A soft, lightweight fabric called chambray is frequently mistaken for denim. Although chambray can resemble denim in appearance, it is not the same material and has a unique weave.
Now, gentlemen, let’s learn more about the differences between denim and chambray:
CHAMBRAY CHARACTERISTICS
The warp (vertical thread) of chambray is made of colored yarn, whereas the weft (horizontal thread) is made of white yarn (horizontal thread). As a result, the texture is soft and smooth, and the appearance is slightly mottled.
Despite its plush feel and delicate texture, chambray is nevertheless available in both heavy and light shirt styles. It will be more sturdy and tough as it gets heavier, making it ideal for a frigid night in the woods. Or, for a more laid-back workplace style, choose a lighter chambray shirt.
DENIM CHARACTERISTICS
Denim is woven similarly to chambray, with colored yarn in the warp (vertical) and white in the weft (horizontal), however denim has a twill construction as opposed to chambray’s plain weave. Accordingly, the chambray fabric’s threads are woven one over the other, whereas the vertical threads in denim cross two horizontal threads before tucking under one.
When we consider how denim varies from chambray, we frequently envision really sturdy, thick denim items, such as heavy jackets from bygone eras or blue jeans. Denim is a terrific material for outdoor excursions because it tends to be a bit heavier than chambray; whether you’re pioneering in the woods or spelunking in some caverns, it’s a great outer layer of protection.
CHAMBRAY VS DENIM: THE UNDERSIDE
The underside of chambray is very comparable to the face side due to the different weaving methods used, whereas the underside of denim is typically substantially lighter than the front side of the cloth.
So what exactly is chambray? It extends beyond thin denim. Although denim and chambray can look similar to one another and are both available in light and heavyweight varieties, they are very separate textiles.