The medium blue chambray shirt is one of those classic menswear staples that never seems to go out of style.
If you could only own 2-3 casual button up shirts, a blue chambray shirt should definitely be one of them.
It's kind of like the light blue OCBD, but slightly less preppy and more rugged.
You can wear it with jeans, chinos or shorts. It looks great with dark blue, lighter blue, greys, browns and even greens.
There are so many ways to wear a chambray shirt. To give you some ideas, here are five examples from my own closet, featuring my very own creation, The Elijah:
#1: Under a Cardigan
I love a good shawl neck cardigan, especially during the colder seasons. This dark grey cardigan looks great over a medium blue chambray shirt.
cardigan (similar) | shirt | jeans | boots | glasses
You could wear any kind of boots with this outfit, but these chocolate suede Chelsea boots sure do look nice.
#2: With Shorts
Chambray is a casual fabric. It's totally appropriate to wear with shorts, especially if you roll the sleeves up for a more laid back look.
shirt | shorts (similar) | shoes | sunglasses | watch
These Vans (for J. Crew) came with brown laces, but I replaced them with black leather laces so they'd look good with my black watch.
#3: With Blue Jeans
Yes, you can wear chambray with denim. It will look okay as long as there's enough contrast between your shirt and pants.
jacket (old) | shirt | shoes | sunglasses
This is kind of a sporty, retro look. You could use almost any track jacket, varsity jacket or windbreaker, and you could wear whichever classic sneakers you prefer.
#4: Under a Sweater
A chambray button up is also great for layering. It works well with many different colored sweaters, especially neutrals like cream and oatmeal.
This outfit would also work well with brown leather boots, loafers or lace ups.
#5: With a Topcoat
This might be my favorite. It's simple, timeless and – if I may say so – really cool.
coat | shirt | jeans | boots | sunglasses
You could swap the brown suede boots for black leather, as long as you make sure they're not too formal.
Do you own one?
Do you have a blue chambray shirt in your wardrobe? If not, you should check out The Elijah, one of three shirts from The Modest Man limited edition collection.
I made this shirt specifically for shorter men. It's one of my personal favorites!
You can order one for yourself right here (ends 12/30/15).
Which of these five looks is your favorite (and why)? Leave a comment!
Jonod says
December 10, 2015 at 11:41 amI bought a chambray shirt earlier in the year and I agree that it is a very versatile shirt. You can pretty much wear it year-round. Since I already have a chambray, I decided to order the Jason (the grey shirt). It looks equally as versatile. Looking forward to its arrival when it is ready!
Brock says
December 10, 2015 at 11:46 amThat’s a great choice. I’m doing an outfit post next week featuring The Jason. Definitely an extremely versatile shirt.
Antonio says
December 10, 2015 at 2:08 pmHey Brock, for all 3 of these shirts that you’ve designed and created, will we be able to order them after the preorder time has ended? And will the shirts be able to be returned? They look great btw
Brock says
December 10, 2015 at 2:13 pmThanks! No, after Dec 30 they won’t be available. These specific shirts (with this fabric) won’t be available again.
You can return them for any reason within 14 days or when they arrive. It’s free if you’re in the U.S.
Rollo says
December 10, 2015 at 5:52 pmI’ll pass on the chambray, just tell me where you got the topcoat please.
Brock says
December 10, 2015 at 6:13 pmCheck the item links under each photo!
Pyung Kim says
December 10, 2015 at 8:29 pmLove the chambray with sweater. Adds a touch of refinement to the ‘ruggedness’ of chambray. #BondOnVacation
Brock says
December 11, 2015 at 4:31 pmRight on! I might steal that hashtag…
osteenm2 says
January 5, 2016 at 9:47 amI always loved Chambray shirts. I am turing 54 in three weeks can I still pull it off? Can I still pull off wearing casual shirts untucked? I do not want to be the “middle-age” crisis guy everywhere I go. What do you think?
Brock says
January 5, 2016 at 12:21 pmYes, you can definitely still pull the untucked look off at 54 years young!
Emmanuel M'M says
January 18, 2016 at 4:58 amSo THAT is what this shirt I have been wearing for years is. And to imagine I hated it at first. I now love it so much I had to have the collar turned up…
Pat says
March 7, 2016 at 4:35 pmMy shirt just arrived and it is fantastic. At 5’6″ and 148 lbs, the size 39 fits me perfectly, but what I’m most impressed with is the scaling of the details. The cuffs, pocket and collar are just ever-so-slightly smaller than a standard shirt, but the impact on the overall look is phenomenal. The only downside is that it makes me never want to put on any of my existing button-downs ever again.
I just tried it on with my Peter Manning chinos and it is the first time in my life I’ve worn an entire outfit that completely fits. When is the next round of MM clothes going to be ready for pre-order?