September is just around the corner and it’s one of my favorite months. I truly love its light and how it gleams so warmly onto the surfaces. Yet, I catch myself feeling I’m in between seasons! Do you know what I mean? Don’t you ever get that feeling? It’s not like I have given up on summer or anything, but the holidays are over and so I find myself looking into the “in-between” section of my wardrobe for basics that bring out a coastal feel to them and yet, are perfect to wear anywhere including work. The marinière or the Breton top is the perfect key piece. Well, I bet you all have at least one of those classic tees!
The iconic stripes!
The iconic striped long sleeve tee is an old favorite of mine. It is a timeless fashion staple that will always be trendy. It was worn by seamen of the French Navy since 1858, but it’s been around for much longer (some say around 200 years). Originally, it had 21 white stripes and 20 or 21 indigo ones, one for each of Napoleon’s victories, making it easy to be spotted while at sea.
Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel among other things, reinvented this classic tee, and sold it in her store since 1913. Later, it was embraced by celebrities from the film and music industry like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, Brigitte Bardot, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, personas and ordinary people alike.
The nautical flair of the Breton top is stylish and always looks up to date. The colors and width of its stripes may vary creating new takes on a classic value. Personally, I can’t have enough of them and mixing the stripes can result in gorgeous combinations. Needless to mention that every brand has at least one version of it (from ZARA and Tommy Hilfiger to Coco Chanel).
People will stare, so make it their worth while!
Harry Winston
Therefore, I think a Breton top is just the perfect thing to wear this season. It is a great reminder of everything that’s summery yet, it’s sophisticated, smart and preppy in a casual way! If we dress it up with a blazer, loafers and jeans we’ll get a great work uniform, whose stripes will strip away the blues that come along with September and the “sterile back to business look” (that I dislike so much)! So ladies, let’s get our glam radars tuned in and dig up our wardrobes, put on our tiger stripes (or zebra ones at that), accessorize and voilà!
Rock on, xo
Love this style! Also a big fan of breton tops!