The History of the Breton Stripe

The Breton stripe or marinière has long been THE staple of French girl style, effortlessly adding that coveted je ne sais quoi to your everyday! Let’s take a look at how the Breton stripe cemented itself into the wardrobe of the French and wannabe French alike. Earn your stripes and read on to learn how this Brittany-born striped icon became synonymous with French style around the world.

What are Breton Stripes?

The classic Breton stripe top has horizontal navy and white stripes, usually on a long-sleeved cotton top. Though over the years, the classic Breton has seen many reincarnations - appearing on just about every style of clothing. From short sleeve Breton T-shirts to jersey Breton dresses and cosy Breton knits, Bretons are one of the easiest patterns to wear!

Marina Stripe Slogan Tee, Gladys Belted Button Denim Skirt.

Breton Stripe History

We start in 1858 in France, in Brittany (Bretagne), hence the name Breton! The French Navy introduced the blue and white marinière to their official uniform, specifying that the Breton should have 21 white stripes (one for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories!), and each white stripe must be twice as wide as the 20 or 21 navy stripes and with three-quarter length sleeves that are no longer than their jacket.

Rumour has it that a helpful perk to the uniform was that the stripes made it easier to see men who had fallen overboard! Practical AND stylish from the very beginning!

From Navy Uniform to Icon…

In 1917, Coco Chanel took a visit to the seaside where she saw local fisherman wearing Breton stripe tops. Following her inspiration by the uniforms she had admired, she launched her first marinière. It was Coco Chanel that first introduced the Breton stripe to everyday fashion and it has found itself at the centre of French style ever since. In contrast to the heavily corseted and uncomfortable fashions of the Belle Époque, Chanel’s designs prioritised comfort, practicality and the ability to move - something we are all grateful for. Thanks to Coco Chanel’s wartime visits to the seaside, a marine uniform was reinvented as a wardrobe staple, liberating women’s fashion in the process!

In 1953, the Breton stripe made its Hollywood debut in The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando and in 1955, James Dean wore a Breton stripe top in Rebel Without a Cause. Audrey Hepburn wore hers with black cigarette trousers in the 1957 film, Funny Face. In the sixties, the Breton stripe formed an association with Nouvelle Vague cinema - you don’t get much more iconic than Jean Seberg in the 1960 masterpiece, À Bout de Souffle. The Breton stripe has since continued to be immortalised by style icons throughout the decades and the everlasting appeal of classic sailor style has transcended generations. Buy now, wear forever!

Lou-Lou Scallop Trim Breton Stripe Top

Joanie Breton Stripe Tops

We’ve added a Joanie twist to the classic Breton tops! Add some magic to your Breton collection with Daniels Rabbit & Hat Breton Stripe Top’s embroidered rabbit coming out of a hat patch! Or for a ‘plant-based’ Breton, shop the Alys Green Pot Plant Breton Stripe Top. The Pete Stripe Pizza Patch Tee will be sure to steal a pizza your heart or make your stripes ROAR with the Rex Stripe T-Rex Dinosaur Tee. Wear your stripes on a dress and nod to mod in our red and white stripe sixties inspired striped dress, Vartan Red Stripe Polo Dress.

Rex Stripe T-Rex Dinosaur Tee, Alys Green Pot Plant Breton Stripe Top, Vartan Red Stripe Polo Dress.

How to Style Breton Stripes 

Make like the French Navy and make Breton stripes your uniform! Pair with vintage-inspired denim like our Sarah Scallop A-Line Denim Skirt or Bleecker Indigo Stretch Denim Dungarees or style under our classic denim pinafore dress Tara Button Denim Pinafore Dress.

What are you waiting for? It’s the easiest way to look like an effortless French girl and that for me is reason enough to invest!

See our French Girl Style Edit for Breton stripe styles, plus lots more staples for classic French girl dressing!