The Breton stripe has become so established that it is actually a basic. The pattern really goes with everything. I personally like to clash it with another print, or keep it very simple but always good with jeans and ballerinas. The first to put the Breton stripe on the fashion map was Coco Chanel. (1917-) The story goes that Coco took a trip to the French Riviera and fell in love with the look of les Marins. It has been a great success to this day. Besides icons like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, Brigitte Bardot, Kate Moss, and Marilyn Monroe, the Breton stripe has also conquered the art world. Just look at pictures of artists like Picasso and Andy Warhol. And not to forget Jean Paul Gaultier, who is now considered the ambassador of the striped sweater, swearing by the mariniere not only in his own collections but also in advertisements.

I personally own the thing in countless variations. If I like something, I always want more of the same but always just a little bit different. For example, I have at least 5 gray v-neck sweaters, and by that, I mean anthracite gray because I have just as many in light gray. I have loafers in light and dark brown, black, and burgundy from brands ranging from Todd’s, J.Crew, Gucci to Prada and back. Well, some collect old teapots and others classic cars.

Did you know that:

The stripes were originally favored by French fishermen and later the top with the Breton stripe became part of the French navy outfit.

The very first design shows that the thing counted no less than 21 stripes. Each stripe symbolized a victory of Napoleon.

The Breton top often plays a leading role in films: Think of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn.

Although the stripe reappears every year in many collections, there are must-have brands among fashionable enthusiasts such as:

Petit Bateau

Saint James

Armor Lux (that’s what the real French wear)