Discover Breton
So comfortable they're addictive.
At The Breton Shirt Company, our vision has always been to create something different. We blend the rich history and strong foundations of iconic Breton striped shirts with a fresh, modern twist. Our clothing respects the heritage of Breton stripes while infusing it with vibrant colours and a contemporary flair, delivering genuine authenticity and a timeless style for the everyday wardrobe.
Every piece tells a story of enduring style and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Passion
We believe in the beauty of fashion that transcends trends, offering practical yet classic designs. The Breton Shirt Company embodies the essence of timeless utility, where heritage meets modernity, and every piece tells a story of enduring style and thoughtful craftsmanship.
People and Planet
We put our people and planet at the forefront of our business operation. We work a 'just-in-time' production line to ensure we minimise any waste fabric, and only ever sea freight our stock from our family run factory in Portugal to our warehouse in the UK. We've also proudly partnered with a local social enterprise that provides work opportunities to young adults with learning difficulties, autism and complex needs.
Commitment
Quality is at the heart of everything we do. All our garments are pre-shrunk, hand-cut to shape, and made from 100% unbleached organic cotton. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each piece meets our high standards of excellence. Our commitment to quality means that our customers have trust and confidence in the durability and comfort of every item, knowing that it has been crafted with the utmost care, passion and precision.
At The Breton Shirt Company we respect the heritage of these iconic striped shirts and our clothing represents tradition with a modern twist bringing colour and vitality mixed with genuine authenticity.
Our product DNA
We are driven by the same desire to do the right thing at every step of the way, by designing collections that are more environmentally friendly, by working with partners who share our social values, and by communicating with you in a transparent way about what we are doing and how.
Commitment
Precision
Heritage
Quality
Our Story
1988
Our family had always enjoyed our trips to France. Our fondest memories were of the long trips south in our father’s Bedford van, crossing to Calais in the amazing hi-tech hovercraft, whilst not forgetting to put the yellow headlight stickers on and ensuring our GB sticker was proudly positioned. On our return, the van was usually filled to the gunnels with interesting food, wine of course and always a striped top or two.
That’s how or story begun and in 1988 we started selling them through national newspaper adverts and in selective magazines. We were regulars in a diverse range of publications spanning Private Eye to Country Life, Viz to New Musical Express and The Guardian to The Daily Express. We are still remembered and sell to many loyal customers from these ‘halcyon’ times.
Our Story
1990's
We expanded and opened a retail shop in Cirencester as our new base whilst increasing the varieties of shirts and clothing and we first began to sell overseas in earnest. Later in the 1990's we decided to concentrate on trade sales but kept the brand alive by expanding through exhibitions and building a wholesale business.
Our Story
2009
Our initial foray into internet selling with the establishment of a first generation www.bretonshirt.com website. How exciting those times were and the chance to expand and revive old favourites from our ‘’newspaper’ days. Still as ever, inspired by travel.
Our Story
2014
We meet our amazing manufacturer from Portugal and commence creating and selling our own brand for the first time via a partnership built on shared values and ethical production processes.
Our Story
Today
Fast forward to 2025 and we now ship to all corners of the globe and have thousands of customers wearing The Breton Shirt Company clothing. We are still as enthusiastic now as we were at the start of our journey and are often asked by customers to name our favourite. The answer is easy. It’s the 10 year old faded original shirt in my bottom drawer that has seen many a summer...
Still the same quality and panache created over 30 years ago and yes still so comfortable, they’re addictive!
