The Breton stripe is the horizontal navy-and-white stripe of the marinière, the knitted sailor's shirt of Brittany in northern France. Adopted as French naval uniform in 1858 — legend says the stripes made a man overboard easier to spot — the original shirt carried 21 white and 20–21 blue stripes, one for each of Napoleon's victories. Coco Chanel put the pattern into fashion in the 1910s, and the Breton stripe has never left: it is the definitive striped top, knitted or printed with clean, even bands.
How the Breton Stripe Is Made
Authentic Breton tops are knitted in the round or in panels from dyed yarns, so the stripes are part of the fabric itself rather than a print — white jersey interrupted by bands of indigo-navy. The traditional proportions keep the white bands roughly twice the width of the navy. Boat necks, three-quarter sleeves, and a straight body complete the marinière pattern, though the name 'Breton stripe' now covers any navy-and-white horizontal stripe on tops, dresses, and accessories.
Because the stripes are yarn-dyed and knitted in, they run cleanly around the body and sleeves and must be matched at the side seams — a small quality check when buying.
How the Breton Stripe Is Worn
- The classic top — with jeans, chinos, or a navy blazer; the default smart-casual uniform.
- Dresses and skirts — stripe bands widen or narrow down the garment as a design feature.
- Children's wear — the nautical look is a perennial for kids' clothing.
- Variations — red, black, or green replacing the navy, always on white or ecru, keep the Breton name.
FAQs
- What is the difference between a Breton stripe and any striped shirt?
- Strictly, Breton means the French naval pattern: even navy stripes on white or ecru, traditionally knitted with specific proportions. In retail the term is used loosely for similar navy-and-white horizontals.
- How many stripes does a real marinière have?
- The 1858 naval specification is usually quoted as 21 white stripes and 20 or 21 blue stripes on the body, with matching counts on the sleeves.
- Do Breton stripes suit everyone?
- The pattern is considered one of the most universally wearable in fashion — the fine, regular stripe reads almost as a neutral.
Detailed Guides: see Breton Stripe in the glossary A–Z listing of the Apparel Search fashion glossary for related terms.