15 of the best Breton tops to see you through spring and beyond - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Fashion 15 of the best Breton tops to see you through spring and beyond By You Magazine - April 20, 2020 The best Breton tops quickly become the hardest working pieces of clothing in any wardrobe. Whether you favourite a traditional look or are after something a little more outside of the box(y fit), here’s what you need to know. The history of breton tops Breton tops were first worn as the uniform for the French navy, favoured for their comfortable fit and practicality, as the stripes made the wearer easy to spot in the sea during an emergency. The design featured 21 stripes, one for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories, and followed a set pattern – white for 2cm and then blue for 1cm. Coco Chanel pictured at her home in 1930. Image: Rex Features So far, so fashion-free – but when Coco Chanel introduced the striped pattern to a nautical inspired collection in 1917, after visiting France, the style set quickly got wise. Audrey Hepburn looking stylish in stripes. Image: Rex Features As the years passed, they remained popular thanks to stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn sporting them off-set – and today, they’re still one of the most versatile basics on the rails, with everyone from the Duchess of Cambridge to Alexa Chung incorporating them into their looks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge) The Duchess of Cambridge has worn multiple takes on the Breton. Image: Rex Features How to wear a breton top It sounds unhelpful to say ‘you can’t go wrong’, but honestly, it would be difficult to. Whether you team them with denim, smarten up with wide-leg trousers or tuck into a slinky skirt or under a slip dress, Bretons are effortlessly stylish in almost every situation. Oh, and don’t be afraid of clashing prints. The original Bretons featured set stripes and shades, but now, the options are endless, in terms of fit, length and colour. So, ready to shop? 15 of the best Breton tops Striped Top, £12.99, H&M A slouchy fit and cuff and long sleeve make this the best weekend throw-on. Long Sleeve Breton, £28, Boden It’s a classic for a reason – and it’s under £30. Soft long-sleeve top, £10, Monki We love the contrasting collar on this high street bargain. Saint James Minquiers Moderne Authentic Breton shirt, £49, Saint James Saint James’ stripy tops are iconic, and come with a unisex fit. Emma Organic Stripe Top, £55, Baukjen Organic cotton with a colour twist and relaxed fit. People Tree Organic Cotton Stripe Long Sleeve Top, £40, ASOS French navy + soft white = very Parisian chic. Kate Striped Long Sleeve Tee, £18, Weekday Timeless black and white will never go out of style. Kin Elliptical Hem Breton Stripe Top, £49, John Lewis & Partners Effortless oversized Scandi cool. Dino Dinosaur Breton Stripe Top, £30, Joanie Clothing For those who like their stripes with a touch of whimsy. Stitch Detail T-Shirt, £15, Next You’ll never regret a Breton tee – especially at this price. Striped Boat Neck Top, £22, Warehouse Show off your shoulders with a slim fit and boat neck. Top With Gem Button, £17.99, Zara Puff sleeves and a gem button back add interest to a stripy style. Breton Striped Top, £35, Cos Weighty cotton for an easy, breezy everyday favourite. Striped Long Sleeve Top, £23, & Other Stories A finer fabric take which also comes in turquoise. Striped Long Sleeve Top, £25, Marks & Spencer A slash-necked beauty to treasure for years to come. 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