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Best Breton Tops - 18 Striped Styles To Shop Now And Wear Forever
If you don't already own this essential staple, sort it out asap
Nothing says low-key chic quite like a Breton top. It has an everlasting appeal that we doubt it will ever shake. Some of the most stylish moments in history featured these famous stripes; cast your mind back to Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face or the many photos of Brigitte Bardot on the beach (lounging in a deckchair, on a yacht, atop a Ferrari...the list goes on).
First worn back in 1858 by the navy in Northern France, these sea-blue stripes are named after the region they were first created in: Brittany. But while the unisex staple has never lost its nautical connotations, it’s most desired for the French elegance it exudes – that nonchalance, the elusive je ne sais quoi everyone’s so desperately seeking.
The good news is, buy a Breton and you’re halfway there. This easy piece strikes the perfect balance between pulled-together and laid-back. The secret is in the styling: cigarette pants and loafers for Parisian cool, flats and boyfriend jeans for wholesome seaside vibes, a black blazer and red lips for sharper looks.
Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded 18 of the best Breton tops to buy now and wear forever.
Take the Breton trend into the winter months with Arket's striped jumper. With its wide collar and deep V-neck, this knit is a real wardrobe hero – wear it slung over everything from slip skirts to cigarette pants.
Frankie Shop's modern take on the striped staple is defined by its cropped hemline and dropped shoulder silhouette. Keep styling simple with a sleek bun and hoop earrings.
The Breton bodysuit is a real wardrobe saviour. Pair it with ribcage-high jeans and get the retro Riviera look without the need for tucking or fussy styling tricks.
Saint Laurent Button-embellished striped cotton and wool-blend sweater
Trust Saint Laurent to put a rock 'n' roll spin on the Breton, with black and white stripes. This jumper can be classic, yes, but pairing it with black denim and leather will really amp up the attitude.
A fitted Breton top lends itself to fancier looks, but we think Jigsaw's striped style would look seriously cool contrasted with looser silhouettes (think baggy cargo pants or wide-leg jeans).
For a fresh take on the Breton top look to Denimist's powder-blue striped tee. The boxy shape, crew neckline and heavy-duty jersey means this one will never date.
For those who find the Breton top too prim, COS has given it a relaxed makeover with dropped wide sleeves and a slouchy, oversized fit.
The OG of Breton tops, Saint James was first worn by sailors as uniform back in 1858. The brand's designs are still made in the same atelier near Mont Saint Michel in France.
The black and white stripes on La Redoute's top immediately brings to mind those iconic Mark Shaw images from 1953 of Audrey Hepburn on the phone in her Beverley Hills home, wearing a Breton and hoop earrings.
If for you Bretons are all about an alluring Brigitte Bardot vibe, go for off-the-shoulder necklines every time. Add a neckerchief, depending on how extra you're feeling.
If you're good on the Breton top front, we'd suggest upping your stripey game with Stories's open-collar jumper. Elevate yours for work with cigarette trousers and chunky loafers or complement the knit's boxy fit with wide-leg jeans at the weekend.
If you’re looking for everyday basics like the Breton on a budget, you can never go wrong with British favourite M&S. There are multiple iterations on the site right now, but this khaki and black number is a real winner. Wear yours with selvedge denim and ballet flats now and take it into the depths of winter with knitted vests.
The Breton doesn't have to be so understated. This long-sleeved top has punky red stripes and is appliquéd with Comme de Garcons' iconic heart emblem.
La Ligne is the king of the Breton. Choose between classic jersey tops and casual cotton knits in a rainbow of colourways, or this season's more grown-up take. The red and navy stripes and slim silhouette on this cashmere sweater make it an elegant day-to-night option.
Arket's bargain Breton T-shirts are a brand mainstay for a reason: they never date. We like the classic navy stripes, but there's a plethora of colourways to choose from.
Alex Mill drops a fresh take on the Breton every season alongside some good old classics. We like the mismatched stripes and stepped hem on this one.
Naturally, Petit Bateau is one of the best places to look for a Breton top. We like the button detailing on the shoulders and slender navy stripes on this long sleeved number.
The perfect transitional layer, this reverse-stripe Breton jumper is knitted from breathable cotton yarns and punctuated with buttons at one shoulder.
Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.
Rosie Davenport is an Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
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