What is a Breton stripe top?
The Breton stripe shirt was first introduced in 1858 as the uniform for all French navy seaman in Northern France. The original design featured 21 stripes, one for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories and the distinctive stripes made it easier to spot wayward sailors who had fallen overboard.
How many stripes does a Breton top have?
The Breton first came into existence in 1858 when the French navy were given the stripe tops as part of their uniform. The idea behind the design was that the stripes would make any sailor that fell overboard much easier to spot. Each of these tops had 21 stripes, one for every victory by Napoleon Bonaparte.
What Colour is a Breton top?
The Breton stripe finds its roots with the French sailormen. The shirt contains 21 blue and 21 white stripes. Each stripe represents one of Napoleon’s victories.
How do you wear Breton stripes?
Team it with a skirt in a contrasting print, or a strong colour, rather than jeans or shorts. Or use it as a layering piece, so that only a slice is visible: a Breton stripe sleeve worn under a short sleeve or sleeveless knit always looks chic.
Why is it called a Breton top?
Breton stripes hail from Brittany (or Bretagne) in Northern France, which explains their name. Thick cotton shirts with these stripes became part of the uniform for seamen in 1858, because they were decreed easy to spot in a sea emergency and because the fabric was so hard-wearing.
Why are Breton shirts striped?
The first iteration of Breton (“from Brittany”) sweaters were designed with tightly knit local wool to protect fishermen from biting winds and water. This “second skin” eventually evolved into a striped shirt, with sailors sporting the look since the start of the 19th century.
Why are nautical clothes striped?
Sailors used to say that the stripes made it easier to see men who had fallen into the sea. Marinières were made by independent tailors, but eventually were made in navy workshops; army tailoring was a separate duty, often performed by conscripts.
What is Breton style?
In a nutshell. Usually found on short- and long-sleeved cotton t-shirts, Breton stripes are horizontal and navy and white. They’re an ultra classic—and one of the easiest patterns to wear.
Why did sailors wear striped shirts?
Who made the original Breton shirt?
It was “a symbol of gender equality”, Benjamin Auzimour, Managing Director of Saint James North America, states. Saint James, founded in 1889, was one of the first companies to start producing Breton shirts after the production moved upwards from a cottage industry.
Why did pirates wear striped shirts?
Striped pants are the mark of a pirate because patterned fabric, like stripes, was more expensive than an average sailor could afford. When they were in town and needed clothing, pirates had theirs made from the best materials available.