Stripes are the ultimate go-to pattern for most men. Dependable, adaptable and steeped in history, stripes have the power to elevate an outfit to another level.
For this week’s Last Word, we look at the origins of this style classic, who helped bring stripes to fame, and how you can rock the horizontals this week.
While stripes are seen as the epitome of style nowadays, their origins are in fact much more functional. In fact, the striped top actually came to being due to an act of parliament.
During the 1800s, French fisherman began to wear striped tops to make them easier to spot should they be thrown overboard off the shores of Brittany. This tactic proved very successful, and was soon adopted by the French Navy by order of the great Napoleon Bonaparte. A stripe was added for each of Napoleon’s victories in battle, and the Breton striped top was born.
Over the next century, men who spent their time away from the choppy waters of the French coast began to appreciate the true sartorial value of the Breton. Soon enough, everyone from Pablo Picasso to James Dean were spotted in stripes, leading the humble Breton to become one of the fashion success stories of the 20th century.
The style still endures to this day, with stripes still the perfect way to break up the usual block colours most of us reach for on a daily basis. From shirts, to tees, to polos, stripes work with everything.
We all love a good shirt, and it’s always worth having a striped version in your arsenal. Our long sleeve Horizontal Stripe shirt in marl stripes is just the thing in our customary Mod fit, and hits that smart casual line to perfection.
Finish off the look with a pair of skinny stretch chinos in light ash, and you’ll have nailed the ideal outfit for any occasion.
Jeans and a t-shirt is a classic look that will never go out of style, and adding stripes to the equation only adds to its timelessness. Our ‘My Generation’ tee adds an extra layer of retro cool to the Breton, with a nod to the Who’s classic single of the same name set against white pinstripes.
Team your ‘My Generation’ tee with a pair of rinsewash skinny fit jeans and you’re all set.
No summer wardrobe is complete without a good polo, and our Tipped Feeder Stripe Polo is certainly that. With its 100% cotton construction and fine two tone feeder stripe across the body, it’s lightweight yet smart enough for whatever your summer plans may bring.
All you need to complete the look is a pair of stretch slim chino shorts.
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