning into one big blue spot. Otherwise, the shade of the shirt and shorts should be different.

b. With a skirt. The combination of a bright midi skirt with a light blue shirt looks very feminine and romantic. The look can be completed with an elegant clutch, large sunglasses and stilettos.

Modern fashionistas love to combine a chambray shirt with leather skirts. Despite the different textures (smooth leather and matte fabric) and colors, the outfit looks quite organic and does not “hurt” the eyes. In addition, the leather theme can be easily played up in accessories (leather bag, sandals, bracelets).

V. With a top. Wear the shirt over a plain top or T-shirt and your fashionable casual look is complete!

d. With pants or leggings. Don't know what to wear for an evening walk? Feel free to wear your favorite jeans and chambray shirt. You can tuck it in and highlight your waist with a wide belt, or wear it untucked.

Jeans can be safely replaced with black leggings, as fashion bloggers do. It turns out quite bold and unusual.

Overalls

Chambray makes great jumpsuits. Despite their similarity to denim, they are lighter and therefore protect well from the heat. In addition, they can be combined with various interesting accessories. So, a light blue jumpsuit with shorts can be worn with stylish shoes and a clutch, and a playful pin-up jumpsuit will go perfectly with bright sunglasses and comfortable ballet shoes.

If you need to choose something sophisticated and sexy, you can wear a trouser jumpsuit with a deep cut at the back.

You will get a romantic look if you combine a jumpsuit with a crop top that is trendy this year.

Dress

A short oversized dress...what could be better in the summer heat? Wear it with comfortable slip-ons and a tote bag.

You can also choose a romantic flared model with a belt or sewn-in elastic band. It is best worn with sandals or sandals.

[:RU]If you have something to choose from in your wardrobe this spring, then this is of course just perfect. But today we wanted to advise beautiful women one of the things that should definitely be in every woman’s wardrobe - a chambray shirt.

The Chabret shirt isn't really a new trend, but it is often confused with denim, even though they are made from different fabrics. Chambray is a plain fabric that has a weave of colored yarn and white yarn at the base. Like chambray, denim is made from a colored warp yarn but is woven in a twill style. In the shabre, fabrics of different colors will alternate with each other. Typically, you will notice a lighter color on the back side of denim, while the back side of chambray fabric is much more similar to the front side.

Now that you know the difference between chambray and denim, let's get back to the chambray shirt. A chambray shirt feels so much softer compared to denim and is actually a great fabric for a spring shirt. That's why chambray is definitely a must-have in every woman's closet.

Wear open chambray shirts over any dress.

In spring you always want to look especially elegant and romantic, and only dresses can help girls with this. The Itaka online store offers women's dresses wholesale, which can also be ordered at retail.

Chabret shirts are so cute and so versatile. Besides the fact that they can be worn at any time of the year, there are also different ways in which you can wear them this spring.

To create an outfit like this, all you need to do is make sure your chambray shirt and your jeans are two very different colors. It's simple and great to have such a democratic outfit for every day.

A chambray shirt tucked into a pencil skirt and paired with heels or sandals creates an informal yet professional outfit that you can wear to the office without worrying that it's too casual for work.

Try wearing pants with a chambray shirt and see how the colors and prints on your pants can instantly make your look more interesting and a lot more cheerful.

Remains white - this makes the fabric look like denim. The similarity with denim is enhanced by the color - chambray is often dyed the same violet-blue indigo.

Kinds

A thin linen fabric similar to was invented in the sixteenth century in France. At first it was woven from flax, and later switched to cotton.

Nowadays both 100% cotton chambray and with various synthetic and natural additives are produced. The latter are usually flax or hemp. Linen gives the fabric a matte shine and antibacterial properties. Hemp fiber is characterized by mechanical strength and resistance to decay. It makes the fabric cheaper because hemp fiber is cheaper to produce.

Synthetic threads (polyester, polyamide, acrylic) make cotton fabric wrinkle-resistant.

Advantages and disadvantages

The fabric is a durable working material in a casual style. Shirts and blouses are most often made from durable, thin and light fabric. It is suitable for sewing tunics, corsets, sundresses, summer trousers, shorts, skirts, bags, even swimsuits and underwear. The fabric is practical and hypoallergenic, so it is often used to make children's clothing.

Cotton doesn't dye well, so chambray always has a slightly faded coloring. The material has a natural and discreet color: blue, purple, gray, brown, white, pastel shades. The edges of the product are often quilted with a contrasting thread, which makes them even more similar to denim.

Chambray was originally used as a workwear fabric, so it makes sense that it is highly functional.

Advantages of the material:

• high wear resistance;
• breathability;
• hygroscopicity;
• hypoallergenic;
• antistatic.

Disadvantages of fabric:

• inelastic;
• shrinks after getting wet;
• takes a long time to dry;
• fades in the sun and from washing.

Chambray clothing is light, loose, and pleasant to the touch. It can be worn in the warm season, used for business meetings and free time.

Council of stylists

It is not recommended to combine denim and chambray of the same shades in one ensemble. It is better to wear a thin linen shirt to work not with jeans, but with light trousers.
The most important thing when choosing cotton fabric is to determine whether it wrinkles a lot. Hold the material in your palm and hold it for a while until it warms up slightly. Then see how much the material has wrinkled. For casual clothes, slight wrinkles are not a problem. If you are going to sew a product for which a wrinkled look is unacceptable, then it is better to choose chambray with the addition of synthetics, such as polyester.

Care (washing)

Chambray is easy to care for. The fabric is easy to iron, withstands machine and hand washing, and is not afraid of spinning in a centrifuge. To prevent the fabric from fading, the water temperature when washing should be no more than 40 degrees. Like any cotton fabric, chambray shrinks noticeably after washing, so choose a larger size for finished products.

Product care rules:

• do not dry clean;
• after washing, stretch it a little with your hands;
• do not use bleaches;
• wash separately from other laundry.

Why is chambray better than denim?

Due to the density and stiffness of jeans, it is not always comfortable to wear, as it can rub the skin. In contrast, chambray is a soft and lightweight material that is not capable of injuring even the delicate skin of children. Chambray is so soft and thin that you can even sew underwear from it.

An additional advantage of shirts made of thin cotton is that, unlike denim ones, they look appropriate on office workers.