Reimagining a classic: The Breton stripe 5 ways

It may be safe, but a classic Breton stripe always looks chic in summer. Keep it fresh and simple or inject your own personality by mixing and matching the width and direction of your stripes, marrying star motifs with dolphin and seagull prints, and accessorising with raffia and rope detailing. Classic red is the standard shot of colour for this nautical style, but pink, orange and yellow look fresher and less predictable. Parachute silks will elevate this look beyond hokey seaside chic, while adding elements in cashmere suggest the ultimate in maritime glamour and luxury, a bit like wearing winter white. Scroll on for some maritime-style inspiration.

A Breton striped top paired with pink trousers and yellow shoes? Yes please! Suddenly a simple stripe looks utterly fresh. This look is a really cool, contemporary take on maritime chic.

A simple striped top and palazzo pants always look understatedly chic in summer. Adding a pair of quirky sunglasses, however, gives this outfit the edge it needs to ignite our interest.

This outfit is the ultimate way to reinvent a simple stripe. Who would think of pairing a gold brocade two-piece with a Breton stripe? Carolina Issa, that’s who. This ensemble gives stripes a whole new lease of life.

Pairing red and white stripes with animal print is the exact opposite of what you think actually would work. But this outfit looks superb: modern and utterly original. Note to self, must buy more animal print.

A caped element gives this otherwise simple striped top real drama. The transparent handbag and beret are totally on trend, giving the whole outfit modernity and freshness.

Main image via &OtherStories