The only top you need for laid-back French girl style, is the Breton stripe top. If you could peek into the closets of Parisian women, you’d most likely find more than one of these. The Breton stripe top (marinière – “the French sailor shirt”) made a splash when it was worn by Coco Chanel at the French Riviera, who made it famous among the French upper classes. Following Chanel’s footsteps, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier have reimagined many key elements of nautical chic attire with great success. The Breton marinière is a timeless basic piece (un basique) that looks good on everyone!
The breton stripe top is one of my favourite layering pieces and what I chose to wear for my last day in Paris. I completed this Parisian inspired look with mom jeans, leather jacket (still too cold) and my Chanel slingbacks. The bag of the day was this amazing, French style cotton-canvas tote bag, that has become the extension of my hand lately. It has a really cool print with the most iconic spots of our neighborhood, the 10th arrondissement of Paris, like the Canal Saint Martin, Bonne Nouvelle metro station and Gare de l’Est. And above the print, is written “Je suis du 10ème”. Mais oui je suis!! 🙂
What are your thoughts on Breton stripes? Do you love ’em or hate ’em? Let me know how you keep French stripes chic in the comments!
PS: If you like a breton stripe top as much as I do, take a look at this post as well, for a summery, nautical inspired look!
SHOP MY LOOK
Zara jacket (similar here on sale!)
Wildwood top (similar here)
Canvas tote (similar here, here & here)
Chanel shoes (affordable version here & here)
This style is perfect. You look awsome! I love your outfit :-*
Melanie / http://www.goldzeitblog.de
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Thanks a lot Melanie! xo
Such a beautiful and chic outfit. ?
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Thank you 🙂
This is such a classic look that is simple but always chic. I am definitely a huge fan of Breton stripes! You look amazing!
xx freshfizzle
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Thank you Tania xo
Dear Stella , I’m obsessed with this beautiful french look! I love stripped tops as much as you ? have an amazing day!?
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Thanks a lot sweetheart! Nice to “see” you here too! 🙂 Glad you feel the same way too about Breton tops xx
Oh I couldn’t wait for this post when I saw the sneak peek on Instagram today! What a beautiful post Stella! I am so happy for you that you find your place in Paris and you already look like a real Parisian girl <3 Plus I feel like you also feel like one 🙂
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
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I hope it doesn’t sound weird but I really do haha! Thank you Carmen, always glad to read your comments! Have a fabulous weekend xo
I love breton tops babe, but I find it so hard to find one in good quality and fit!
Love this casual look on you, the jeans fit you like second skin.
Have an amazing day baby girl!
Lots of love https://tbymallano.com/
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I feel you hon, I found this one just a year ago, and always have my eye for additional breton stripe pieces! As for the jeans, I am really impressed about how H&M have such a great denim collection and the fit is perfect! Lately all my jeans are from there! Check them out, I am sure you will find something 😉 Wishing you a wonderful weekend babe! xx
You look super chic!! You are a true Parisian as your style is just effortless elegant, original and fabulous! Love how you styled this casual look with your cool bikers jacket and that cotton bag. Hope you are living the life of your dreams with your hubby in Paris! Xx Susanne – http://bagatyou.com
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Aw thanks a lot my darling Susanne! We actually do 🙂 now we will be in Mykonos for a couple of months for our business and then back to Paris the soonest possible! Already miss it! Thanks for your thoughtful comment and have an amazing week!
My dear Stella,
I know I said it more than a million times but you’re such a Beauty. You look wonderful and like a true Parisienne.
I didn’t even know that it was Coco Chanel making the breton stripes popular.
Love,
Tori | https://abouttori.com
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Thank you so much my darling! Yes, there is an iconic photo of her wearing a Breton stripe top during her summer vacation 🙂 Have a great weekend love!
I love how you created such a casual and chic look and made it look so effortless.
http://www.seenaskristine.com
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Thank you Kristine! x
I absolutely love them! And I love how you’ve styled your Breton top with a leather jacket. It’s the perfect mix of feminine chic and leather edge! Hope you made it to Mykonos safely and you’re settled in.
xo, Jackie
stylemydreams.com
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Thanks a lot Jackie, I am glad you like it! <3
Breton and leather never looked better my dear Stella, beautiful !
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Aw thank you so much darling! xx
Love this French girl style outfit! Your shoes are so gorgeous!
Bella x
https://bellasfashionjournal.com
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Thank you Isabel! Yes these Chanel slingbacks are so comfy and versatile!
You are a picture of Parisian chic in this outfit. love those stripes!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
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Thanks a lot Jessica! x
Loving the Parisian vibes. You look amazing!
Marveling-Mind☀ | Instagram | Bloglovin’ ✨
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Thank you Feyi 🙂
Such a wonderful look!
Honestly I was waiting so long for this post 😀
There is nothing so classic, chic and basic as a Breton stripe top and I think everyone should own one.
Wonderful French Girl Style and thanks for the little fashion history lesson!
Have a wonderful day, Stella.
xx,
Katharina ♥
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I am so glad you like it love! Can’t wait to see you channeling your own inner Parisian when you will visit Paris soon 😀 Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xo
Your post is well timed, Stella. Having said that I have long loved Bretons, but never go round to getting some; the time has arrived. With a holiday looming on the horizon, it’s now ‘must have’ time. One’s I love have a blue stripe, plain white over the shoulders, cuffs and bottom. Anf not too thin a stripe. Stella dear. There are heavy weights and lights weights. Which would you recomend?
Love, Jo x
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My dear Jo, I think the search for the perfect striped top is never ending. My favourite proportion is like the one I am wearing here. Now I am looking for a similar oversized. Sure not too thin stripe. I have a white-blue striped shirt, the stripes are so thin that it looks like monochrome light blue from afar and on the photos, don’t like it much!
Splendid post honey, you are such an inspiration and your style a la francaise is perfect!!!
I’m in love with this splendid Chanel heels and how you assemled them with any kind of look )))
Wishing you an amazin day my dear Stella
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So glad you like it Julia! Have a great day too and thanks xo
Dear Stella, I see you have adapted well to the french style! This is so chic!
xo Yvonne
http://www.aproposh.com
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Thank you Yvonne xo
This is such a simple, but super chic look. I love the Chanel toe capped shoes, and leather jacket. Accessorized with a tote filled with flowers and bread – Perfectly Parisian 🙂
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Thanks a lot Lyndi 🙂
A breton stripe top is probably one of the first things that come to my mind when I think of French style. I love the fact that it’s so versatile and classic at the same time, it’s one of those pieces that will never be out of style. The way you styled it is so cool and casual, the shoes are the perfect French/Chanel kind of accessory for this outfit!
xx
http://www.stylebydeb.com
This is so perfect on you; anything black and white just sings on you with your colouring. You’ve styled this SO well; I love that it is classic and still totally fresh. Well done, lady! xxx
You absolutely nailed the Parisian vibe, Stella, so effortless chic! I love the breton stripes but admit that I don’t have many on my wardrobe so at the top of my wishlist 🙂 Hope you had an amazing time in Paris, dear
Saida | She talks Glam
The shoes are so beautiful – charming!