Striped shirts have earned their place as one of the most dependable pieces in a man's wardrobe. They're distinctive without being difficult, relaxed without looking careless and, when styled well, remarkably versatile.
The trouble is that stripes can sometimes look more complicated to wear than they actually are.
Should you wear them with jeans? Can you put a jacket over them? Are wider stripes harder to pull off? And can a Breton shirt ever look smart?
Fortunately, the answer to most of these questions is simpler than you might think.
The trick is to let the stripes do the work. Give them a few good-quality, uncomplicated pieces to keep them company and it's surprisingly difficult to go wrong.
So, whether you're already devoted to stripes or you're wondering how to wear your first Breton shirt, here's our guide.
First, know your stripes
Not all striped shirts create quite the same effect. The direction, width and spacing of the stripe can completely change the character of a shirt.
A few of the most familiar styles are worth knowing.
Horizontal stripes
Horizontal stripes can range from very fine lines to broad, bold bands.
Finer stripes tend to feel understated and are particularly easy to combine with the clothes you already own. Wider stripes make more of a statement, so they're often at their best when the rest of the outfit is kept relatively simple.
Jeans, chinos and plain trousers are all good companions.
Pinstripes
At the more refined end of the spectrum is the pinstripe.
Narrow, closely spaced lines give these shirts a smarter appearance and make them particularly useful for workwear. Worn with tailored trousers they're comfortably at home in an office; paired with dark denim or chinos they become considerably more relaxed.
Vertical stripes
Vertical stripes have a different character again.
They can feel crisp and contemporary, particularly when the stripe contrasts strongly with the background of the shirt. As with any stronger pattern, plain trousers or denim are usually the easiest partners.
And then there's the Breton stripe
This, unsurprisingly, is where we feel particularly at home.
The classic Breton is defined by horizontal stripes and has its roots in French naval clothing. What began as practical maritime clothing has long since escaped the confines of the French coast and become a wardrobe staple in its own right.
And there's a reason it has lasted.
A navy-and-white Breton manages to be recognisable without being showy. It works with denim, chinos, shorts and jackets and rarely feels tied to a particular season or trend.
In other words, it's the sort of clothing you can actually live in.
The easiest combination: stripes and jeans
If you're wondering where to begin, begin here.
A Breton or striped shirt with a good pair of jeans is one of those combinations that requires very little thought and yet almost always works.
Dark denim gives the outfit a slightly smarter feel. A lighter wash makes things more relaxed. Straight and slim cuts both work; what's more important is that the jeans fit well and don't compete with the shirt.
Add a pair of simple trainers or casual leather shoes and you're done.
No elaborate styling required.
Keep everything else simple
A striped shirt already provides the pattern in an outfit, so you don't need to add very much around it.
Plain navy, stone, khaki, grey and denim are particularly useful colours because they complement stripes without fighting for attention.
That doesn't mean everything has to be dull. It's simply a question of balance.
If the shirt has bold, wide stripes, give it quieter companions. If the stripe is finer and more subtle, you have a little more freedom elsewhere.
It's less about following a rule and more about making sure everything isn't trying to be the star of the show at once.
Layer your stripes
One of the great advantages of a Breton shirt is how well it layers.
Wear one on its own when the weather allows, then add a cardigan, overshirt or casual jacket when the temperature drops.
The stripe showing beneath an open jacket gives an otherwise simple outfit just enough interest.
And later in the year, a Breton works particularly well beneath a coat. You still get that flash of stripe at the neckline without having to build an overly complicated outfit.
It's also one of the reasons a good striped shirt can earn its keep throughout so much of the year.
Choose fabric carefully
With something as simple as a striped shirt, the fabric and construction become particularly noticeable.
Cotton is an obvious choice for everyday wear: comfortable, breathable and easy to live with.
A good-quality cotton also helps the shirt hold its shape and allows the stripes to sit properly rather than becoming distorted or bunching around the body.
It's a small detail, but one that makes the difference between a striped shirt you occasionally wear and one you find yourself reaching for constantly.
Can you wear a striped shirt to work?
Absolutely — although the kind of stripe matters.
For traditional offices, fine stripes and pinstripes are generally the easiest option. They're understated enough to work comfortably with tailored trousers, smarter shoes and a jacket.
A Breton is naturally more relaxed, but in a smart-casual workplace it can work extremely well with chinos or tailored trousers and an unstructured jacket.
As ever, knowing your own workplace matters more than following an arbitrary fashion rule.
Creative and more relaxed offices give you plenty of room to experiment. More traditional environments may call for something subtler.
When in doubt, keep the colours classic and the rest of the outfit polished.
What shoes should you wear with stripes?
This is another area where it's easy to overthink things.
For an everyday Breton-and-jeans combination, clean trainers are difficult to beat.
Casual leather shoes make the same outfit feel a little more considered, while loafers can work particularly well with chinos or tailored trousers when you want something smarter.
The important thing is that the footwear matches the rest of the outfit rather than the stripe itself.
A Breton shirt doesn't demand Breton shoes. Thankfully.
What about mixing stripes with other patterns?
You can.
But you don't have to.
Pattern mixing can work brilliantly when the scale of the patterns is different — a fine stripe with a larger check, for example — but if you're looking for an easy, dependable way to dress, we'd keep things simpler.
Let the striped shirt provide the pattern and use solid colours elsewhere.
There are mornings when getting dressed really doesn't need to become a design project.
The simplest rule for wearing stripes
After all that, perhaps the most useful advice is also the shortest:
Don't overthink them.
A good striped shirt should make getting dressed easier, not harder.
Start with the stripe, add well-fitting jeans, chinos or trousers, choose simple footwear and add a plain layer when you need one.
That's really it.
The Breton stripe has survived changing fashions, changing wardrobes and changing generations precisely because it doesn't require much fuss.
And if you find yourself wearing yours rather more often than expected?
We can't say we didn't warn you.
Explore our Breton shirts and find your stripe.
