If you don’t own at least one striped T-shirt yet, well… you're seriously missing out 🤨. And no, I’m not talking about modern striped designs - I mean the classic Breton shirt, with roots tracing back to the 1800s. For me, these shirts are practically addictive 😢. My collection has grown into dozens, and honestly, there’s no stopping it.
Let’s rewind to the origins. Known in French as the marinière, the Breton shirt became the official uniform of the French Navy in 1858. The sailors of Brittany, a region in France, were the first to don these iconic stripes, which is where the name "Breton" comes from.
The Breton might’ve stayed in obscurity if not for the legendary Coco Chanel. During a trip to the French seaside, she found inspiration in sailor uniforms and debuted the Breton in her 1917 collection. That was the turning point - the striped shirt crossed over from utility to high fashion. It went on to be embraced by style icons like Pablo Picasso, James Dean, Andy Warhol, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Mick Jagger, and more.
Why stripes? It’s said that the French Navy chose them because the contrast between blue and white made it easier to spot sailors who fell overboard. Practicality aside, the bold pattern makes a statement, which is why striped shirts pair best with simple wardrobe staples.
When it comes to colors, nothing beats the classic navy-on-white Breton. Sure, there are plenty of variations, but the traditional design reigns supreme. As for versatility? The Breton shirt works with just about anything. Wear it solo, layer it under a shirt, pair it with a suit, tuck it into jeans, or style it with chinos or dress pants. Honestly, it’s one of the greatest fashion legacies Coco Chanel ever gifted us 🤩.
For authentic Breton shirts, two iconic names come to mind: Saint James and Armor Lux.
1858: The striped shirt became the official French Navy uniform in the North. The original design featured 21 navy blue stripes, symbolizing Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories.
1917: Coco Chanel revolutionized fashion by introducing the Breton shirt in her collection, pairing it with flared trousers.
Hollywood Debut: Marlon Brando rocked the Breton in the 1953 film The Wild One.
1956: Audrey Hepburn wore a Breton with white stripes on a blue base in Funny Face.
Pablo Picasso!
Andy Warhol.
Iconic Wearers: Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Jean Paul Gaultier - who even adorned his Le Male fragrance bottle with Breton stripes.
From humble beginnings as a sailor’s uniform to its place in the wardrobes of fashion legends, the Breton shirt is proof that simplicity never goes out of style.
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