The Breton Tee Through Time

It’s a favourite of ours (and yours), but where did the humble Breton Tee come from?

In 1868 an official order was introduced in Brittany, France, which made the striped shirt the uniform of the French Navy. Each one had 21 white stripes, measuring 2cm in width, and 21 blue stripes at 1cm. Not only were the stripes easier to spot in the sea if a sailor fell overboard, but it’s said that the stripes represented each one of Napoleon’s victories in battle.

The Breton Tee was designed to be practical. It was the perfect length to cover the lower back, and not too loose so that it didn’t risk getting caught on anything during work. Because of this, the famous stripe tee became popular with workers in Brittany as it was so easy to wear — and still is to this day!

We've added a tonne of flattering features to our Breton Tee too - from the boat-shaped neckline and dropped back, to the curved hems for a great fit. You can discover them in a whole range of colours and stripes to become the most well-loved layering piece in your wardrobe.