Stripes, like florals, seems to be the must-have print every spring. It’s not surprising, really, the graphic is bold, often bright and holds memories of deckchairs, sailors and candy cane. It’s the promise of summer and the nostalgia of sepia-tinted holidays. But, it’s also over saturated. Whether you walk into H&M or Harrods, you’ll find it. Luc Lesenecal, the CEO of Saint James (which, FYI is the MVP of Breton producers, who outfit the French police and sailors in their iconic striped tops), explained to The Debrief, this pattern is generation-less as grandmothers, mothers, daughters and sons all wear this print. As the francophile outfitters sell one million tops a year and have a new e-commerce platform on the brink of launching, is it possible for this bold pattern that has been coloured every which way and manipulated into any number of widths and directions to be given an independent spin? Yes, it certainly can. How, you ask? Scroll on to see…
Accepting The Appeal Of Millennial Pink
Credit: Instagram @asos_lotte
Growing up we loved Barbie Pink, several years on we’ve finally graduated to a new shade, albeit within the same spectrum, it’s called millennial pink. It’s the colour of Rihanna’s Fenty Spring 17 line, the shade of rosé wine we like to drink, the hue of the rose quartz crystals we have dream of buying on Etsy and Acne’s tasteful packaging. So, it’s no wonder we’re hung on Lotte Williams saccharine wash.
Match Your Stripes To Your Dad Hat
Credit: Instagram @mirandamakaroff
Miranda Makaroff takes a linear approach to summer styling, by which we mean one colour in every which way. Clashing her vertical and horizontal stripes makes a winning combination with her misshaped cap (that's probably stolen from her dad).
Dialling The Hot Line
Credit: Instagram @asos_olive
Make the mind do summersaults by amping up those fishnets you just invested in with a contrasting horizontal stripe. Olive Faye Smith looks red hot in this cap sleeve, high neck crop top and motocross skirt.
Pretend It’s Still 1991 And Layer Up
Credit: Instagram @areta
Let the nostalgia set in and pretend it’s still the ‘90s by layering your favourite tee over a long sleeve top. Time-travel back like Areta Szpuraz with a multi colour combination. The reason her look works so well is not just because of the vivid palette, but she’s nailed that borrowed-from-your-boyfriend feel. Her tee is boxy and her mom jeans are high and crinkly around the crotch while her rainbow top is tight with long, long sleeves.
Taste The Rainbow
Credit: Instagram @arpanarayamjhi
Don’t be scared of tropical, fruity shades. Wild and bright as they are, treat them like Arpana Rayamajhi does and wear them with heaps of jewellery, bold glasses and a kilt. The more pieces and colours the merrier as long as you remember your leather jacket. A biker is a fashion solvent, it soothes bold outfits and adds edge to subtle ones.
Cap It Off With A Statement Accessory
Credit: Instagram @mariahdrissi
Treat accessories like this season’s trump card. Add big earrings, and you’re winning. Top the look off with a too-cool cap, and you’ve got it, as Mariah Drissi shows.
Play The Vinyl Card
Credit: Instagram @keke
Slick and glossy, vinyl is the shiny new fabric capturing our attention. It’s daringly haunted by S&M connotations and unbelievably uncomfortable in the heat, but when worn like Keke Palmer has with a classic stripey top it’s revolutionary.
When In Doubt: Add Mom Jeans
Credit: Instagram @awatsumai
Breton stripes, like this top from Saint James, is a walking, living, breathing classic. It’s been around for over 160 years and is part of the fabric of France’s history. But, that doesn’t mean it needs to be steeped in nostalgia. Tug on high tops, tuck the top into Levi’s for a modern way to wear an icon.
Liked this? You might also be interested in:
A First Person Guide To Radicalising Your Plus Size Wardrobe
Are We Seeing Triple? Or, Are ASOS, Elvi And H&M Selling The Same Dress?
Follow Lucy on Instagram @lucyalicemorris
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.