If you need any more confirmation that a striped top is a bona fide style classic and a summer wardrobe hero, look to thePrincess of Wales.
The Princess recently wore cream and navy stripes to stylish effect ina relaxed family photograph(complete with the family dogs, Orla and Otto) to celebrate her 15 years of marriage to Prince William.
The top – a cashmere quarter-sleeve from New York label Veronica Beard – was styled with white jeans and bare feet. Consider it all the off-duty dressing inspiration you need for the warmer months ahead.
Like mother, like daughter, Princess Charlotte opted for stripes (navy and red fromPolo Ralph Lauren) in her 11th birthday portrait earlier this month, too. Proof that a good stripe has ageless appeal.
A timeless appeal, too. It was in the early 20th century that wearing stripes became fashionable thanks toCoco Chanelwho, inspired by the uniforms worn by French sailors in Brittany, introduced the Breton top into high-fashion circles.
Since then, the appetite for stripes has only increased as they’ve become a shorthand for Gallic chic.Brigitte Bardotwore hers with capris and ballet pumps. Jean-Paul Gaultier, who himself favoured a stripe, dressed Madonna in them during her iconicBlonde Ambitiontour.
Only a few seasons ago, Toteme’s striped roll-neck became so cult that it inspired a slew of high-street lookalikes.
“Stripes have a distinctly nautical and nostalgic feel, which makes them so tempting to gravitate towards,” says Pip Durell, founder of British label With Nothing Underneath, of which the Princess of Wales is a fan.
The best striped tops to buy
To meet customer demand, Durell has upped her stripe quota for SS26 with a fifth of the collection featuring stripes including long-sleeved jersey T-shirts and cotton jumpers. The Cornwall knit (£160, With Nothing Underneath) in red and navy is a best-seller.
Why are striped tops so popular? Quite simply, they’re easy to wear. Throw your Breton on with a pair of jeans or denim shorts and you have a ready-made weekend outfit. It will look great with linen tailored trousers and loafers for the office too.
When it comes to traditional iterations you can’t beat St James. While the heritage label has veered slightly from the original Breton guidelines of 21 white stripes and 20-21 blue, its 100 per cent cotton tops exude authentic maritime chic and come in a selection of classic colourways including red, ocean blue and navy. The Galathée (£95, Saint James) is cut with an elegant three-quarter-length sleeve. Slip it on and give it your bestJane Birkin–just add a basket bag.
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For striped tops with Parisian flair, head toSézane. The Elina Mariniere in cream and navy has a boxy fit and slightly cropped length that gives the motif a cooler edge.
Elina Mariniere, £80,Sézane
On the subject of which, if your beloved striped tops are feeling more frumpy than French Girl, then think about switching to a more elevated version.
The Princess of Wales is a lesson in how to do this. Though stripes have long been one of her style signatures, she has evolved the look from simple jerseys worn with skinny jeans and white trainers (the ubiquitous mum-on-the-run uniform) to cashmere stripes in refined silhouettes from the likes of Erdem.
You don’t need a designer budget though; Wyse London’s pure cashmere Chrissie jumper comes in on-trend chocolate, while Palome’s Sorbonne (£70, Palome) has a neat, classic fit. Both can be styled à la Catherine with a pair of high-waisted tailored shorts or under your lightweight summer blazer.
Chrissie Cashmere Jumper, £225,Wyse
A slouchy cut also feels contemporary. Team Citizen of Humanity’s drop-sleeved top (£190) with a pair of cargos. Or go for coloured stripes, a look that was championed on the catwalks this season by Loewe and Versace.
How to find the right striped top for you
Layer La Ligne’s green and blue sweater (£190,Net-a-Porter) over your bermudas for blustery beach trips. Reformation’s Rowan T-shirt (£68) will give your barrel-leg jeans a summery spin.
Whatever type of stripe you opt for – be it classic or with a twist – choosing the right width will make for a more flattering fit. Anna Berkeley, stylist and founder of body-mapping app Think Shape, advises the following rule of thumb: “a fine stripe for a finer-framed person, medium for a middle frame and a thick stripe for a bolder frame”.
If you find that stripes sitting across your bust make you feel broader, than look for a top where the stripes start a little lower, such as The White Company’s linen jumper (£110).
As for the freshest way to wear stripes this summer? “Double them up,” advises Durell.
Drape a striped jumper over the shoulders of your Breton top, keeping the bottom half of your outfit print-free. Not only a chic styling tip, but also a great way to get more wear out of your striped favourites.
