Our 9 Best Breton Stripe Tops & How to Style them

by Lauren Walton
girl wearing a black and white breton top

Whether your style is ‘sophisticated Parisian,’ ‘sailor chic’ or somewhere in between, the striped top is everyone’s faithful wardrobe friend. But when it comes to finding the perfect Breton stripe top, this can be quite a task. Have a read of this guide on how to put striped shirts into looks and check out our top recommendations. It’ll be sure to leave you feeling French.

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JCrew Breton Striped Top £80
J.Crew Breton Striped Top £80
Mango Black Faux Fur Stole £29.99
Mango Black Faux Fur Stole £29.99
Black flute hem pencil skirt £40 from River Island
Black flute hem pencil skirt £40
Polo Ralph Lauren Skinny Jeans £109
J.Crew Ruffle Sleeve Top £78
J.Crew Ruffle Sleeve Top £78
ASOS Straw Fedora Hat £15
ASOS Straw Fedora Hat £15
La Redoute Embellished Collar Breton T-Shirt £14.40
Embellished Collar Breton T-Shirt £14.40
H&M Black Bell Shaped Skirt £7.99
H&M Black Bell Shaped Skirt £7.99
Topshop Shazne Cateye Sunglasses £20.00
Shazne Cateye Sunglasses £20.00

Top 9 Breton stripe tops

Wearing stripes does not make you a one trick pony. Every store has their own version of this wardrobe staple meaning that no two stripe tops are the same. With variants in colour and thickness in stripe – as well as the occasional added extra, like a contrasting neckline or sleeve trim – there is something out there for everyone. Here are 10 of our favourites:

Joules Harbour Striped Top £24.95
Joules Harbour Striped Top £24.95
Glamorous Striped Red and White Tee £15.00
Glamorous Striped Red and White Tee £15.00
Crew Clothing Ultimate Breton £38.00
Crew Clothing Ultimate Breton £38.00
Vila Striped Boxy Top at ASOS £16.00
Vila Striped Boxy Top at ASOS £16.00
Crew Clothing Essential Striped Breton £19.00
Crew Clothing Essential Striped Breton £19.00
ASOS WHITE Cut Away Striped Top £32.00
ASOS WHITE Cut Away Striped Top £32.00
Boden Long Sleeved Breton Top £21.20
Boden Long Sleeved Breton Top £21.20
ASOS Reclaimed Vintage Striped Tee £25.00
ASOS Reclaimed Vintage Striped Tee £25.00
Jack Wills Breton Top
Jack Wills Breton Top £25.97

How to Style Breton Style Shirts

Winter

When it gets to the colder months of the year, it can be hard to think about styling outfits when all you want to do is wear a thousand jumpers and scarves and avoid leaving the house. But, having stripes in your wardrobe makes this feeling totally go away. Especially with how well they can complement faux fur coats (a thing we all secretly have a soft spot for). Being an item that is continually on the market towards the end of the year, this look is something that can be easily replicated. Whether you choose a colour fur or clash is with the ever-popular leopard print coat, finishing it off with a simple pair of black jeans and boots (and even a bobble hat if you’re still feeling the chill) will ensure you’re both looking great and feeling warm.

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Short Polo Neck Top at H&M £7.99
Short Polo Neck Top at H&M £7.99
Black Knit Bobble Hat at River Island £13.00
Black Knit Bobble Hat £13.00
InWear Faux Fur Leopard Print Coat £225.00
Faux Fur Leopard Print Coat £225.00

Summer

As soon as the summer months hit, we all revel in the fact that not many clothes need to be worn. And, when it comes to stripes, this works perfectly as they can do all the talking in an outfit. By keeping things simple – a pair of denim shorts and sandals – the outfit can be accessorised with straw trilby or fedora and, if you dare, you can opt for a bit of double denim with a jacket for the cooler evenings.

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Free People Denim Cutoffs £88.00
Free People Denim Cutoffs £88.00
ASOS Sandals £22.00
ASOS Sandals £22.00
ASOS Straw Fedora £15.00
ASOS Straw Fedora £15.00

Weekend casual

Stripes and jeans for the weekend are a no-brainer. But, a twist on this classic combination is a pair of dungarees. Although maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, once you try it, you will see how effortless yet cool this look is. Depending on the whether or what your plans are, you can pair them with a pair of white trainers, or even a pair of Birkenstocks, to complete this look and enjoy your weekend!

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New Look Denim Dungarees £19.00
New Look Denim Dungarees £19.00
H&M Striped Boatneck Top £9.99
H&M Striped Boatneck Top £9.99
White Adidas Trainers at JD Sports £55.00
White Adidas Trainers JD Sports £55.00

Work

For those of you with some flexibility on what you wear to work, a stripe can be the perfect combination of smart and casual. Team with a pair of smart navy trousers and a pair of burgundy brogues and you’ll be suitably dressed for whatever a day at work might bring.

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Fat Face Striped Breton Top £25.00
Fat Face Striped Breton Top £25.00
High Waist Navy Trousers at Zara £22.99
High Waist Navy Trousers at Zara £22.99
Office Burgundy Brogues £68.00
Office Burgundy Brogues £68.00

Celebs wearing Breton Stripe tops

When it comes to looking for the perfect way to style an item, celebrities undoubtedly offer unlimited amounts of outfit inspiration. And, understandably, many have been seen to rock the striped top. Check out these three looks from the likes of Fergie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Alexa Chung to get you started.

Fergie

Fergie Black Eyed Peas wearing breton striped top with blue jeans

Photo Credit: Pinterest

When it comes to any style of top, the automatic way to style it is to pair it with some jeans. With this classic French black and white striped shirt tucked into a distressed boot cut jeans and finished off with a black western belt, this look is comfortable and stylish in equal measures.

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Marks and Spencer Striped Long Sleeved Top £8.50
Marks and Spencer Striped Long Sleeved Top £8.50
Saint Laurent Belt at Net-A-Porter £210.00
Saint Laurent Belt at Net-A-Porter £210.00
J Brand Distressed Bootcut Jeans £306.00
J Brand Distressed Bootcut Jeans £306.00

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley brown suede skirt and breton striped top outfit

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest.

If the sun’s out where you are, then don’t be afraid to get your legs out and style your French boat necked striped shirt with a skirt and booties. For some sense of uniformity, you can use the shade of stripe as a base colour for your other pieces. A suede skirt and tan ankle boots appeal to both those who love a little bit of Western in their lives or those who aren’t quite sure how to get on board the 70s trend.

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Izabel London Stripe Top at Dorothy Perkins £10.00
Izabel London Stripe Top at Dorothy Perkins £10.00
Schuh Tan Boots £45.00
Schuh Tan Boots £45.00
Missguided Tan Skirt £25.00
Missguided Tan Skirt £25.00

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung Striped shirt, black jeans and blazer outfit

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest.

If you’re thinking “I want something a little more formal,” then a striped shirt can be a nice twist. But, the trick is not to go overboard. A safe bet is a pair of washed black jeans and, with the optional velvet blazer, you have everything you need for the perfectly effortless day-to-night look.

Shop The Look

H&M Striped Cotton Shirt £17.99
H&M Striped Cotton Shirt £17.99
Mango Velvet Blazer at House of Fraser £49.99
Mango Velvet Blazer at House of Fraser £49.99
ASOS Washed Black Jeans £25.00
ASOS Washed Black Jeans £25.00

How to style Breton stripe shirts

  • Stripes pretty much go with anything. The world is your lobster.
  • There are two ways to approach styling striped shirts;
  • Either keep it simple;
  • Or make the basis of out outfit full of pattern clashes and colour contrasts.
  • Don’t just stick to black and white stripes;
  • Try different colours and thicknesses.
  • Stripes aren’t just a fashion staple. They are a way of life.

Keen to get more inspiration and tips? Read more great articles about women’s fashion on Alexie.co.

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