Charming In Chambray

Back in the fall, I wrote about faux denim and jeggings. These trends are still in for the spring. Menswear-inspired styles such as shirt dresses are also still going strong, so it's no surprise that chambray is the next big thing. While the chambray trend has been most prevalent with shirts, it is also being spotted in pants, skirts, jackets, purses, etc. If you're wondering what chambray is, it is a cousin to denim. It's a lightweight fabric made of cotton or linen. It has a strong resemblance to denim, even though it's not. It's also lighter than denim typically is, so it's perfect to wear on a hot day in the spring/summer. Check out my little chambray finds below!

Energie Chambray Camisole, $24.00, shown in light chambray; also available in dark chambray, sizes Small-X large, kohls.com

Chambray Henley Shirt Dress, $62.00, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes XS-L, americanapparel.com

AE Crossback Vest, $29.95, available in sizes XXS-XXL, ae.com

Alison Bow in Chambray, $9.00, lulus.com

Chambray Bow Cabbie Hat, $10.50, charlotteerusse.com

Chambray Boyfriend Shirt, $22.00, available in sizes XS-XL, charlottrusse.com

Chambray Side Pocket Babydoll Dress, $24.00, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Crocheted Chambray Top, $22.00, available in sizes XS and L, charlotterusse.com

Embroidered Chambray Top, $22.00, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Printed Chambray Babydoll Dress, $28.00, available in sizes M-XL, charlotterusse.com

Rolled Sleeve Chambray Shirt, $24.00, available in sizes XS-XL, charlotterusse.com

Pleated Chambray Peep Toe Pump, $22.90, shown in ltblue; also available in skygry and black, sizes 5.5-10, gojane.com

Snake Inset Chambray Wedge, $23.70, shown in blue; also avalable in skygry, sizes 6.5-10, gojane.com

Tie-Waist Chambray Pants, $34.50, shown in navy; also available in black, sizes SM and MED, gojane.com

American Rag Skort Pleated Chambray Shorts, $19.99, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

American Rag Top Chambray Zipper Bustier, $14.99, sizes S-L, macys.com

American Rag Top Chambray Pleat Boyfriend Shirt, $24.99, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

Angie Top Chambray Lace Pleated, $24.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Angie Top Embroidered Chambray Peasant, $24.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Apple Bottoms Jumpsuit Chambray Halter Ruffle Tie, $69.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Baby Phat Romper Chambray Button Front, $39.99, available in sizes 7 and 9, macys.com

Baby Phat Romper Strapless Chambray Sweetheart, $69.00, available in sizes 3-11, macys.com

Kouture by Kimora Jumpsuit Cut Out Studded Chambray Romper, $29.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Kouture by Kimora Dress Sleeveless Rosette Chambray Beaded A Line, $29.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

One Clothing Dress Sleeveless Scoop Striped Chambray Ruffles, $29.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Rocawear Dress Southern Summer Strapless Chambray, $39.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Sequin Hearts Dress Chambray Exposed Zipper A-Line Jumper, $29.99, available in sizes M-XL, macys.com

6 Degrees Dress Sleeveless V-Neck Lace Chambray Babydoll, $24.99, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Jump Dress Chambray Cascade Ruffle, $19.99, available in sizes M and L, macys.com

Zac Posen for Target Chambray Bermuda Shorts, $27.99, available in sizes 3 and 5, target.com

Hurley Turn Table Reversible Handbag, $29.97, tillys.com

Cooperative Chambray Pintuck Tunic, $19.99, available in sizes XS-L, urbanoutfitters.com

Cooperative Chambray Trouser, $29.99, available in sizes 0-12, urbanoutfitters.com

Grey Antics by Grey Ant Piped Chambray Dolphin Short, $29.99, available in sizes 0-12, urbanoutfitters.com

Lucca Couture Trimmed Chambray Jacket, $58.00. available in sizes XS-L, urbanoutfitters.com

Urban Renewal Chambray Zipper Tunic, $29.99, available in sizes small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Banded Short, $16.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chambray Pintuck Skirt, $16.50, available in sizes 1-15, wetseal.com

Chambray Ruffle Knit Dress, $24.50, shown in blue; also available in white and black, sizes S-L, wetseal.com

Chambray Ruffle Tube Top, $19.50, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chambray Skirt With Belt, $21.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Chambray Tier Mini Skirt, $21.50, available in sizes S-XL, wetseal.com

Like fake denim, chambray should not be paired with real denim. If you want to rock chambray pants, wear them with a striped top, some slingback shoes, a bib necklace and a cuff bracelet. Wear a chambray jacket with a bandage pencil skirt, a white button-down shirt, and some pumps. Pair a chambray vest with a plaid top, some corduroy pants, and sneakers. A chambray skirt would look great with a pair of over-the-knee socks, a rock & roll graphic t-shirt, hoop earrings, and some ballet flats. Wear a chambray dress with some ripped leggings, cutout shoes, and a shrug. For the office, pair a chambray button-down shirt with a pair of black dress pants, a blazer, and some pumps. Wear a regular chambray top with a tiered skirt, some paint splattered leggings, a pair of gladiator shoes, and a ditsy print handbag. Pair chambray shorts with a braided strap top, peep-toe booties, a straw hat, a tiered necklace, and some bangles. For the beach, throw a chambray romper on over your favorite swimsuit and pair them with flip flops. Wear some chambray shoes with a 2fer tank dress, a short sleeved cardigan, a pearl necklace, and a flower headband. Let me know if you have any other suggestions on how to wear chambray.

Paint The Town

Ripped jeans and bleached denim are back and even bigger than last year. Tie-dye, dip dye, graffiti, color block, and sublimation prints are also still in style. Another denim and fun color trend that's back for the spring/summer is paint splatter. So if you have a pair of jeans that you spilled paint on and were considering throwing out, you might want to hang on to them a little longer. Likewise, you also want reconsider getting rid of any shoes, t-shirts, bags, etc. that have been ruined by paint. It is now acceptable to wear these items out in public. If all of your clothes have survived the paint war, this trend is a great excuse for a DIY project (I will go into details about this in a bit). If you're not into doing it yourself or simply can't stand the idea of ruining your own clothes, check out these items below that are already painted up for you.

Converse Paint Splatter Ox, $55,50, available in sizes 6-11, delias.com

Bailey Saratoga Wash Low-Rise Flare Jean, $49.50, available in sizes 00-19., delias.com

Kelsey Low-Rise Boot-Cut Jean, $19.99, available in sizes 7/8 and 9/10, delias.com

Morgan 15" Paint Splatter Jean Short, $39.50, available in sizes 00-15/16, delias.com

Morgan 15" Paint Splatter Jean Short, $39.50, available in sizes 00-15/16, delias.com

Reese Low-Rise Bootcut Jean - Lexington Wash, $19.99, available in sizes 00-13, delias.com

Rocket Dog Jazzin'-2 Paint Splatter Sneaker, $39.50, available in sizes 6-10, delias.com

Shane Railroad Short, $34.50, available in sizes 00-15/16, delias.com

Taylor Savannah Wash 2 1/2" Jean Short, $34.50, available in sizes 00-13/14, delias.com

Taylor 2 1/2" Paint-Splatter Jean Short, $34.50, available in sizes 00-15/16, delias.com

Painterly Tiered Skirt, $22.00, shown in bright rose; also available in black, sizes XS-XL, charlotterusse.com

Expressionist Sleeveless Top, $17.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Flirty Brushstrokes Triangle Top, $10.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Flirty Brushstrokes Bikini Bottom, $9.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Forever and A Day Tunic, $13.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Leopard Splash Knit Top, $10.24, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Paint Splash Skirt, $17.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Sponge Painted Skirt, $14.80, available in sizes Medium and Large, forever21.com

Paint Spots Sweater, $14.99, available in sizes M and L, pinkice.com

Splatter Paint Leggings, $14.99, available in sizes S and L, pinkice.com

Bright Paint Splatter Belt, $11.98, available in sizes XS-LG, hottopic.com

Piper & Blue Juniors'Front Slash Paint Splatter Tee, $11.24, available in sizes Small-Extra large, kmart.com

Piper & Blue Juniors' Weavers Crew Neck Paint Splatter Tunic, $8.79, available in sizes Small-Extra large, kmart.com

Candie's Paint Splatter Canvas Hobo, $38.00, kohls.com

Heart and Soul Paint Splatter Dress, $48.00, available in sizes small-x large, kohls.com

Mudd Paint Splatter Denim Shorts, $28.00, available in sizes 3-17, kohls.com

Self Esteem Peace Paint Splatter Print Hoodie, $11.99, available in sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

Self Esteem Plaid Paint Splatter Fleece Hoodie, $11.99, available in sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

Self Esteem Zebra Paint Splatter Fleece Hoodie, $11.99, available in sizes Medium and Large, sears.com

Southpole Low Rise Signature Skinny Jean with Splatter Paint, $24.99, available in sizes 3-15, sears.com

Vintage 1955 Paint Splatter Shred Tee, $12.99, available in sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

For those of you who want to DIY your own paint splatter items (be it a pair of jeans, shoes, a skirt, ect.), grab some paint brushes, arcylic or fabric paint (use fabric paint for clothes and arcylic paint for shoes or handbags that are not cloth), and a sponge. Lay the object onto a flat surface, dip the paint brush into the paint, and randomly stroke the brush against your item. Use the sponge to spread the paint. You may add some studs, rhinestones, sequins, or glitter in addition to the paint if you wish. If you want to rip up you denim as well as add paint splatters to it, see my tips on how to DIY your own ripped denim. If you want to bleach your denim in addition to the paint, see my tip on how to DIY your own bleached denim (I recommend bleaching your jeans and letting them dry before adding the fabric paint). I hope you have fun trying out my DIY tips. Let me know if you have any DIY projects that you would like me to post in this blog.