The striped sweater: a timeless staple in your wardrobe
The sailor's shirt has not only survived the ages, it has also glorified them. Born on the decks of ships in the 19th century, it was initially a utilitarian garment,...
The sailor's shirt has not only survived the ages, it has also glorified them. Born on the decks of ships in the 19th century, it was initially a utilitarian garment, designed for the safety of French sailors: its 21 blue and white stripes made those who fell into the water more visible and also helped distinguish one French crew from another. Very quickly, this simple but graphic piece became a symbol in its own right.
A breath of freedom breathed by Coco Chanel
It was in 1913, on the Normandy coast, that Gabrielle Chanel appropriated the fishermen's uniform and transformed it into a fashion manifesto. With the sailor top, she offered women a garment that broke with the rigid codes of the time: chic, free, and relaxed all at once. The sailor top thus became synonymous with emancipation, proving that one could be elegant without a corset or conventions.
From the sea to the catwalks, via the stage and the screen
Jean-Paul Gaultier elevated it to the status of a haute couture icon in the 1980s, before propelling it even further by dressing Madonna for her "Blond Ambition" tour in 1990. But the striped sweater isn't just for runway shows. For a century, it has seduced artists, stars, and rebels alike.
It's impossible not to think of Picasso in his studio, his eyes laughing beneath his striped sweater, or Jean Seberg strolling through Paris in a sailor top and boyish cut, breathing in the New Wave. From Jackie Kennedy to Brigitte Bardot, from Marilyn Monroe to Kurt Cobain, the sailor top has accompanied icons with very different styles, proving that it can do it all: embody refined chic, carefree sensuality, or a rebellious spirit. Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Kate Moss have all adopted it, transforming this simple sailor garment into a manifesto of bold elegance.
A look that speaks for itself
What makes the striped sweater unique is that it doesn't need any effort to exist. Its stripes are enough to define a silhouette. They evoke the sea, iodine, and freedom, while structuring a look without ever weighing it down. In a world of fleeting trends, the striped sweater asserts itself as timeless: a nod to the past, perfectly at home in the present, and already ready for the future.
Today, it continues to adapt to all personalities. With a suit, it modernizes the look. With simple jeans, it exudes casualness. As a dress or in an oversized version, it flirts with contemporary fashion while retaining its classic soul.
A French emblem, universal and timeless
A symbol of textile expertise, elegance, and carefree attitude, the striped sweater isn't just a piece of clothing. It's a living legacy, one that tells the story of the sea, fashion, and the most beautiful figures in pop culture.
