When I first met the chambray button up shirt, I didn’t care for it too much, thinking that it certainly would clash with all the denim jeans I owned. Who wants to wear head to toe denim? Not I. Yet, slowly but surely, chambray found its way to my heart. Suddenly I longed to make one mine and looked forward to creating all sorts of beautiful outfits with it.

So, what exactly is chambray? Originally made in Cambrai, France, true chambray fabric looks rough and uneven. It is traditionally woven with blue threads and a white horizontal thread to give it that mottled look. However, now chambray can also refer to blue dress shirts or shirts that are denim in color.

Old Navy chambray (on sale! cuter option here) / Unisa espadrilles (similar here & here)   vintage Lord & Taylor jacket (similar) / vintage envelope clutch (similar)

I am surprised at how much I like denim on denim. The key to this outfit is to wear different shades of blue. The casual fit of the shirt felt a bit matronly on me, but nothing that a skinny belt can’t fix. To add some flair to an otherwise plain blue denim palette, I incorporated a leopard urban turban and a similar wild print in my espadrilles. I decided to pin a 1960s flower brooch on my shirt instead of my jacket to help break up the monochromatic look. Even in this balmy spring weather, a lightweight jacket is a must. I chose this peach colored vintage Lord & Taylor jacket to complement my blue-clad ensemble. And what look wouldn’t be complete without a purse to hold my essentials? This woven straw envelope clutch adds a punch of texture to my outfit.

Chic Vic in chambray. This shirt is sure to be a staple in my closet for the warm spring days ahead. Oh hey, can you say chambray all the way?