The terms chambray and denim are sometimes used interchangeably and the two materials even look fairly similar, but in reality, they’re far from the same. You might be wondering what makes chambray all that different from denim and how much it really matters when styling it.
Read on to learn what makes chambray and denim different from one another, and how to style them both.
Chambray and denim generally appear so similar to one another due to their distinct coloring–a multidimensional bluish, whitish hue. Both cotton fabrics are made by weaving white yarn and dyed yarn, usually an indigo blue, together–but the difference lies in the weaving process.
Chambray is made using a plain weave, which means individual strands of yarn are woven together in a crisscross pattern. Chambray is one consistent layer of woven fabric. In addition to appearing smooth and having consistent coloring throughout the fabric, if you were to flip the fabric over on one end, the fabric and weave would look the same on either side.
Chambray is a lighter weight material, making it the ideal year-round styling piece that works especially well during the spring and summer months. Its softness to the touch and hint of sheen allows it to be used for layering pieces and even as an alternative to the traditional dress shirt.
While denim starts with the same staples–white yarn and colored yarn–the weave is different. Instead of chambray’s crisscross pattern, denim is formed by weaving the yarn into a diagonal twill pattern, which ends up looking kind of like a zigzag. If you were to flip a piece of denim over, you’d see more white yarn on the back than you do on the front.
The twill weave creates a more rugged and rough material and gives denim its more structured feel. This is why you often see denim as the material of choice for jeans and jackets. To create a comfortable denim shirt, it takes a very high thread count to get the fabric soft enough.
Chambray and denim might seem interchangeable at first, but they can serve rather different styling purposes. Due to chambray’s softness and denim’s structure, each material has certain looks it’s best suited for. You can create so many cute outfits with denim or chambray shirts. It’s all about balancing fabric weights and textures.
Chambray’s slight sheen and softness make it an easy piece to style just like any other wardrobe staple in your closet. Here are some tips for styling chambray.
Denim is a true classic. You really can’t beat a pair of jeans that fit you well and make you smile! Here are some ideas for how to dress your denim.
When it comes to creating cute outfits with jeans, chambray and denim serve outfits differently–but styled together, they create a fresh and unexpected look. When donning this version of the Canadian tuxedo, be sure to keep the colors different enough. For example, pair a light chambray shirt with a pair of dark wash jeans on the bottom.
Even though chambray and denim might seem like they’re the same, the little nuances that make them different are also what make them so much fun to style. One option isn’t better than the other. It’s really all about preference and how you add your own unique personality to your looks.