Style: Breton Shirt

The last time I highlighted a classic style shirt was well over a year ago. Now I see chambray everywhere, which is kind of amazing. It has almost become the new oxford in New York City. I'm not really sure how or why that happens. I'm just happy to see people wearing something I've loved since I was a kid. I'll leave the science of it to Gladwell. And just tell you what I'm feeling right now... The Breton shirt... 

James Dean, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Joey Ramone, Coco Chanel, Jean Seberg in Breathless, John Thornley in his Test Shot (I had to mention it)... The list is endless of icons, male and female, who've sported the unisex nautical striped shirt. Born officially as part of the French sailors uniform to easily identify them if they fell overboard. The original shirt featured 21 stripes, one for each of Napoleon's victories.

What's even more fascinating is when I liked something I used to have to wait for it. Now it seems all my favorite shops offer a variation on this classic shirt. Here are some links to some I've seen around town. Too many to choose from. Let me know your favorite or if you have any insight into this classic look or changing times...

Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait

The Original Breton Shirt Company link

A.P.C. Sailor Shirt link

J.Crew Indigo Stripe Crewneck Tee link

Saint James Nautical T-Shirt Meridien II link

Gant Breton Striped T-Shirt link

J.Press Long Sleeve Sailor Boat Neck Border link

Comments

[Mop]

it's not easy being a style icon. keep up the great work Jake!

[mr hand]

agnes b made a nice one back in the day.

[wholesale avirex]

Stripes looks good on him. keep it up Jake.

-mikee

[undercover]

The reason why everyone is offering Breton shirts is because everyones been all over them for several seasons now. I thought you were ahead of the curve Tts a bit like posting on your blog, style alert roll ups are hot now! Whats beyond the stripe thats what you should be going on about. Dots and spots. It is and it will happen.

[chuck]

Noah (Brendon) has been doing this stuff for years.

[Jake Davis]

Undercover,

Do your homework...

http://jakedavis.typepad.com/jakedavis/2008/12/saint-james.html

Nautical stripes are timeless.

[Mxolisi]

Jake,

This Breton shirt, does it come in thicker and fewer stripes..?

Please advise.

Thanks
Mxolisi

[Erik]

Sorry, but I don't think you are the reason people are wearing chambray shirts. I have been for a long time, and I will continue in the future also.

[AC]

Regarding some of the commenting above; weird attitudes indeed... - quite possibly JDavis is just pointing out a NY overall 'tipping point - hence the Gladwell reference. Either way; be nice.

[stephen]

where can i get one with the collar like in this photo of Deaner here?

[Trag Lee]

Really nice shirts. I've been chasing their apparels for a long time.

[true religion outlet]

He was the son of a wealthy Catholic businessman, more cosmopolitan and intellectual than the crusty old WASP Bonesman conservatism that he seem to affect. Though, in truth, I think the Buckley style was just an invention of his own, analogous to the partly fictional Old North Country aristocratic Catholic style that Evelyn Waugh invented and affected in Brideshead Revafdisited. This is the style of a conscious traditionalism and it is has long been a part of anything you could call conservatism in this country and personally I think a very valuable part.

[Pandora Necklace charms]

antagonistic tone poem, follows quite rule, but at the same time keening life embodies curt chamilia charms , embodies not itself a sad, whole will fall onto the time come and gone, push the changes to come and go natural? Pw poet’s own, is enough to blame the whole objective, even their own fault and responsibility that are not it?

[Replica Omega]

If Enterprise is afoot, wealth accumulates whatever may be happening to Thrift; and if Enterprise is asleep, wealth decays, whatever Thrift may be doing.