Horizontal stripes on tees and sweaters — or, more specifically, Breton stripes — by now feel like an indispensable component of Western dress. Developed in the mid-1800s for the French navy (based in Brittany, hence "Breton"), the blue-and-white striped shirt, or marinière, quickly gained popularity among the locals for its pure-and-simple look. But because Coco Chanel indelibly co-opted the streamlined style for a nautical-inspired collection, it eventually earned staple status with the Riviera-loving French (Brigitte Bardot, Serge Gainsbourg) and Rive Gauche-based artists and intellectuals (Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre), whose embracing of the marinière inspires designers to this day. Our favorite renditions from the Spring 2013 collections include Steven Allan's "Billy" sweater, conceived in the original colors but dealt a touch of British cool with raglan sleeves;
A.P.C.'s earthy-hued stripe-in-stripe knit, which would look positively Charlotte Gainsbourg if paired with slouchy Isabel Marant boots; and
Sacai Luck's deeply hued navy-and-blue tee, flourished with subtle flashes of ladylike tulle. But if you're jonesing for a one-piece look that will go from day to evening without a hitch, there is
Toga Archives's tunic mesh dress, a graphic showstopper with alternating matte and sheer stripes, arranged vertically for a twist of uncommonness. Sporting any these options will put you in good company — and provide modern stylistic variations that Edie Sedgwick never could have dreamed of.
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