Stripe Up Your Life

There are those that

Are more influential than gold medals.

Certain ones have an instinct for satire,

Some are able to reincarnate themselves.

Their power is in shifting perspectives,

There is beauty in stripes

~ Alison Riley

Breton, nautical - call it what you will - stripes are a quintessential Spring/Summer look that will never go out of style. Inspired by sailors uniforms, Coco Chanel first introduced the look to the fashion world in her 1917 nautical collection. Since then the Breton stripe has endured to become synonymous with chic Parisian style, and is a wardrobe staple for men and women alike.

This stripe top is by French online-only brand Sézane. A firm favourite with Bloggers and Fashionistas alike, Sézane has a simple but very effective format, they have a permanent collection that runs through the seasons, and a monthly release of limited-edition collections that once gone, really are gone. 'Oscar' is one of their classics; available in red or navy stripes, it is a very lovely take on the trend. The addition of a tie at the back, that reveals a sneaky peek of flesh, makes it a real stand out piece.

The joy of the simple but chic Breton stripe top is its versatility. I styled my stripes with a pair of skinny jeans, my old Jimmy Choo Hunter Wellies (it's Lambing season here in the Scottish Borders, so these are currently my go-to footwear), and the cutest Baker Boy style hat that I found in an off-the-beaten-track store in Brooklyn, New York. This cute, sailor inspired outfit is the perfect off-duty look.

Get The Look:
Top: Sézane 'Oscar' Stripe Top in ecru/navy
Jeans: Frame Le Skinny De Jeanne Cropped Skinny Mid-Rise Jeans
Wellies: Jimmy Choo Hunter Wellies (similar)
Hat: Baker Boy Hat (similar here and here)
Photos: Jason Connery ©

Working Class Hero

“As soon as you’re born they make you feel small

By giving you no time instead of it all

‘Til the pain is so big you feel nothing at all

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be”

~ John Lennon

Nothing is cooler than a vintage t-shirt. Fact. A vintage tee styled with skinny jeans is a timeless classic, but believe me, they can also be paired perfectly with summery maxi skirts, retro denim cutoffs, or glammed up with sharp tailored suits. They are incredibly versatile, and a great way to make a real fashion statement.

I found this fantastic 1980s John Lennon t-shirt in Elizabeth and James’s LA store, and I loved it at first sight. It's an original, a one-off piece that no-one else will have. That's one of the joys of a great vintage find. Elizabeth and James designers Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen have long been advocates of all things vintage, and they recently added a personally curated selection of vintage clothing and antique goods to their beautiful flagship store.

I went classic with mine and styled it with a pair of black frame-sculpting skinny jeans, flat Gucci-esqué mules, and a very cool Baker Boy cap. The hat of the '60s and '70s thanks to style icons such as Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot, the Baker Boy cap has once again become the go-to hat for all style conscious fashionistas. It's the perfect match for my cool retro tee.

Get The Look:

T-shirt: Elizabeth and James Vintage Tee (similar here and here)

Jeans: J Brand 915 low-rise super skinny jeans in pitch (similar)

Hat: Nordstrom 'Brixton' Baker Boy Hat in black (similar)

Shoes: L'intervalle Nukin Flat Slipper Mules in black (similar)

Photos: Jason Connery ©