We explore how the stripey 19th-century sailor's uniform has become the ultimate symbol of comfort chic, and what it means for the Princess of Wales
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The Princess of Wales has opted to wear a classic Breton top on multiple occasions, including the recent video where she bravely shared her cancer diagnosis with the public.
The low-key, understated style is a key piece in her wardrobe that she reaches for particularly during poignant moments.
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From a moment in 2019 on a nostalgic trip to St Andrew's with Prince William, to an official photograph of Kate and her youngest child Prince Louis taken in April last year, the style for the Princess appears to be her go-to for comfort and familiarity.
View post on InstagramShe has constantly been an ongoing advocate for the timeless stripe, and we know she owns three of the same marinière tops from British label Me + Em
This classic pattern is a staple style, adored by fashion royalty and actual royalty alike. The traditionally navy and white striped clothing has become synonymous with a Parisian-chic wardrobe in all forms from t-shirts to cashmere jumpers, to wear with jeans, trousers or shorts. But for Kate, the affinity she has for a Breton top reaches beyond the surface of sartorial satisfaction.
We explored how the style, which began as the uniform of the French Navy, became The Princess of Wales’ go-to.
Where did the Breton begin?
It’s the French who we need to say to for the classic style. The Breton was periodically worn by the French Navy, who introduced this pattern as their official uniform in 1858, and the style has been worn by mariners and sea workers ever since. The original Breton had 21 stripes to commemorate the country’s number of Napoleon victories.
According to “A government decree said that all seamen had to wear a striped top, designed with a 2 cm white stripe followed by a 1 cm blue stripe and so on. In total, there are 21 white stripes and 21 indigo-blue stripes. It was stripey so that seamen would be easily identifiable in the water, in case of emergency. It was an extremely practical garment, designed to cover the lower back and not be so loose that it would get caught on anything while at work.”
Coco Chanel and the Breton
There are questions about whether Coco Chanel was the person to introduce stripes into popular fashion, or whether it was already a popular trend in France, but her famous marinière long-sleeved top was revolutionary in the world of womenswear.
In 1917 Coco launched a nautical collection inspired by sailors' uniforms. Not only did her influence help establish the style within fashion circles, the relaxed fit of the top moved away from the sartorial constraints of women’s fashion at the time, like the corset.
She famously said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury”.
Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot sported the Breton in the 40s, and Pablo Picasso was famously photographed wearing a nautical striped top in the 1950s.
Fast-forward to 2010 and Prada showcased a Breton collection at Milan Fashion Week, and Karl Lagerfeld designed a Breton-striped away kit for the French international football team the following year.
The classic pattern has never been out of style
How to wear Breton stripes like the Royals
Princess Kate is the fashionable royal mostly associated with the classic stripes as she often dons the style for various occasions. Whether paired with white boxy shorts for summer or dark skinny jeans for the cooler weather, the trick is to always pair with something muted and pared-back - elevated and understated is the royal go-to styling hack for nautical stripes.
The Duchess of Sussex is also a Breton fan. She opted for black jeans, and suede boots for the ultimate smart daytime look.
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