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Affordable Men's Style

How To Wear It – The Blue Chambray Shirt

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Target Merona Ultimate Dress Shirt – $22.99

Originally Published 11/7/11

This isn’t one of those rougher looking two-pocket chambray work shirts.  What it is, is Target’s incredibly affordable and decently fitted Merona Ultimate Dress Shirt, in a darker chambray-blue.  Collar stays, one chest pocket, the usual dress shirt details.  All in that textured-looking blue on white color that’ll never be mistaken for a solid royal blue shirt.

They’re a 60/40 cotton poly blend, but don’t feel itchy like many cotton/poly shirts.  Despite the dressed up look and feel with this one, chambray is inherently casual.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear this version (or almost all other chambray shirts) both dressed up and dressed down.  Here’s three pieces of proof…
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1. With a Khaki Sportcoat:  Sportcoat by GAP, Boots by L.E.C.icon, Tie by U.O., Watch by Golana

All of this is dressed up work-wear.  A khaki or taupe sportcoat gives you a lighter colored layer up top that lets the deeper blue of the shirt stand out.  Wear work-style boots that have a dressed up feel (well shined / some contrast stitching / maybe both) and a watch with a rubber band, and you end up with a cleaned up sporting look.  It’s a collision of trap shooting and cocktail party.  Because that would be a real smart idea.

 

2. With a waistcoat:  Waistcoat by U.O., Boots by Timberland, Jeans by Levis, Belt by GAP
Try not to sing “I’ve been workin’ on the railroad”

Granted, waistcoats aren’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for something to layer under a wool vest like this one, you could do a lot worse than a crisp shirt in blue chambray.  Find denim that’s at least a shade or two darker and warm brown shoes or boots to go with it.  A white dial dress watch should help you look a little less like an extra in How the West was Won.

 

3. With a Flannel Suit:  Suit by L.L. Bean, Sweater by B.R., Shoes by A.E., Watch by Timexicon
A post-work pub happy hour is calling.

Proof that you can be in a suit but still not look stiff.  Flannel suits are about as comfortable as pajamas.  Only unlike pajamas, you don’t look ill when you go out in public while wearing a flannel suit.  That textured look to the shirt is a perfect match for the heavy flannel.  Throw a black v-neck on underneath for a poor man’s relaxed three piece.  Finish with shoes that have a more traditional toe.  Brogue boots or Allen Edmonds should work great.

Are you a believer in Chambray shirts?  How do you wear yours if you have one?  Leave it all below…

Comments

  1. I’d be worried about the Denim Dan look in the first two. Last one is smart as hell though. 

    I’m still having fun with chambray pants. People are perplexed by them. They think they aren’t jeans, but they aren’t sure. Good conversation piece if you don’t mind a room full of people talking about and staring at your pants. :/

  2. Nice stuff. I’ll have to take a look. How do you like the U.O. vest? I’m on the fence about vests with lapels.

  4. I grabbed a chambray shirt a while ago (Bonobos, on sale, stacked with Groupon/store credit and 20% off code), and find myself wearing it mainly with a camel colored v-neck sweater and jeans that are darker than the shirt.  I think it works really well, and definitely doesn’t give off any denim-on-denim feel; at least not more than any other blue buttondown would.

  5. I wouldn’t be all that worried.  Like I said up above, this shirt is a lot smoother than a standard chambray work shirt, and since chambray and denim are already a little different, you’d be wearing lots of blue, but they certainly don’t look like a jean jacket with jeans.  But yes, not for everyone.

  8. Good outfits… they could maybe use a pop of color for my taste (colored socks?). They’re all pretty neutral-on-neutral as is.

    I’m a big fan of the dressed-up workwear look. In my experience it’s the best way to look nice on a daily basis when something like a suit would look out of place.

  9. Two questions: 1) what is the watch in outfit #2? I need a brown strapped watch and it looks really sharp; 2) how low should a waistcoat come at the waist? I really like the look of a vest but I have a very long torso so I feel like all of the waistcoats I try on are very short. any guidelines?

  10. Outfit #2 – you’re 95% country-western with that look, might as well get the cowboy hat & boots & call it a day.

  12. Actually I’m in Texas and I don’t get that vibe at all. Cowboys don’t wear waistcoats here.

    IMO, part of style is taking influences from other cultural style and incorporating them into your look. IE, taking a plaid flannel shirt (lumberjack) and pairing it with a camel sport coat.

  14. I like it.  It’s got a decent fit through the middle and there’s no adjustment strap on the back.  Fabric is the same on the back as on the front as well.  Wasn’t sure about the lapels at first, but, they blend well on this one.

  16. Yup, I grew up in Montana and none of the ranchers or farmers I know would ever dress that well – it’s all baggy Carhartts and and oversized flannel shirts where I come from. The only people in MT who wear cowboy boots and hats, much less tweed waistcoats and the like, are politicians or tourists.

  17. Speaking of chambray shirts… I’ve been looking for the perfect chambray workshirt.  (Tosses in vote for an article series searching for the perfect chambray shirt)

  19. J. Crew Factory stores have really nice ones in gray, blue and red right now for about $35. Believe it or not, the red looks great!

  23. On the topic of shirts, are there any athletic/slim fit dress shirts w/o breast pockets of for under $40/$50?  Or am I stuck with the Express 1MX?

  24. When I was traveling this week I stopped into Target to look at this shirt.  Pretty nice for the price, but I have others that are similar in the closet.  Its a dress up type chambray for sure.  Some tailoring and it would be a nice option.

  25. Wouldn’t the chambray shirt go just fine with khaki colored chinos or even white chinos?

  26. Joe, thanks for these suggestions- I find them very useful. 
    Does anyone have an idea where one might find an alternative to the Urban Outfitters waistcoat? U.O. are sold out.

  28.  Alternative Apparel used to make some nice and affordable waistcoats; might want to check them out.

  29.  Yup, I wear blue chambray shirts with dark blue denim all the time and it never looks like a Canadian Tuxedo (I’m of 100% French Canadian heritage, so I get to say that!).  The colors and textures are completely different, and with a brown belt and jacket, it doesn’t look monochromatic at all (monochromatic outfits don’t personally bother me in the least, but I know they’re worse than the ebola virus to the “yacht club” types).

  30. Wow, that’s actually a great looking shirt. They’re all down to X-Larges on the site now, though. Rats.

  32. Denim Dan is my best friend. And he’s got a smoking girlfriend. As long as the denim is dark and not matchy-matchy, it can still look badass. Ask Ryan Gosling’s character in DRIVE. These looks are all sick, with or without the outer(most) wear.

  35.  Not boring. Simple. Simple is always better than over-done when it comes to clothing. It’s all in how you add your own personal touch.

  36. Not feeling the vest with jeans in #2. A vest worn casually just seems too costumey to me. Kind of like a fedora. A lot of guys would wear it and look fine. But, I would personally wear a vest only as part of a suit or with some wool trousers and a blazer/sportcoat. Otherwise, the outfits are nicely done.

  37. I own that exact shirt from target, and I love it. It goes with alot of different outfits, and I seem to wear it a few times a month on average.

  38. After reading this, I stopped at Target today to check out the selection and was stunned by the fit of these Merona dress shirts. I’m sort of a tweener (xl in the boutique euro lines, large in more american fits) and the large fit very nicely, perfectly tailored fit.  They didn’t have the darker blue chambray in my size but I did pick up a lighter blue and a blue/white gingham dress shirt that I fits beautifully.  Throw in the navy cotton blazer for $39.99 and it was a major score.  Bravo, Target!