Chambray Shirt: Styling the Spring Classic

With spring finally casting us in its warm gaze, it’s time to switch your wardrobe around. The tube is starting to feel sweaty and wearing a t-shirt no longer feels like a risky move. So put away those heavy, scratchy knits and switch to layering with the versatile, soft chambray. With a rich history in American vintage workwear, this lightweight shirt is perfect for the sunnier months. Its classic style lends itself to a variety of different designs and outfits, so join us in exploring the different ways you can rock the chambray this season.

Classic Style
The classics are classics for a reason. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing the chambray as intended, in fact, we encourage it. The softness of the chambray lends itself to smarter looks that don’t look too stuffy, allowing you to look put together without doing too much. Not to mention, you can button it up and tuck it in without the fabric bulking.

We’ve paired a white Buzz Rickson’s chambray with some wide legged Merz b. chinos and a Freewheelers type II, for a smart but relaxed combination. The indigo of the jacket with the almost golden chinos acts as a casual suited frame against the soft white chambray. We’ve further added colour with the Stetson bandana and Red Wing Moc Toes, to elevate the outfit even more, showing how even a classic white chambray can be the centre of a timeless look.

The Modern Man
Layering is a great way to reinvent your look with items you already have. Clothes are like puzzle pieces, sometimes they fit together, other times they don’t, and more often than not, it ends up being the piece that you try last that fits the best. With our second look and this puzzle philosophy, we wanted to try an unexpected combination, known as tension. This term tension in styling means leaning into the contrasts that clothing can have and exploiting that intentionally for a more unique look. The already juxtaposing nature of the Lavenham gilet, with its modern fabrication but traditional design, against this classic spellbound chambray, showcases an interesting combination of fabrics, shapes, and colours. We threw a more passive but complimentary colour of olive into the mix with some Double RL jeans and a Porter bag, to add further dynamics to the outfit.

Street Cowboy
Whilst it may be tempting to strut around in your full western ensemble (and rightfully so), you can also take western elements and incorporate them into your day-to-day styling. More western leaning variations of the chambray shirt are great for adding that stylish Americana essence to an otherwise stripped back outfit. We’ve taken this gorgeous Double Rl Davey chambray and left it unbuttoned over the staple Merz b. Schwanen 1950s tee for an effortless look. ONI 222s give the bottom half a contemporary silhouette which we’ve styled with a western Shangri-la belt, continuing the western theme. We’ve kept the look modern with a graphic Stetson cap and added a playful twist with the Yuketen bolo tie, giving the outfit an air of unpredictability without compromising on style. This look truly shows how simple styling changes can transform classic pieces.

Of course, with something as versatile as the chambray shirt, there are countless ways it can be styled. This spring, try out this heritage classic in new ways, you never know, you might just find your new go-to outfit!