Mariniere

A marinière or breton striped sweater is a long-armed shirt with horizontal blue and white stripes normally made in cotton or soft wool. Characteristically worn by quartermasters by the French Navy, it has become a classic outfit. It is also known as a Breton shirt, as many sailors in the French Navy were from Brittany.

The true French marinière or breton shirt hails from the seacoast of Brittany. It was England’s Queen Victoria who launched them into fashion—by dressing her children in replica naval uniforms. During the Belle Epoque, their associations with sun and sea exploded. And the marineres they became the symbol of summer and its holidays.

This iconic piece is a classic wardrobe for everyone, from celebrities, to painters, artitsts and some well-known brands, from haute-couture Jean Paul Gaultier, Sonia Rykiel to children wear like Petit Bateau, Armorlux or Saint James put that stripped shirt at the heart of their collections.

We love the way a classic marinere wears any children, it gives automatically a sense of freedom, a spirit of summer, but also can we used for all occasions like weddings and always gives a “je ne sais quoi” look so charming.

That’s why we tried to make our personal Milou & Pilou classic marinere as well, in soft knitwear, easy to pull on and matches with all outfits, Oh la la!