The History Of Breton Tops: From Uniform To Fashion Staple

Breton tops are a classic piece of clothing that has been popular for centuries now. You can find style-conscious people all over the world sporting their favourite Breton tops! These classic stripes are simple yet so renowned.

Breton tops can be dressed up or down and are beloved all over the world. They’re comfortable and versatile, simple yet stylish and a mainstay choice for modern people everywhere. But where did they come from? We see these storied stripes everywhere, so not many of us stop to think about where they came from. You may be surprised to learn that the history of Breton tops is long and very interesting.

The Origins Of The Breton Stripe

These distinctive stripes originated in Brittany, France, in the early 19th century. They were actually intended to be worn by fishermen as they were out on the sea. As you can imagine, fishing could be a chilly and rough job, so fishermen needed good clothing that would be warm and practical.

Breton tops were originally knitted shirts that were meant to provide extra warmth for fishermen. Their distinctive stripes didn’t start out as a fashion statement, either - they were meant to make fishermen more visible if they were ever to fall overboard. Stripes would be easier to spot out in the water when compared to solid, darker colours.

Stripes, in general, were popular for navy uniforms. People would wear these stripes from top to toe, even down to their socks! Striped tops and trousers were very common. So Breton’s history is actually linked to French Workwear

How did these utilitarian clothes go from uniforms to iconic fashion statements? This change is often credited to the well-known fashion icon Coco Chanel. After a trip to France, this influential designer was inspired by the stripes she saw. So much so that she adapted and used the stylish stripes in her 1917 nautical collection.

Many of Coco Chanel’s early designs were inspired by the clothing of sailors, so her love of the Breton stripe was no surprise. Yet, this decision helped this simple yet beautiful design transition into the classic striped tops we know and love today.

The popularity of Breton tops continued to rise. Although Coco Chanel helped to transform this look from something a standard fisherman would wear to a fashion piece, it was actually an American couple who truly turned the Breton stripe into a mainstay in modern fashion.

Gerald and Sara Murphy visited France in 1922 and soon began to live there. Gerald went to Marseille for supplies and returned with Breton tops for his friends and guests, which included trendsetters like artists and writers.

And then, history was made. The popularity of these stripes boomed, as people wanted to replicate the styles of the artists, actors and musicians they saw wearing the iconic styles. Soon fashion enthusiasts and even non-enthusiasts were creating outfits that featured these famous stripes.

Today, you can see classic Breton tops and other styles clearly influenced by the classic all over Aotearoa and worldwide. They can be found in a variety of colours, styles and even fabrics, and you can find people of all ages and tastes wearing them.

Yes, these stripes have come a long way from helping French fishermen stay warm.

How To Wear Your Favourite Breton Tops

An incredible thing about striped Breton tops is that they are perfect for nearly any occasion. Their simplicity allows them to be easily dressed up or down or matched with your other favourite pieces in your wardrobe. They are an easy and reliable, everyday essential.

Not sure where to start? Consider:

• Going Casual? Let’s kick things off with a laid-back look. Pair your Breton tops with casual jeans or workwear trousers and with your favourite footwear. So get creative and see what amazing new looks you can come up with by incorporating Breton Tops.
• Dressing Up? For a dressed-up look, you can pair your classic Breton stripes with some tailored trousers, an unstructured blazer or sac jacket and finish things off with loafers or boots. Keep the accessories minimal and classic for a smart look.
• Feeling Sporty? For an athleisure look go oversized on the Breton with some technical shorts or pants and some great sneakers. Accessories such as caps, and bags are good for this one.
• How about a classic French look? This look can be very strong but make sure it doesn't look like you are wearing a costume. Breton top underneath a Chore Jacket with some canvas or moleskin pants and some derby shoes. Iconic, quality and seriously stylish.

Stay Stylish, Stay Classic - Where You Can Get Your Own Iconic Breton Tops

You can experience the versatility and dependability of Breton stripe yourself by checking out our store at Indigo And Provisions. We have many unique and classic examples of how stylish these stripes can be!

We also have heaps of other quality garments that would go perfectly with your new Breton, from classic jeans to unique accessories.

You can reach us on (03) 925 9434 if you'd like to speak to our Indigo And Provisions team directly.

Experience a piece of fashion history by picking up one of our curated Breton tops from Indigo And Provisions.