There’s an outdated but very well-known piece of favor recommendation that daunts individuals from carrying horizontal stripes. We are saying disregard it. Horizontal stripes are nice, irrespective of the physique kind they’re displayed on.
It’s some of the easy and simple patterns there may be, but it attracts the attention, offers outfits a focus and is so accessible that even those that are likely to draw back from something too daring or shiny can get entangled.
The Breton prime is the preferred car for this sample, and it’s one thing each man ought to personal. From its roots within the French navy to its present wardrobe-staple standing, this humble long-sleeved shirt has cast a status as a contemporary basic. It’s a garment with character and historical past, and there are many manufacturers making wonderful variations of it.
Considering of including a Breton prime to your rotation? Hold studying to be taught extra in regards to the origins of this European mainstay in addition to a listing of the very best manufacturers to purchase one from.
What Is A Breton High?
ISTO
Also called ‘la marinière‘ (the sailor) or ‘le pull marin‘ (the sailor sweater), the Breton shirt is a long-sleeve prime in both navy or white with distinction skinny stripes within the reverse color.
The Breton prime will be traced again to Brittany within the mid 1800s. Initially made out of tightly woven wool, it was issued to all seamen within the area. It stored them heat, and in the event that they had been unlucky sufficient to fall overboard into the English Channel, the stripes would make them extra seen to look events.
Firstly of the twentieth century, the Breton shirt started to make its method off the water and into mainstream style. Chanel started promoting them as informal clothes and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than they had been being worn by movie stars and celebrities.
Over time, the Breton prime has been popularised by the likes of James Dean, Picasso and Brigette Bardot, and stays an effortlessly fashionable possibility for each women and men at present.
How To Put on A Breton High
Hold it easy
ISTO
A Breton prime is a patterned garment, and until you’re knowledgeable stylist, you must keep away from pairing it with different patterned clothes. There’s simply an excessive amount of scope for lacking the mark and winding up clashing badly.
As an alternative, hold the opposite parts of your outfit easy and restrained. Assume little to no branding, no large graphics or prints – simply easy, uncluttered block colors.
Taking this method permits the stripes to take centre stage and develop into the focus of the outfit with out having to struggle to be seen.
Tuck it
Brunello Cucinelli
Give a nod to these French sailors whose shirt you stole and get it tucked into your trousers the way in which God supposed.
Not solely will this slim you down and make your legs seem longer, it additionally enhances the distinction between prime and backside, making for a extra fascinating outfit total.
Strive a wider leg
Todd Snyder
In the event you love skinny and slim trousers then honest sufficient, hold doing you. What we’ll say is {that a} straight, relaxed or large leg will lead to a way more fashionable look and hold your wardrobe updated.
Additionally, it’s extra comfy, which is at all times a plus.
Layer up
Sunspel
A Breton prime appears to be like nice with open layers on prime of it so as to add quantity and depth to an outfit. In hotter climate, attempt layering one beneath an unbuttoned Oxford or an overshirt.
In chilly climate, throw on a cardigan, chore jacket and overcoat for the complete layered look.
The Greatest Breton High Manufacturers
Closed
- Closed Striped Longsleeve
- Closed Striped Longsleeve
Closed initially began as a denim model within the late Nineteen Seventies however has since progressed into a totally fledged style model with each males’s and girls’s strains. It now produces an entire vary of informal ready-to-wear garments, together with T-shirts and long-sleeve tops in numerous kinds.
The model’s tackle the Breton shirt options evenly spaced navy and white stripes with a ribbed navy neckband. It’s made in Turkey utilizing natural cotton to scale back environmental influence and is available in a basic common match.
Store now at Closed
ISTO
- ISTO Breton
- ISTO Breton
Sustainably minded model ISTO focuses on accountable supplies, moral manufacturing and avoiding dangerous chemical substances to make its garments. The thought is to minimise hurt to the planet whereas creating well-made garments that can final individuals a very long time.
The model’s vary consists of all the pieces from outerwear to equipment, together with Breton tops. ISTO’s spin on the design includes a basic large neck and is accessible in three color choices.
Store now at ISTO
Armor Lux
- Armor-Lux Lengthy Sleeve Mariniere Tee
- Armor Lux Slim-Match Striped Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
French model Armor Lux has been going because the Thirties. In that point, it has develop into extensively identified for its Breton tops.
Hailing from the house of the Breton, Brittany, it’s the final remaining producer of the fashion within the area, making it a well-liked alternative for discerning buyers who’re within the historical past and heritage of the items they spend their cash on.
Store now at END.
CDG Play
- Comme des Garçons Play Invader Coronary heart Striped Lengthy Sleeve Tee
- Comme Des Garçons Play Striped Lengthy-sleeve T-shirt
CDG Play is Comme des Garcons’ streetwear-leaning sub-brand that focuses on informal fundamentals like brand tees, hoodies, sweats and shirts.
It has additionally develop into fairly well-known for its tackle the basic Breton prime, that includes equally spaced distinction stripes, lengthy sleeves and the label’s iconic bug-eyed coronary heart brand to the chest.
Store now at Farfetch
Arket
- Arket Striped T-Shirt
- Arket Striped T-Shirt
H&M’s premium minimalist offshoot Arket is a superb place to go for mid-range Breton tops. The model has a variety of horizontally striped long-sleeve tops that match the factors, with respectable high quality, provide chain transparency and good relaxed suits.
Store now at Arket
Sunspel
- Sunspel Lengthy Sleeve English Stripe Tee
- Sunspel Striped Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
British model Sunspel is well-known within the menswear world for making a few of the finest fundamentals within the enterprise. They’re not low cost, however they match fantastically and numerous the stuff is made in England.
Even James Bond has worn the label’s garments, so the place higher to purchase a Breton prime from?
Sunspel’s Traditional Lengthy-Sleeve T-Shirt is a superb possibility. It’s handmade within the UK utilizing super-soft pima cotton and suits like a dream.
Store now at END.
AMI
- AMI Brand-Embroidered Striped Natural Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
- AMI Striped ADC Tee
Horizontal stripes have develop into one thing of a visible signature for Parisian label AMI. Based by Alexandre Mattiusi, the label specialises in elevated casualwear, fashionable silhouettes, stylish styling and an overarching minimalist aesthetic.
The model makes a variety of striped T-shirts – each short-sleeve and long-sleeve – typically that includes AMI’s small embroidered coronary heart brand to the chest.
Store now at MR PORTER