If you were to look me in the eye and say ‘I don’t have any stripes in my wardrobe’, I would be almost certain that you are in fact a barefaced liar. Because surely we all still love a good stripe. It doesn’t have to be your standard Breton striped T‑shirt – although my love for them will never die – but any kind of stripe. Big, thick, small, thin, vertical, horizontal. On shirts, skirts, trousers, jackets, socks, you name it – but maybe not all at the same time, as that might be a touch too much.
We’ve got a fair bit to get through today, as I found so many things I liked that work with this theme, so let’s get on with seven ways to wear your stripes…
STRIPED SHIRT
Can be ‘bizness’, can be casual, will never go out of style; your classic stripe button down shirt is a must. Wear with jeans, trousers, shorts or skirts. Oversized ones are great for a beach cover-up, cropped ones are a more modern twist on the classic. I found this one from French Connection as a great alternative to this very popular one from ME + EM that I featured a few weeks back.
- French Connection alissa stripe cotton shirt
- Abbott Lyon initial Figaro chain necklace
- M&S tan leather weave belt
- Mango pinstripe suit jacket
- Albaray deep waist cotton midi skirt
- Sezane Andre leather two tone loafers
STRIPED JUMPER
I imagine wearing this outfit and being at Martha’s Vineyard after a day at the beach, stopping off at the crab shack to get a lobster roll and a cold glass of Whispering Angel. That’s not going to happen any time soon, but I’d settle for a prawn sandwich meal deal and a nice sit-down under a tree in the sun in the meantime. In fact, just give me the sunshine, that would be enough right now.
- M&S cotton printed oversized t shirt
- Spitfire Havana 64 tortoiseshell sunglasses
- Arket oversized cotton jumper
- Agolde Parker denim shorts
- Moda in Pelle cross strap sandals
- Mint Velvet woven basket bag
STRIPE SUIT
If you’re looking for something suitable for the office in the summer months, but you don’t feel ready for a shorts suit, how about a linen striped waistcoat suit? I imagine Nina from ‘The Split’ wearing this to the law firm office. I have word that they are currently filming a new series, or at least a ‘special’, in Barcelona. If you’ve not seen the previous three series then I implore you to get on to BBC iPlayer right away and watch immediately, because it is so, so good.
- Whistles Lottie pinstripe waistcoat
- Monica Vinader pearl hoop earrings
- Whistles Lottie pinstripe trousers
- Mint Velvet cream leather shoulder bag
- COS boat neck tank top
- Grenson Queenie leather closed toe sandals
STRIPE T SHIRT
The undisputed uniform of every busy modern woman when she doesn’t have time to think about what she’s going to wear: striped tee, jeans and trainers. Frankly, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. To bring it a little more up to date, pair with some nice wide-leg jeans and a great pair of sunglasses.
- Hush Piper relaxed fit stripe t shirt
- Spitfire Cut 91 sunglasses
- Le Bon Shoppe green knitted vest
- & Other Stories relaxed wide jeans
- Le Bon Shoppe Leche stripe girlfriend socks
- Autry Medalist leather trainers
STRIPE TOP
You don’t have to go for the rugby style, but I’m kind of into this look. It’s my favourite of the week. Mainly because I already have this denim jacket, belt, bag and sandals in my own wardrobe so I can easily recreate something similar. I get messages every week from people who use this blog as inspiration to shop their own wardrobe, and I love that.
- Whistles stripe rugby t shirt
- Polo Ralph Lauren crop denim jacket
- COS pleated barrel leg denim trousers
- Loewe anagram reversible leather belt
- Sezane Farrow leather bucket bag
- Amazon Essentials leather sandals
STRIPE DRESS
If the floral dress and trainers uniform for event spring and summer dressing is boring you – and I have to admit I’ve fallen out of love with it somewhat recently – then how about a striped dress and flats instead? Add a good handbag and a string of pearls to finish off the look. Pearls are definitely having a bit of a moment again now. I bought some in Guernsey when we were there the other week. I was inspired by the man who made us cocktails in a bar we visited. He was wearing a simple black T‑shirt and a single string of pearls. He looked so cool, I had to recreate. Plus there’s no VAT over there so my pearls were a bargain.
- STAUD Wells pleated striped cotton-blend poplin midi dress
- Boutique Minimaliste organic pearl necklace
- Aligne Madeline cross back line midi dress
- Arket rounded leather mini bag
- & Other Stories sculptural buckle leather bag
- Gradinery rhinestone flats
- M&S leather square toe flats
STRIPE TROUSERS
I have a soft spot for stripey trousers. I had a beloved pair of multicoloured striped ones back in the very early 90s, and I wore them with great pride to various raves. These days, I probably wouldn’t add the patchwork cap, bum bag, Travel Fox trainers and wild-eyed stare. Some things are best left in the past.
- River Island blue denim cropped boxy shirt
- Oliver Bonas blue square sunglasses
- Calvin Klein cotton bralette
- Arket Shore low relaxed leg strip jeans
- Uniqlo jersey relaxed fit jacket
- Adidas Spezial blue suede trainers
I am still thinking about working on that ‘what to wear to a festival’ blog, but I’m so boring when it comes to dressing for festivals. I go for practical and comfort rather than high fashion, plus I really don’t like sequins, so there will be no glittery catsuits featured.
K x