23 March 2011

Breton chic

Thank you, Coco Chanel, once again, for making yet another item fashionable, transforming the simple striped top  into an element of laidback style. What better way to showcase its timeless quality than that beautiful photograph from 1908, the second below, (even before Coco put it on the fashion map for good in 1929), depicting the three Romanov Grand Duchesses (Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia) wearing long-sleeved little jumpers with horizontal nautical stripes, worn over pleated skirts featuring two white stripes very close to the hem? And I just couldn’t leave out that photo with Cary Grant from To Catch A Thief, wearing so nonchalantly the striped jumper and red scarf. Name one man today who could pull off this look, exuding masculinity and style… Right. A history of the nautical trend, here.

 

photos: 1-source unknown, via link / 2- link / 3-source unknown, via link / 4- link / 5- Coco Rocha for Elle UK October 2010 via link /

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13 Responses to Breton chic

  1. Gabriella {sensiblyluxe} wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 6:06 am

    How I love the nautical stripe! Jaunty and classic all at once.

  2. MIa wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 9:35 am

    Lovely pictures and lovely stripes, a real classic.

  3. Joanna wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 9:53 am

    I definitely agree that stripes are fantastic. I think the secret is that they are so simple and yet – they make a spectacular impression. Kisses!

  4. Christine wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 10:05 am

    Oh yes, I will NEVER get tired of the breton stripe top! Gorgeous photos, I love the one with the big floppy hat <3

  5. LatteLisa wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 10:54 am

    I need a nautical stripe item for the summer, haven’t had one in years. And when I look at that gorgeous image of Cary Grant I realize that I must buy one for hubby too 😉

    I remember that photo of Christy Turlington, it’s so beautiful.

  6. nookie wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 12:19 pm

    ohh that chair… I’m smitten♥

  7. jasna wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Love stripes, these pictures are fab! Have a lovely Wednesday xx

  8. LittleRus wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 2:30 pm

    That’s almost spooky funny… 🙂 I wore my striped top today for a walk with Ossy and thought how it can transform a super simple outfit into something interesting and then I came home and found your post about it. 🙂
    Love the pictures you used – I have the editorial ones here, but I had to steal the very last one – it’s too pretty not to have a copy. 🙂
    xxxx

  9. Kate @ Travelmoon wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 5:43 pm

    I love these images! I have a slight obsession with nautical stripes, and am fascinated by the origin of this classic.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂

  10. Frédérique wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 5:54 pm

    i’m a real bretonne 😉

  11. cerita dewasa wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 9:15 pm

    drawing pictures of unique, interesting

  12. Captivated by image wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 9:39 pm

    How great is it that classics just never go out of fashion or get boring. LOVE the Breton style:)

  13. Shin wrote on
    --> 23 March 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Hi Ada! Stripes are always a classic staple to have in your closet! I love the one with Audrey and Cary Grant of course! It’s hard to find a guy wearing a striped shirt these days…I mean, I’ve seen the usual dressy look that about 90 % of guys wear (dark blue striped shirt from American Eagle with jeans) which is so boring. I love the picture of a girl in a hat and the striped chair! xoxoxoo