MOMMA NEEDS… the perfect chambray or denim shirt

I have been a long time opponent to denim on denim.  I also believe that, in fashion, “rules” are meant to be broken. I don’t buy into no white after labor day or not combing navy and black but for the longest time I could not get on board with the denim on denim look (sorry Jay Leno). Having said that, I have a confession, I now kind of love it…  On multiple magazine shoots over the last few months I have styled denim or chambray tops with denim bottoms and furthermore, I have bought (and frequently been wearing) my own Bella Dahl chambray top!!  I should note that Bella Dahl has transformed the look of denim tops – they are soft, tailored and incredibly chic!  The biggest problem with denim shirts is when the fabric is stiff and the cut is boxy so look for well tailored tops with a softer texture (chambray is brilliant in this way but a lot of denim these days has been treated in such a way that it too feels super soft).  Also, the key to wearing denim on denim is make sure the washes are different – so black or white jeans with a chambray or denim top is ideal…  even a dark denim with a light chambray works.  The difference in color tone is essential when styling the denim on denim look.  I know its been quite fashionable to have denim on denim in the same color wash, as we have seen in magazines and even on the runway, but I believe that is one of those trends best kept in the pages of Vogue and not in our own wardrobes. That said, I find the combination of a denim shirt and jeans (with the essential color tone difference) is such an incredibly relaxed yet elegant look. Once again, its simple and comfortable to wear while running after your kids during the day but easily transformed into a chic and sexy look for evening with a change of shoes (and a bit of jewelry never hurts).  So with out further ado, here are some of my favorite chambray and denim tops: