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Summer Etiquette: Chambray
Trav: For the past couple of years, this iconic shirt has become a summer staple. Its slightly glossy, lightweight, comfortable fabric adds to its desirability. Chambray, also known as cambric, is a lightweight cotton cloth used as fabric for lace and needlework. Chambray first originated in Cambrai, France in 1595, hence its name.
The variety of clothing made from it is what I like most about this fabric. There are chambray shirts, shorts, pants, ties, pocket squares, and jackets all at your purchasing power.
Fit Details: Save Khaki chambray shirt & corduroy shorts / RL pocket square / Clarks Desert Boots
Save Khaki is a dope brand that I recently added to my list for good, quality basics. The top-notch photographer and man behind the blog Unabashedly Prep, F.E Castleberry, just shot a nice little Spring/Summer look-book for Save Khaki. I wrote about these vintage red desert boots about a year ago. Click here to see the fascinating story behind these gems.
You can’t think of workwear without thinking chambray. In fact, the phrase “blue-collar worker” is derived from the blue chambray shirts that most uniformed working class laborers wore. Chambray shirts were also part of the U.S. Navy uniform during the early-to-mid 1900’s.
Fit Details: Save Khaki chambray shirt / Billykirk Belt / Topman shorts S/S ’09 / Sebago Penny Loafers
This chambray shirt definitely stands as one of my go-to items this summer. It possesses the perfect tint of blue, which goes with anything from denim to khaki to these bright red shorts I’m wearing above. Given our love of attention to detail, a couple of things that caught my eye were the one shirt pocket and navy blue buttons. After a lot of searching, I came across the perfect white leather loafers to hit the pavements and beat up during the warmer months. You have to love the wood grain sole.
Save Khaki has definitely been on everyone’s radar since designer David Mullen was nominated for ‘Best New Designers in 2009′ by GQ. With clothes that pertain to fit and quality, I would highly recommend checking out their NYC stores if you’re in the tri-state area.
1. Lands’ End – Chambray Shirt
2. J.Crew – Vintage Chambray Utility Shirt
4. LL Bean – Chambray Sports Shirt
Once again great article fellas, I had to post on this one because the chambray is my favorite type of button down shirt due to its versatility; I have literally wore my chambray’s to every type of occasion. And I will definitely check out the save khakis brand.
Really outstanding fits in this article.
Yes definitely a great item. The red desert boots in the first look are quite nice! I have a chambray similar to Trav’s. Another informational post.
P.S. What really caught my eye is the red desert boots with shorts. Some people are so against it, but you’ve proven to make it work. Just worn with confidence, excellent job!
Well spoken and worn.
A great historical perspective.
Thank You Gents.
Boswell
Hey guys…I’m always inspired by your work which is transcended through your attire. Also, the colors that you both are wearing work very well together. Joshua those bracelets are sick! And Trav I’m diggin’ the red desserts, they compliment your chambray shirt.
Lastly, would it be best to incorporate a navy blue belt instead of the brown Joshua?
Awesome Post, I was starting to think you guys forgot about us, haha.
Also please view and follow the following blogs if possible:
http://www.capturethedream-john.blogspot.com
http://www.lifeofteamswag.blogspot.com
I remember the Sartorialist was featuring a lot of people wearing chambray shirts in a more professional way, and I really liked the look. I hope to add a chambray shirt to my work wardrobe. I may end up getting one from the little boy’s section to wear underneath a black tux or a navy DB blazer. Nice looks on both of you guys, the red suede desert boots are especially a nice touch.
i love the simplicity of both outfits. When denim shirts became popular I wanted one so badly.But i could never find one that was small enough for me in thrift. The closest thing i’ve found was chambray and its one of my favorite shirts i own.
Great post guys. Although I have a few denims in my wardrobe I have yet to acquire any chambrays despite being a big fan of look, especially of the large variety of colours that you can find them in (as displayed by the two of you). Keep up the good work and continue to inspire.
-Love and Respect from North of the Border
Here another good one for your list ~ Big Mac from JCPenney (online or catalog only).
http://tinyurl.com/2dq7mqz
(they run a bit large, but such a deal!)
I been following the blog for a while now and figured id drop a note and let u guys know that not only do i like what you guys are doing but as well i really appreciate the dedication that goes into it. Keep doin you Much love
Great pic’s! You guys are not afraid of color and I appreciate that as it challenges me. Chambray with white/ light shorts or jeans in the summer is what it’s all about for me.
Awesome post again guys! I suppose the shirts used to be worn with the standard jeans back in the day? Oh and I like the Sebagos, they look much better than a pair of -increasingly popular- white brogues. Keep doing what you do so well guys!
Love the fit of your shirt Josh. Btw, I’ll be in your backyard soon.
The University of Memphis has a huge Fashion Show in November, and would for you all to come style some of the models!!
Great post, great looks, and great mood in the shots. Hope we can catch up soon!
- Dave
Save Khaki
You two are quite the dapper duo!
And Josh, (that is you in the blue, right?), I must tell you, I’ve been admiring the set of bracelets you wear, the tones are immensely rich and lovely against your skin, the rings and necklaces are amazing, as well. I know far too many guys who have been misguided to think that any sort of jewelry beyond a watch, or perhaps, a ring, is overtly feminine, and I don’t think that’s the case whatsoever. In my opinion, it depends mostly on the materials used, certain materials being as masculine as, or more than, feminine. And frankly, may I just say, I’m a sucker for guys with good taste in accessories. <3
xoxo,
S-C
I know i’ve been wanting a chambray for a while now, it wasn’t one of my key items for the summer. I enjoy the culture behind the shirt which helps me appreciate it more now for its history rather than the look. Don’t get me wrong the shirt is elegant! lol Great post SE
Hanif Castle of ACL
Spend more time learning how to write properly and less time taking pictures of yourself looking forlorn and confused.
“Save Khaki is a DOPE brand that I recently added to my list for good, quality basics. The DOPE photographer and man behind the blog……”
It’s bad enough you are actually using the term dope in a sentence, but you are really going to use it twice in as many sentences?
“Given of our love of attention to detail….”
This is downright laughable, you clearly don’t have much care for attention to detail or you would at least proof read your work before you publish it. Perhaps you just don’t know proper grammar, either way it is all bad.
Take some pride in your work.
i had a feeling you guys would create a post on the chambray shirt. i was lucky enough to obtain the red chambray shirt the Gap released that has been sold out everywhere in NY. anyway, this post is highly apppreciated .
Matthew: There isn’t anything wrong with constructive criticism, but there’s no need to pepper in comments such as your first sentence. Remarks like that just project a bias against Josh & Trav, which obscure possibly valid points. Typos are unfortunate, but they do happen, even with proofreading. That doesn’t mean they’re excusable, but they still slip through the cracks, from a small blog to a large-scale print publication.
[...] Street Etiquette continues their Summer Etiquette series with the popular chambray shirt. The team goes over their favorite chambray brands and fabrics that go well with the Summer heat. Read the full post online now at Street Etiquette. [...]
@J.Carter: Hey J.Carter – I think a navy belt would’ve been a bit too much in my opinion I just wanted it to kind of flow correctly. By putting a brown belt its way more neutral than anything and distinguishes color wise the top portion of navy from the bottom which is a strong red.
@Milly: Thanks sis – give me a ring and we’ll definitely meet up.
@Clarence Simpson: Sounds interesting if anything please email these type of inquiries to streetetiquetteny@gmail.com – thanks
@Dave: No, thanks to you and definitely.
@Susanna-Cole: Yes I’m Josh the gentleman in the blue you got it correct lol – That’s interesting since with accessories I have everything but a nice timepiece which I am looking into right now. Looking into some classic timex watches dont need anything more busier than what I have on my wrist already lol
@Matthew: Thanks for dropping by the site – When you get overjoyed with excitement you have to say its dope! sometimes lol it’s the only explanation
ive been waiting for a post about chambray for a while from you guys, cuz its seemed to gain a lot of popularity especially this summer, as did the denim jacket. those are 2 items i wasnt particularly crazy about before this year, but now i see how they are such a wardrobe staple.
the first looks is pulled off very well with the red/pink shirt and red desert boots (which are BEYOND dope btw), and the dark shirt underneath gives it a very nice contrast
and the second look came out very good, all except for the bright red shorts. i love the shorts by itself but the blue chambray and the brown belt just didnt flow well for me… just MY opinion. the white penny loafer made the outfit, it was the first time ive seen them worn appropriately. also i noticed the red bracelet, perfect for this look.
keep up the good work with the blog guys!
Hi, your work always inspires me so much to be creative w/ my clothing and accessories. What really captures my eye every single time you guys post is joshua’s hair. I’ll be going back to school for my sophomore year in high school in august & I really want to change my look. Recently, I’ve noticed that “style” is not only concerning fashion and that hair is just as important as your jeans. I’ve been trying to grow my hair out for a while now, & its getting there. But once its grown to the approximate length, what in the world should i do to my hair to get it to look like Josh’s ? Do you use texturizer or is your hair naturally curly like that? Also, do you cut your own hair or did you let your barber do it? If so, what should I tell mine? I’ve actually noticed that yours looks like a close cut on the sides and then it stops for the top hair. I think I would want something a little different – like the sides would fade up to the top. Please get back to me as soon as possible and again thanks for all your creative inspiration.
@Doug: As African Americans some people are of mixed race or hair textures vary – and hair textures are never the same all across the board I kind of learned this when I had my waves hairstyle – It was easy to identify when some people had more waves than others while some had less I’ve always had a soft texture to my hair since I could ever remember. It would be almost impossible to get your hair to look just like mine unless you have the same type of hair. Never ever used harsh chemicals such as texturizers to my head and wouldn’t recommend it unless you want the problems that occur with that. I do not cut my own hair my barber does the shaving/shaping up of the sides. key things I do is keep my hair moisturized and conditioned for the most part. It’s actually a journey from when I first started growing my hair 10 months ago or w.e still in the in-between stages of things lol still want it to be a bit higher.
Good lucky with everything hope that explained enough.
You guys have so much style already but I love these outfits.
Trav with the white shorts and desert boots – so summer and Caribbean like; Joshua with the wooden beads and bright shorts. Great post and your personality comes out too, pop of the collar and peep of the wood grain soles lol
xxo
love love LOVE. Per usual.
Nice write up. I also love chambrays of all sizes & fits. BD Baggies had an awesome chambray this season in the Foundry fit. The desert boots are great, I recently dyed my Clarks a similar color (wine). However, I have a strong aversion to white crew necks being visible underneath a button up. Something about it irks me & does not look put together.
Cheers-
Zack-
Hey Joshua and Travis,
Your work again, as always, is great. I enjoy reading your posts and the images at display. I like the fact that you guys like to put in a bit of research in every post, making it unique and genuine in effort. Thus, I thought you guys will enjoy the following bit of information I had.
Actually the term “blue collared worker” was coined for the workers in India who used to prepare indigo dye cakes. The process of preparing these cakes involved them stirring large volumes of solutions of the indigo plant in a lethal solvent using their bodies. As a result the skins of these workers acquired a permanent indigo shade creating a vivid “blue collar” with any attire. Since those in dire need of money/poor were the only ones who took this job, despite its lethal nature, the term blue collar got associated to the working class labourers. And then the story goes on as the members of the East India Company who supposedly coined the term made it a permanent fixture in their dictionary.
I love men’s wear for the fact that every bit of detail in men’s clothing is strongly rooted in function and thus love knowing such stories. I hope you enjoy it. Something to say “thank you” for all your great posts so far.
Cheers
I love this outfit, I had someone wearing almost the same thing ; but yall definitely always do it better. I also love the scenary, yall do it the best!
I really like the first look. Incredibly simple, and I really feel the shirt and shoe colour combination shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. There’s a very Ralph Lauren (oops) ‘artist-off-duty-kind-of-thing’ to the look.
-Stephen http://www.stitchesfabricandsoul.com
Applause…Brave…Encore. Once again the two fo you put it together well and indeed cambray is the paterial for the season. Enjoy the looks very thoughtful on this post.
I brought two of these shirts from Gap. Appreciate the post and putting me on the Chambray shirts.
Great Blog & Inspiration! Thanks for the mention and laydown shots of Lands’ End product. I noticed you chose the old school version of Lands’ End to feature, and I am wondering if you’ve checked out our newest (and more hip) brand Lands’ End Canvas. We have a Heritage version of the Chambray @ $39.50 (and we’re even in stock with Red – for all those in NYC who cannot find), and some really great patterns + selvedge Chambray!
Love your style!
Travis just reminded me I need to wear my red chambray. Once again, great outfits and post, guys.
White shoes though?
@RoyalRJ: White leather shoes in the summer , why not is the real question lol
I love the chambray shirt so much that I got inspired and have bought 5 of them so far this Summer! GQ did an article earlier this year on chambray shirts and that was all I needed to get me going, so to speak. I ordered 3 from Land’s End in white, gray, and blue. I bought another blue one from the local Goodwill and ordered a lime green one from Old Navy. That one is a really cool color because it is so different.
I love your site and always look forward to the next post! God Bless You guys!
Thank you both for giving me inspiration for my Melbourne summer wardrobe. I now just have to add a lady twist to it.
I’ll keep my eyes peel
These look very unique
[...] guys over at Street Ettiquette, recently did a post on chambray, for a little history, check them [...]
[...] guide on the origin of the shoe and how to properly rock these. Read the full post online now at Street Etiquette. Joshua Kissi: White buckskin shoes, the epitome of summer footwear with their signature red brick [...]