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Home » Outfits » Fashion A to Z: Camo and Chambray

Fashion A to Z: Camo and Chambray

Hello, and welcome! If you are new here, I started this series a few weeks ago in which I’m exploring fashion from A to Z. We are up to “C” so today we are looking at camo and chambray. And, yes – you can wear them together.

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Camo or camouflage was originally a pattern worn by the military, and later, hunters to blend in to their surroundings.

Now camouflage is a fashion trend worn more to stand out than to blend in. It first made an appearance in the ’40s, then the 60s to 70s and became trendy on the fashion scene in the 80s. It comes and goes but seems to be a big trend this fall. It’s actually been holding steady as a trend for the past two or three years. The word camouflage came from a French verb meaning “to make up for the stage.”

Camo for fashion is available in all types of garments and all colors, not just olive green. When it first came on the scene for fashion a few years ago, I shyed away. I grew up in a rural area where camo was worn for hunting and redneck attire. Even when girls wore camo, they were usually wearing men’s camo cargo pants or tees. There was nothing feminine or even fashionable about it. I first tried out the trend in a non-traditional color in a grey camo skirt.

grey camo skirtPin

Chambray shirt- Old Navy; similar skirt- Loft similar; similar

Now, I’m more accepting of the camo trend and I’ve added a camo tee to my wardrobe.

camo tee with joggersPin

Denim jacket- Old Navy; shirt- Target; joggers- Old Navy; slip on sneakers – Dr. Scholl’s via Amazon (super comfy); purse- Liz Claiborne/ JCP similar

black jeans and camo tee, date night outfitPin

Tee- Target; necklace- Maurices; jeansNordstrom; belt- Amazon; shoes- Nordstrom; purse- JCP; similar earrings- Rocksbox

The key to wearing camo fashionably is to only wear one piece at a time- a jacket, a tee, pants or a scarf. More than one piece will quickly have you looking like you are headed straight to the woods on a hunting expedition.

It’s still pretty masculine, so wear your camo with softer, more girly items. Be sure to accessorize. Also, mind proportions. If you are wearing an oversized camo sweatshirt, pair it with fitted bottoms like leggings or skinny jeans.

Chambray

We are all probably familiar with chambray, but exactly what kind of material is it? What makes it different from denim?

Chambray– a lightweight clothing fabric with colored warp and white filling yarns; usually 100% cotton. Both chambray and denim are made by weaving cotton together, one colored warp and one white yarn. However, chambray is lighter and softer than denim and woven differently. Chambray is woven with a plain weave, while denim is woven with a twill weave.Plain is single while twill is a double weave.

The lightweight weave of chambray makes it perfect for shirts and dresses.

chambray dress with neck scarfPin
chambray dress with booties fall outfitPin

When I first started blogging, chambray shirts were super popular but I could not wrap my mind around the versatility of it, especially since I can’t wear it to the office. Boy was I wrong. I gave in and purchased a chambray shirt from Old Navy and I’ve worn it numerous times and ways over the years.

chambray and joggers outfitPin

shirt- Old Navy; joggers- JCrew Factory; similar; slip on sneakers- similar

chambray shirt and pencil skirt outfitPin
fall outfit with cardigan and chambray shirt; high waist jeansPin

Cardigan- JCP; option; option shirt- Old Navy; jeans- JCrew Factory; also here shoes- similar; purse- JCP; similar; bracelet- Alison+Aubrey

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