With the recent uproar of denim anything, you might have noticed the term ‘chambray’ being thrown around in the fashion world, too. I’ve seen the word attached to everything; chambray tops, chambray blazers, chambray dresses. Is this just a fancy word for denim? No. The truth is, chambray and denim are two completely different fabrics that are often interchanged due to appearance. However, get the two looks side by side in a store and the difference is clear. Chambray is a lightweight, plain woven fabric derived from cotton that is often designed in a light blue hue (see previous post: Trends for Less: Chambray Blazer). Denim is a sturdy cotton twill fabric that is naturally a beige or off-white color, but is commonly dyed with indigo. The process for making chambray includes an indigo warp, which gives it a similar look to denim. Definitions provided by Style Terms.

For those of us who aren’t textile experts, the difference is noted by a few characteristics. In the above set, I featured two identical looks with the exception of a chambray blazer versus a denim blazer. I styled the same look to depict the similarities and differences of the two fabrics.

                     Chambray                                                                  Denim

Lightweight                                                                          Heavyweight

Contains Lycra/Spandex for stretch                               Does not offer as much ‘give’

Faded colors                                                                       Rich colors

Softer feel for comfort                                                       Rougher feel for durability

Do you prefer chambray or denim? How do you style each?