It's my French must have for Spring.

The beloved Breton.  Whilst putting together my wish list and gamely planning my Spring wardrobe, top of the list is a Breton top.  I love a stripe.  Classic or with a twist, it's my Go To print of choice.  Thick or thin (I do actually prefer thin mind you), in a myriad of styles and different colours, the only rule that I follow is two colours only.  No rainbow here thank you very much.  

Of course the ultimate for me has to be white and navy (as opposed to navy and white....see below)  My favourite style is a box shape - not too fitted (my muffin top won't thank you for that - currently trying to eat "clean and lean".  It was going so well until Friday night and a copious amount of alcohol, ditto last night at a party and today the only thing that has been clean about my diet has been the plates and cutlery that I've eaten off.  Chinese on the way, however I shall be abstaining from wine.  I would love to say this is because I'm being virtuous, however is far more due to the fact that I honestly can't face one.  Back on the clean and lean tomorrow.)

These tops for me are just perfect.  Possibly my favourite outfit, while predictable to the core, is till a fabulous elegant and timeless look.  Slightly distressed jeans, Breton top and fitted navy blazer.  My shoe of choice would be a flat one - leather sneaker or cons, ballet pump or loafer. 

I do love ringing the change with them as well and adore teaming a stripe with a leopard print. 

There are so many different versions to choose from, there definitely will be one for everyone.  

So starting with a classic Breton from Jaeger.  Loving the extra gold button detail on the shoulder. 

Jaeger Breton top £60

People Tree Breton Top £38  This is a slightly more modern take on the classic, whilst still being a loose Breton shape, the dropped shoulders add a more contemporary feel. 



If you did want it reversed in navy and white then Boden have a lovely version. 

Long Sleeve Breton top from Boden £25



Moving on to some variations now - still sticking with navy and white in a wider stripe. I love this.  Wider stripes work better if you are more well endowed and stick with a looser shape to stop the stripes *bending* round your assets. 
Modern Stripy top from Boden  £35




A nod to Breton here from River Island with the addition of a marl grey contrast fabric.  Now I'm not the biggest fan of pockets on the front of things - I am unbelievably anal about symmetry and this makes me twitch ever so slightly.  Plus I think a stripe in itself is detail enough and doesn't need further embellishment, but that's purely personal taste. 

Navy Stripe Woven front t-shirt - River Island £16





Blue Stripe Mon Belle linen T-shirt - £18 from RIver Island   Here's where my hypocrisy knows no bounds as, whereas I criticise a poor defenceless pocket for being too fussy, I have no qualms at all about graffiti all over my stripes.  I love this.  Absolutely love it.  




John Lewis COLLECTION Breton top with zip in navy and white £25  Another navy and white version - lovely zip detail at the back, slightly more fitted. 




Toast Breton top in Charcoal Melange/Gull Grey £59  Moving away from navy and white and into other colours.  I love Toast jersey - it really is amazing quality and whilst it's not cheap, I think it's some of the best jersey out there.  Feels beautiful, hangs so well and washes like a dream.  Absolutely love this grey version - would be so beautiful with whites and yellows in the summer. 





Ganni Long sleeved breton tee shirt in black and nougat - £22 from £65  I was originally looking for a black breton and couldn't find one but this one did catch my eye from Danish brand Ganni.  Great bargain now.  Love these colours together. 




Oversized in Cream and Black dip hem tunic from River Island £20  I saw this in store on Thursday and it's just lovely.  Great for throwing on for those super casual days when you want everything to hang out a bit. (that part of the summer on holiday when the muffin top moves into gateau territory).  This for me would be a perfect camping top (yes I am actually planning my camping wardrobe already.... seeing as this is the second year in a row we're going, I think I can officially have a "camping wardrobe"  Any excuse and all that) for throwing over a swimsuit and some cut off denim shorts (I think I may need white this year - seeing as it's Jan and 1 degree outside, this may be just blind ambition talking glibly here. I reserve the right to look back and guffaw at my tomfoolery) 







Pop Boutique Breton Stripe Knit jumper - £23.50 was £34.00  From the beach to the winter months - a jumper version.  Love this. 




Long Sleeve Breton top in yellow from Boden £25  And for something completely different - a yellow version.  I love this shade of yellow with dark indigo.   Am also loving it with the print trousers in the bottom pic.



Are you a Breton fan?  Feeds my love of all things French for a bit even though I cannot justify one in the slightest - I have no need.  (well, apart from my camping one of course.....hmmmmm)
Finishing with my outfits from the last couple of days - this is actually from Thursday - lovely day shopping with one of my bessies.  And then two and a half hours in the car after school driving small children around, dropping them off and picking them up.  The after school life of a mother. 


Grey Jumper with back zip - Zara
Distressed skinny jeans - Zara
Greige suede boots - Zara
Check coat - Zara
Grey Cherelle bag - Whistles

And for Friday drinks at one of the bessie's house in the evening.  Four bottles of champagne later, kids feral, we ended up doing a sleepover.  Impromptu nights are nearly always the best. 



Black crepe top edged in leather - Zara
Leopard print jeans - Great Plains
Black Margo boots - Sam Edelman
Black peacoat - Zara
Black textured scarf - Mint Velvet
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang

Now will we all get drowned this week, more rain?..... I am still on my dress hunt, having maybe made a sneaky purchase which was a total disaster.  I will report back tomorrow.