They might look like denim, but the best men's chambray shirts—those lightly dyed, usually blue, heirloom-soft button-ups—are actually made of a completely different fabric. Chambray, in fact, is a fabric that has transfixed generations of menswear nerds, for good reason: It’s breathable yet substantial, soft but not floppy, rugged but pulled-together. And yet somehow, it still flies relatively under the radar. You might not even have any in your closet. I’m here to change that.
If you’re curious, chambray shirts feel like that because they're typically constructed from two different colors of thread. The ones that run vertically (the warp) are indigo-dyed, like jeans. But the ones that run horizontally (the weft) are white, which gives chambray fabric its trademark texture, and the kind of visual depth you’ll also see on a heathered sweatshirt.
And not to keep harking back to denim, but the best men's chambray shirts also share all the characteristics that have made their denim counterparts iconic: they fade beautifully, they can pass as actual workwear, they feel good on your skin, and they’re flattering on pretty much everyone. All you have to do is choose a well-made one, which is why I called in a bunch to help you do exactly that.
The Best Chambray Shirts for Men, According to GQ
Best Chambray Shirt Overall: Buck Mason Japanese Chambray Station Shirt
Despite being best known for its sturdy, well-fitting T-shirts, Buck Mason also produces a lot of great pants, jackets, and button-ups. Its Chambray Station shirt was modeled after a vintage piece belonging to the designer, which was issued to US Navy crew members in the 1960s. Trying it on, I realized immediately that it lacks all of the “character building” stiffness associated with denim—instead, the shirt is light as a feather, constructed of 5 oz. chambray fabric, and smooth to the touch. What’s more, its barely-there blue color helps make the few extra details—including the fisheye buttons and flap pockets, really stand out. It’s a shirt that goes with anything, which is great, because I never want to take it off. (And when it really gets warm, the cotton poplin edition is another smart bet.)
Best Budget Chambray Shirt: Levi’s Relaxed Fit Western Shirt
Levi’s is still, at its core, a denim brand, but the company has also been producing light blue chambray shirts since 1913. The offerings have expanded and contracted over the years—apparently chambray playsuits and rompers were once quite popular—but the company has always sold some version of a light blue button-up. It’s no surprise then that the Western-inspired chambray shirt it currently sells is confidently simple. The fit is relaxed, and bereft of distracting details. Sure, the buttons could be fancier, but when you’re working off a blueprint you’ve developed for over a century, the worst thing you could do is overthink it.
Best Upgrade Chambray Shirt: Ralph Lauren Indigo Chambray Work Shirt
If you already know this is the style for you, it's time to think about RRL. The Ralph Lauren line intended to honor the history of American work and Western wear, its chambray shirt is hand-sanded, which is how is looks so lived-in straight off-the-rack. (You were wondering about that, weren't you?) It also, generously, comes in all manner of sizes, from XXS to XXL. Oh, and just one tip for when admirers ask you where you got it: it’s “Double RL” not “R-R-L.” You’re welcome.
Best Chambray Shirt for the Office: Sid Mashburn Cotton-Chambray Western Shirt
You might not expect the Atlanta-based tailoring wizards at Sid Mashburn to produce a chambray shirt at all, but chambray fabric is actually all over the Mashburn catalog, from dress shirts intended to be worn with suits to casual short-sleeved shirts styled with printed shorts. Among all of these, however, our favorite is the brand’s spread collar chambray shirt, which goes handsomely with fine tailoring but also with chinos in the warmer seasons. Just one more reason a man could shop only with Sid throughout his life, and always be extremely satisfied.
Best Reproduced Chambray Shirt: Orslow Cotton-Chambray Shirt
Orslow was founded in 2005 by Ichiro Nakatsu. His goal, he has since said, was to replicate some of the legendary vintage American denim and workwear he’d collected over the years, for a fresh customer base to enjoy. Most of the products the company sells do indeed look stripped straight out of Life Magazine spreads of military men and factory workers—including its cotton-chambray shirt, above—but the quality is undeniably Orslow’s own. The front pocket is large, as you’d expect, but still chicly stitched. The color is also handsomely dark, giving you decades before it goes nearly-white from washing. The end result is a shirt you won’t just be able to pass down generations, but that your child is likely to steal from you as soon as they’re old enough to recognize your swag.
More Chambray Shirts We Love
Man-tle
R17S1 Mineral Wax Shirt
For something more off-beat, the folks at Man-tle took a classic chambray shirt (albeit without the usual front pockets) and coated the entire outside in wax. The result catches the light a lot differently, which will render the singular ways in which the shirt will mold to your body much more visibly.
Kapital
Embroidered Cotton-Chambray Shirt
Kapital’s most popular designs are usually its kookiest: smile socks, bandana printed shirts, patchwork shorts. But at the end of the day, the company also gets all the little stuff required to make great clothes right. Case in point, its chambray shirt has one of the company's signature motifs—skeletal architecture—embroidered on its arms. But it also has a light as air chambray wash, and lovely pockets.
3Sixteen
Utility Shirt Indigo Patchwork Chambray
3Sixteen is passionate about launching new products and clothing categories, and it success proves it’s right to do so. But given that chambray is always a bread-and-butter fabric offering for them, it's something the company also allows itself to have a lot of fun with.
How To Style A Chambray Shirt
Because it's more casual in nature, a chambray shirt can be worn with most of the outfits you're probably already rocking every day—they look as great paired with deeply dyed jeans (a masterful take on the Canadian Tuxedo) as they do with infinitely pleated Issey Miyake trousers, or over a t-shirt and some chinos. But don't sleep on the chambray shirt's ability to play in the big leagues, too: With the right collar and pocket, you can even wear a chambray shirt with a suit and tie.
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