The fashion industry can be frustratingly cyclical sometimes. There are so many items currently in my closet that my mom “used to wear in high school.” I roll my eyes because she says this so often. And if she had only saved them, I wouldn't have felt the need to buy them. It’s hard to predict which trends will come around again and therefore even trickier to decide which items to hold onto and which to get rid of.
Then there are the items we consider to be timeless. They are closet staples that will never go out of style and can be worn at any stage in your life. Today, we’re highlighting one definitive wardrobe piece, an item that editors across the board agree everyone should have in their closet. Enter the Breton striped shirt.
Now, before this casual cotton tee became a sartorial classic, it was introduced as the uniform of the French navy in the 1850s. Coco Chanel then made it popular in the fashion industry in the 1920s, and it took off. It has been an iconic fashion item for celebrities like James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, Kate Moss, and Alexa Chung, to name a few. The now-off-duty uniform is appropriate for people of all ages and will truly never go out of style. Below, we share our favorite classic takes on the Breton striped shirt, some updated versions, and styling ideas.
