Trust Me—Every French Woman Owns This Chic Summer Staple

In my eyes, May officially marks the beginning of T-shirt season. Sure, you might need to keep an emergency cardigan stuffed into your tote for the time being, but before too long bare arms won't just be a fantasy. 

T-shirts come in many forms, but undoubtedly one of the most classic is the humble striped tee, aka the Breton. As the name suggests, this is a French style staple; one which fashion types all across the globe have happily adopted. It's simple, fuss-free, and endlessly versatile—especially if you opt for a monochrome iteration. Tuck it into jeans, knot it at the waist or layer it under your knitwear in the cooler months. It doesn't get easier than this. 

If you're all about embracing colour as we head into summer, there are plenty of brighter versions to suit a more cheerful palette. In fact, you might be surprised by the spectrum of striped T-shirts on offer. Scroll on to see our current favourites, plus how some of Instagram's best dressers are wearing theirs this season.

How Influencers Are Styling Striped T-Shirts:

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(Image credit: @juliesfi)

Julie styles her stripes for the beach, tucking her tee into high-waisted denim shorts.

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(Image credit: @taffymsipa)

When in doubt, make like Taffy and pair this basic with trusty blue denim.

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Anne wears her summer-ready cropped style with a lace skirt and mini shoulder bag.

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(Image credit: @salome.mory)

I can't wait to copy this easy jeans, sandals and tee look this weekend.

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Franny styles her red and white tee with simple blue jeans and white ballet pumps. 

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

I love the idea of pairing a striped tee with tailored trousers for a polished look.

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Ellie shows off her fashion credentials with a luxury Dior iteration.

Shop the Best Striped T-Shirts for Every Budget:

Next, I Have The Row Taste on an H&M Budget—Here Are 26 Summer Buys Under £100 I Love

Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine


A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor for Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and updated takes on classic designs. 


While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.