A new twist on the classic Breton top

It’s the easy-weekend look that everyone can adopt. The french chic style of the Breton is traditionally 2cm of white stripe followed by 1cm of blue – however every brand has their own version and you know longer have to stick to just blue!

Favoured by the celebs and the style is thankfully forgiving to those who don’t know if they need to dress up or down for an occasion – you can’t go wrong with this look for the daytime – it’s not something I would suggest or personally opt for as an evening look, even if it is a casual night.

Kate is often seen in this style when she’s attending sporty/outdoor events…

Alexa Chung is frequently seen wearing Breton, and it was THE choice for June’s edition of Vogue…

And when Kate Moss wants to look more glam than her Glastonbury grunge style, she too often opts for the Breton stripe, in various styles…

Whist out shopping in the last few weeks, I noticed the traditional simple style of either a short-sleeve tee or the 3/4 sleeve had taken a twist – currently on the high street with some mixed with the latest flute sleeve trend and a touch of floral?!

Check out the ones I tried on below – it’s one for this season, but it’s not a classic!

Mango
Stripe pattern sweater
£19.99

I’m trying on a medium here and this was a good fit for 12/14 size – just way too short (I think) in the body – loved the sleeves, great fabric too – perfect for cooler summer evenings.

@LovedbyLizzi

Warehouse
Engineered Stripe Top
£24

This is meant to be a loose fit top, I’m wearing a 10 here and that’s as big as I would go for me, I didn’t like it with skinny jeans, I noticed on the website it was styled with wide-leg culottes and I have to agree I think it needs that balance.

@LovedbyLizzi

Mango
Chala – Organic Cotton Tee
£6.99

Simple and sweet – great fabric, you can’t go wrong at this price! I’m wearing a medium here, I would personally try a small for a tighter fit, just to bring it in a little more at the waistline for definition. If your body line is straight, you may prefer the looser fit.

@LovedbyLizzi

Warehouse
Stripe Frill Sleeve Tee
£22
Red or blue version available

I have to say I preferred the blue when comparing on the hanger, but as a warm deep autumn, I thought I best opt for the red version – I’m not sure. The colour was fine, loved the sleeves, loved the feel of the tee, but I didn’t like the bottom part it was not flattering on me at all – maybe if I wasn’t wearing jeans, but I do like my tops to fit well with jeans as I wear them a lot! This was a size 10, which was a good fit to the top half.

@LovedbyLizzi

Oasis
Embroidered Flute Sleeve Top
£26

This top has plenty going on; it hits three trends alone with breton, flute sleeves and floral. I’m trying on a medium here and it’s way to big for a 12/14 – I’m loving the sleeves though I love the floral with the stripe, a lot!

@LovedbyLizzi

Oasis also had this one online which I’m loving too.

Striped embroidered floral pocket tee
£24

And this is me from Saturday when I met a friend in Richmond for coffee and a mooch around the shops, I was planning to wear my mustard trousers with a black top as I was expecting sunshine, however it was drizzly rain! So I shopped my wardrobe and unsure if my girlfriend would be dressed up/down, I knew my Breton top from Hollister that I bought over 3-4 years ago would be a safe option – and thankfully I did go smarter, as we ended up in the lovely The Ivy Cafe for a cheeky glass of Prosecco.