Amy's Creative Pursuits: chambray

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Summer Denim with Ageless Style

Ageless Style is a monthly style challenge and link up for women of all ages. Each month we pick a different theme and style an outfit based on that theme. This month's theme is "Summer Denim" and was picked by Jodie.

This month's "Ageless Style" theme is "Summer Denim". When this theme was first announced my initial thought was "I don't wear denim in summer, it's too hot!". Well, I do occasionally wear denim shorts, but usually only around the house. And frankly, I've been finding those too uncomfortable to wear too and prefer lightweight cotton or linen drawstring shorts. But, what I do wear in summer is chambray: denim's look-a-like cousin. It's really not denim at all, but it sure looks like it.

So what is the difference between denim and chambray you ask? Well, denim is designed with a twill weave whereas chambray is made with a plain weave resulting in a softer fabric more suitable for shirts. Denim is more rugged and is used more for pants and jackets.

Chambray is my summer denim. I own two chambray skirts and one chambray dress. For the challenge I chose this ruffled hem chambray skirt from my closet. I paired it with a new top from "Daily Thread". It's a new-to-me store in our local mall, but I found the top on-line and linked it for you. I would never normally buy such a bright floral top like this, but the second I saw it I knew it would go perfect with my chambray skirt and to wear on my anniversary date with my hubby to a botanical garden.

It's a peasant style top with ruffled elastic sleeves which I pushed up above my elbow. The fabric is so comfortable, I loved wearing this top. I tied the bottom of the top into a knot instead of tucking it in.

Because we were touring a garden in the hot sun I wore a white sun hat and comfortable, neutral sporty sandals. I carried a hot-pink cross-body bag to match the colors in my top and also for travel convenience.

This was a beautiful garden in Madison Wisconsin that I can't wait to tell you more about in a future travel post. My favorite part of the garden was the Thailand Garden; isn't the structure pictured in the background beautiful?