As patterns go, stripes aren’t exactly avant-garde—in fact, they’re one of the oldest accents in the book. If you were to step out in, say, a striped Oxford shirt, a Euro-leaning Breton tee, a preppy repp tie, or a classic seersucker suit, absolutely nobody would be able to accuse you of trying to make any kind of radical fashion statement.
And yet, many guys live in fear of these fine lines. Perhaps it’s because a stripe naturally draws the eye. Or because they’ve heard that horizontal stripes elongate the wrong areas. (To which we give you Kurt Cobain.) Whatever the reason, plenty of wardrobes remain surprisingly stripe-averse, which is a shame, because stripes are one of the easiest ways to add colour, personality, and visual interest to an outfit without ever venturing too far outside your comfort zone.
And while sure, stripes may only come in one shape, they do come in all kinds of sizes. Thin stripes, fat stripes, vertical stripes, lateral stripes. And right now, they’re showing up on all kinds of garments, from lightweight shirts to athletic shorts and summer suits. Below, six simple ways to earn yours.
A Hit List for Earning Your Stripes
Start With a Breton
Nautical stripes are a great, universally-welcomed entry point into stripes. This is probably because they’ve been around since the 1850s, when the French government first introduced them for sailors. According to legend, the shirts featured 21 stripes to represent Napoleon’s victories (sick), and in a wonderfully French detail, also came complete with fastidious measurements: the white stripes were to measure two centimeters wide, the blue stripes just one.
Simply put, white and navy stripes won’t offend, and although you can find the pattern in a variety of designs, the classic long-sleeve knit offers protection from the sun and wind when you’re taking the schooner out for a spin. And while it’s a look that’s helped by coastal surroundings, it has no problem pulling double duty in the city, especially with a solid layer over it to soften the pattern a touch. If you want an OG, reach for France’s Armor-Lux, but the likes of Ralph, J.Crew, and Sunspel are as always up to the task of freshly updating a classic.