Pimp my stripe

Is there anyone who doesn't love a breton?  And yes I use that in the bastardised sense of the word, as what I actually mean is stripey top or jumper.  We all know what I'm talking about. 

They are as much a staple of our wardrobes as a pair of jeans and a navy blazer.  Well, mine anyway, in my eternal quest to reach the dizzy heights of Parisian chic. 

Except that move over Paris, Milan is calling and I am now on a breton mission.  Take your normal stripe top.  And improve it.

So I found one yesterday from Per Una (yes I know I know, dig deep and think laterally peeps.  Frills and embellishments are your FRIENDS here)

And in my quest to be a Gucci-gal on an M&S budget, as soon as I got the new Boden catalogue this morning and saw "Make a Statement Breton" as an actual top, I thought - right, here's where to start. 

Make a Statement Breton from Boden £39.50  AND there's 10% off all new season stock plus free delivery and free returns with the code A3L7.

So we are starting subtle... breaking ourselves in gently so the husband and children don't think we've been sniffing glue.  Sleeve frill action at I Love Friday. 

I Love Friday Long Sleeve Top With Frill Detail in Breton Stripe £40


Metallic magic at Mango.   They say this is gold.  I think it's more of a brown.  I think it's absolutely epic, that's what I think.  As a change coming into the Autumn, this is superb.  For me - this is the crux of the Gucci vibe.  Taking something that's theoretically normal but putting an out there spin on it.  Brown breton with gold lurex.  Too delicious. 

Metallic Striped Breton T-shirt from Mango was £25.99 now £12.99


And it appears that this season, Breton needn't necessarily mean navy.  As I said - it's a stripe thing...  I found this in the sale at Boden and oh hello...  With black.  I love this.  With navy, with khaki.  I think it's about putting colours together you may not have though worked.  But in fact do.  Suck it and see, that would be my advice.  You'll know if it works. 

Drop Shoulder Breton Top from Boden was £29.50 now £14.75



And burgundy and pink at MiH in the sale.

MiH jeans Kate Breton was £115 now £34


Add detailing in the sale at Mango.

Message Striped Sweatshirt was £19.99 now £9.99



And in the red - also now only £9.99


However it's not all breton stylee.  It's just any old stripe that works.  Did I mention I was all the little bit obsessed with Gucci next season?  Fist bump for this one.  Apart from the price.  Serious sense of humour failure at the price. 

Gucci Embroidered Stripe Wool and Cashmere Blend Sweater £890 (it's not even all cashmere for the price *weeps with laughter*).  If you zoom on in the cat, I'm sure (SURE) it's not but it does look ever so slightly like they've knitted part of a real kitten into the jumper.  I guess it would explain the price...


Gucci Metallic trimmed cashmere and wool blend sweater £585


Now there isn't that much super stripey out there at the moment but that's not to say there aren't some bargains out there to be had in the dregs of the sale. 

This would serve you well now and into the Autumn from Mango. 

Striped cotton Sweater was £35.99 now £17.99


And in the ecru.. again £17.99


Pleated Stripe Longsleeve top from Topshop £34



However bargain of the day is this.  Be still my beating inner kids' tv presenter's heart. 

Modern Stitchy Stripe Jumper was £29 now £10





And in the monochrome, although I personally prefer the multicoloured by a country mile.  £12 down from £29



My favourite is the Ines Rainbow Breton Cashmere jumper from Wyse £170 BUT with 30% off all jumpers in the sale with the code .SUMMER16.



Of course the other idea is to just get a normal jumper and add something yourself.  Dare I say a brooch... This is for another day.  And I thought blouse was the only awful word beginning with B.  But I have to say, I think there might be mileage in this...

So the neutrals. 

APC Stripe top £105



Navy and white breton stripe cotton top from Orcival £55


Breton Stripe Crew Jumper from Warehouse £35

And in the navy.. LOVE this colourway £35


I cannot resist a stripe.  In any shape, colour or width.  And I wear all the ones I have.  In fact, I have to ration the ones I have as otherwise I could happily wear them every day. 

Yesterday - not so much stripe as full on Autumnal wear.  I'd love to say I was boiling hot in my wool ensemble.  Alas, I wasn't.  Summer - feel free to turn up any time you feel like ..


Grey front tie wool top - Zara
Wide leg grey wool trousers - Zara
Yellow faux leather jacket - Zara
Whtie cracked leather Stan Smiths - adidas
Haworth black leather bag - Village England

And today - again, not reinventing the wheel but perfect for the weather.  Without resorting to cashmere.  Which I was exceptionally tempted to do...


Black triangle top - hush
Denim culottes - Zara
Black Boucle jacket - Isabel Marant
Black patent Ness shoes - Whistles
Fringed Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

So I won't bore with you with the plethora of chaos that is the end of Year 6 as a parent who can't say no to volunteering but suffice to say, everyone said it would be bonkers and it's that times a thousand.  Brain.  Fried .

Not helped by my sales purchases that keep arriving which are PANTS.  Warehouse floral dress - err hello.  Demi Roussos called.  He wants his kaftan back.  Ditto a leopard print dress from ASOS, skirts from Mango (barf), the pink sandals from Carvela that I've decided to send back as I haven't worn them, which leads me onto my blog for tomorrow.  I am in sandal hell.  You have been warned....