The Mighty Breton

Style Theory: Capsule collection = a chic and timeless item you can wear season after season, year after year.

Over the next few months I will build up a capsule collection of elegant basics for your wardrobe that will hopefully see you through the next few seasons if not the next few years!

The first is The Mighty Breton:

Coco chanel introduced the fashion world to the Breton in 1917 after seeing the French sailor's uniform on a trip to the coast and since then, it seems, the Breton top has never looked back! It has 'sailed' into fashion consciousness becoming a fabulous, versatile, wardrobe staple and is available within all budgets:

Here are a few Street stylers rocking the Breton:

I adore the shorter smart jacket thrown over the Breton

Sling your Breton under a wider neck coloured jumper 

Wear your breton with a flippy shorter skirt and long coat (I am not brave enough for leather shorts!)

Loving the black/white stripe breton with the tan belt, black jeans and black coat

The breton...looks fab with a bright coat

I am adoring it with mustard (FYI Topshop have a fab mustard jumper)

With battered jeans

With a bright scarf, I do love a breton with a patterned scarf or chunky jewelled necklace

Alexa Chung..the Breton ambassador!

Here are a few options starting with most expensive to cheapest - click on links under photos for prices!:

Petite Bateau

A fabulous basic shape, the Breton is Petite Bateau's signature look and it is always rated highly, fabulous dense fabric, so super flattering, although a little on the pricey side!

Toast Breton

Again slightly expensive but I just adore the higher boat neck, this would look fab dressed down with boyfriend jeans and trainers, a perfectly cool schoolrun/weekend look.

J Crew

I want..I need..not too sure how good....but I like the look of it... available on Net-a-Porter.

Boden 

Boden..currently in a mid season sale so great value but be quick. I have one of these bretons and they are fab, wash well, sit well on your shoulders, the only negative is that I quite like bretons to be of a slightly heavier fabric so they can skim over rather than cling to my tummy, this is slightly too thin!

Boden necklace

I digress but couldn't help noticing this gorgeous necklace from Boden that would work so gorgeously over a breton top...I love the style will come back to you with cheaper options as I know there are tons out there!

Whistles

Lacie linen twist neck stripe, again in mid season sale, I have a breton from whistles that I bought years ago and it gets worn every year without fail!

Zara 

Striped cotton T-shirt - a good, reasonable basic probably won't last years but will do the job, I am a big fan of the slightly a-line hem..hides a multitude of sins!

Zara Cropped Breton

Striped, cropped T-shirt for all you cool hipsters who can wear crops with high waisted pencil skirts and midi flared skirts (I wish I could but can't..)

A few bits of delicious stripey knitwear to throw into the mix:

Superdry knit

Classic Breton knit..I love...

Boden Cashmere Knit

Haven't bought Boden cashmere before but all the knitwear I have bought has washed fabulously and lasted a couple of seasons. I like the flash of pink but, to be honest, a true navy/white breton never dates so if splashing out go as classic as you can!

Massimo Dutti Jumper

Striped cashmere and wool mix...I love this jumper and would highly, highly recommend, I borrowed it off my sister and she had to wrestle me to get it back! It is soo snuggly, warm, slouchy but fits well at the neck and I love the button detail down the side, looks expensive, feels expensive and is slightly expensive but sod it, a girl has to look the part when 'lounging around'!! 

So there you have it my round up of Bretons, are you a fan?

Now for a couple of outfits from this week:

Coat: Zara (AW12)
Scarf: Becksondergaard
Jeans: Topshop Baxters
Leopard Print Belt: Primark
Boots: Aldo

Navy Shirt: H&M
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Nine West
Tapestry Jacket: New Look

Thanks for reading x...next time midi skirts and chunky knits!