A plain-weave cotton fabric that appears similar to denim but uses white threads in the weft and colored threads in the warp. This creates a subtle, mottled appearance that's lighter and softer than traditional denim.
Named after Cambrai, France, where this type of linen weaving originated in the 16th century. The technique migrated to cotton production in America, becoming synonymous with workwear and casual clothing.
Chambray democratized the denim look—it gave working-class Americans a way to achieve that coveted blue-and-white aesthetic without the stiffness of heavy denim. Today, it bridges the gap between casual and refined, making it a wardrobe staple from farmworkers to fashion editors.
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