Best of Breton for Under €50

| Jan 13, 2015

There is one particular style I love that I alway associate with Spring Summer (and Sienna Miller) and that's the breton stripe.

One go-to look I always recommend is a pair of jeans (whichever style you like to wear), a breton top and a blazer. It's like the epitome of smart casual. I don't know what draws me to it so much, but I reckon that it's a more interesting style than a plain white t-shirt. I know stripes are a bit like marmite, we either love or loathe them, but you don't necessarily have to top for a narrow stripe style when it comes to being inspired by the breton look.

And nautical trends are a constant element on the catwalks and plenty of our favourite high street shops will be channeling this look in the not to distant future (watch out for Penneys' "Asia Nautica" story for summer).

Sienna Miller doing her take on airport style!

When I need inspiration for the Breton look, I default to Sienna Miller. It's a favourite of hers, and in her relaxed-bohemian style, she can wear it well. Under a cardi or a leather jacket are her favourite ways to style her stripes, and this recent pic of her arriving at LAX for the Globes is just one of her many ways to wear it. Even after a long journey, and very much dressed down, she still nails it, doesn't she? Sigh.

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From top left: Long sleeve top, New Look SS15, €22.99; Jumper, from the Superdry SS15 collection; Off the shoulder top, Littlewoods, €13; Wide stripe top, €15, Penneys

The stripe will come in many versions this year, so my pick for the "soon to hit shops" style is nice and varied. We love our long sleeve tops for comfort and cosiness, and there are plenty of light knit jumpers and cotton tops to wear under your Spring coat (get out that trench again!).

And towards the summer we can shorten the sleeve, as well as widen the neckline to wear with white linen trousers and jeans to keep it nice and casual. I love a wide neckline top with an a-line midi skirt for an elegant take on something that is singularly casual.

What do you make of stripes? Do you love or loathe? Share!