Breton stripes

Breton stripes! "The Breton stripe shirt originated in Brittany—a French province that occupies the peninsula between the English Channel and Bay of Biscay—which may explain its nautical affiliation."

Breton stripes are a classic look that can be worn throughout the seasons. One of the advantages of owning a Breton stripe shirt is that is versatile, easy to wear, well priced and casual.

Ever since I was in my teens, I felt I had a special connection with Brittany, and last year I saw the Coco Chanel movie with Shirley McClain, and since then, I can’t stop thinking about it... so hopefully this year I will take a few days and head up to visit.

Stripes are very tricky to wear, and to wear them and look good you have to be very fit, or just know the right type of stripe that best compliments your body and features.

Here are some ideas on how to wear your Breton stripes.

Tuck in your stripe shirt with black skinny jeans, add a blazer to layer the look and add a splash of red as scarf to brighten your face. Update your look by looking for different variations of the stripe shirt like the Bailey 44, ACNE, Stella McCartney, McQ, Armani Jeans and Sonia Rykiel shirt.

Another way to wear your stripes is with an A-line skirt, and knee length boots. Wear a longer stripe Breton like Markus Lupper or Marc Jacobs as a dress or with wet look leggings, for that edgier look. For a more classic or nautical look try Blumarine stripe shirt and pair it with high-waisted pants or jeans.  

Buy Keep Store 2010

I would like to start the year with one of my favorite editorial issues – What to buy keep or store right now. Some of us are still in the “cold” wave, with clear blue skies, and some of you live in the tropics and want to start mixing some spring trends into your outfits.

Here are some guidelines on what to do right now….

BUY – If you want to start incorporating some key spring items into your winter wardrobe I recommend that you look for dresses in nude or pastel colors. Look for that shape that best fits your body, and if you want to wear it now, I recommend wearing it with high boots in dark brown, or beige. Continue to match your outfits with big heavy metal necklaces; just remember to balance it with smaller earrings, and vise versa. Wooden shoes will be very big this coming spring/summer, so if you still have them from previous seasons get them out! When it comes to Jackets, soft materials will be more appropriate than structured jackets, trying to achieve that flow and loose look. Soft jackets will help you give movement to your cloths and it will also help hide those extra kilos you may have gained over the holidays… just make sure that when you use layers you use block colors to cover that area you most want to hide…

One of the biggest trends this spring/summer are prints with techno vibe, look for prints that flatter your body type and tones that compliment your skin color not the print that is in fashion.  When it comes to handbags, crocodile, snake, and reptile skins will be the “most have” material in bags this coming spring, as well as skin clutches with metal accents.

KEEP – Floral dresses will continue to be very popular in the warmer months; I recommend that you choose the right floral pattern, the one that makes you look fresh and young, and brightens up your face. When I say floral, I don’t mean big and bold, I mean the one that you like the best, and reflects your personal style. Continue making a statement with big bead necklaces, and strappy sandals. Keep your sharp shoulder jackets, and also those shirts, and T-shirts you bought with shoulder pads and big sleeves. Slouchy bags will continue to be key pieces this coming spring.

STORE- My biggest advice is to avoid wearing all black outfits from February on, and store those dark black hosieries, and exchange them for beige, and browns. Animal charms won’t be very “in” in the next couple of months, so store them for the moment and once it’s hot get them out! Mary Jane shoes are great for any time of the year, but if we want to experience the change in season let’s store them until next fall. Cropped jackets are also very wearable but let’s try and incorporate softer looks. Store your plaid prints, until the next school season, as well as your boyish messenger bags.  

For further information please write to: blog@xtravagans.com