Strawberries and Chambray

So it seems that everywhere I go these days, all I hear about are chambray shirts. Even the April 2010 issue of GQ featured an article on how to wear the 'timelessly American' chambray shirt. But what exactly IS chambray?

An easy Topeka Google search and here's what I came up with: 'A plain woven fabric, typically made from cotton or synthetic fibers, that is often woven in checkered or striped patterns.'
Sounds simple enough.

And this simplicity is exactly the reason why chambray is quickly becoming a summer staple; it is an all-purpose piece. It can be dressed up or down depending on occasion. It has the simple, rugged feel of a denim shirt, yet is lightweight enough to wear on 90 degree summer days. A cool chambray shirt can also be thrown on over a cute dress or buttoned all the way up and paired with a nice skirt or pants for work or dinner. As I am currently in a Sparkle-holics Anonymous, I love the way J. Crew styled up their chambray:

Their $98 version is a little pricey, however, so you might prefer this similar one from Old Navy. You can't beat that $23 price tag!