French striped tops | A French Collection

Why Do The French Wear Striped Tops?

Annette of A French Collection in Striped Top

Why Do the French Wear Striped Tops?

I've often been asked "Why do the French wear striped tops?", and even more often, "Why do so many people in Brittany wear striped tops?" Well, it was something that struck me also on my very first trip to France, and especially when we went to the region of Brittany, or Bretagne. For those that know my story, you'll know that the first time I flew to France, was for the express purpose of buying a property, in particular, a house that we planned to have as a second home.

Sound strange, that we would fly all the way from Australia with our daughter specifically to buy a property in a country on the other side of the globe, and in a land that we had never been to before? Yes, well, strange but true. You can read about that crazy experience in our post My Story: It Has To Be France. But to go back to striped tops and why so many people in France wear them, we'll take a quick look back into history.

History of the French Striped Top – La Marinière

History Of The French Striped Top – La Marinière

The French striped top, la marinière, also referred to as tricot rayé (striped sweater), seems to be as French as France itself with photos and illustrations depicting it as part of everyday French life. Is the French striped top, la marinière, really something the French wear though?

With a rich history beginning in Brittany, the French striped top has made its way through the leading fashion houses of Paris, and to wardrobes all around the world. Let's look at some details of its rise to classic French status.