Historic Chambray

Chambray, or cambric, is a lightweight cloth, cotton plain weave. This fabric is also known as batiste in many parts of the world. This fabric is often made to appear like denim without the same heavy weight. Thus, it is a great plus size women’s summer fabric. 

Cambric (Batiste) is possibly named after Baptiste of Cambrai.  It is a closely woven, firm fabric with a slight glossy surface. Modern cambric is made from Egyptian or American cotton and sometimes flax, but also polymer fibers can be added. The term “blue collar” refers to a common workman shirt made from cotton chambray.  The fabric is woven with a white weft and colored warp, usually light indigo blue, and the shirt is assembled with white top-stitching. This shirt, along with dark indigo blue denim jeans frequently was, and sometimes still is, the uniform of prisoners and thus referred to as “prison blues”.

Plus Size Chambray

If you are in the market for plus size chambray clothing, go for a grey chambray. It makes for a perfect match with a cotton jacket on a hot city day, or with swim suit and flip-flops on a sandy beach. How about a light blue chambray skirt, with a pretty print blouse for those days at the office.

Chambray is not only an attractive fabric, but a diverse one as well. It will dress you up for a night on the town, or down for a lazy day at home.