It’s probably a bit strange to think that one of our most beloved wardrobe classics, the striped top, has a history that’s nearly 150 years old. You see, while the tee might be ubiquitous across the high street and the world’s biggest fashion houses, it all started in a small village called Saint James in Normandy. In 1858, it became the birthplace of the striped Breton top, which had been created for the French navy. The transition from practical, utilitarian clothing to fashion came about thanks to the long summer holidays in France, but when Coco Chanel included stripes in her collections in 1913, it had the industry seal of approval.
