Trend Alert: Stripes

 Nautical stripes, also known as Breton stripes, have continued to be a classic trend in fashion since it's supposed birth approximately two centuries ago in France.

Audrey Hepburn

 Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel

It is first remembered as being used by the Navy for their uniforms.  However, it was Coco Chanel who made stripes a fashion classic.  She was inspired by stripes, "graphic sensibility" and their minimal effect.  Over time the trend has stayed, with contemporary designers modernising the style to suit the society of the time.  

Nothing is different this summer...

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Hermes

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Emanuel ungaro

This season we have adopted the classic look of the navy and white stripe colour palette (unlike last season where different colour stripes were a popular look).  The look this season seems to be dominant stripes - making your stripes the focal point of the outfit.

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Celine

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Sonia Rykiel

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

sonia rykiel

How to style your look...

The easiest & simplest way to wear stripes is to keep the rest of the outfit simple and minimal, drawing attention to your classically striped garment.

 Bambi northwood-blyth

Jill Sandler top

I encourage you to also try pairing your stripes with contrasting patterns!

Just like Vanessa Bruno in her spring '11 collection:

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

vanessa bruno

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Marni

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

marni

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

marni

I't not just about the tops...

Stripes this season are not only being seen in their typical home on tops and t-shirts but stripes are being seen on bags, hats, dresses, blazers, pants etc. 

Keep a look out to find a unique and different way of wearing your stripes.

Like Jean Paul Gaultier in his Spring '11 RTW collection. 

The combination of stripes and the biker trend works so well here:

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Jean Paul Gaultier

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

jean paul gaultier

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

jean paul gaultier

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

jean paul gaultier

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

jean paul gaultier

More photo inspiration:

Spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Sonia rykiel:

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Isabel marant

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

isabel marant

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

isabel marant

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

isabel marant

 spring 2011 ready-to-wear

isabel marant

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

isabel marant

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

Balenciaga

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

balenciaga

spring 2011 ready-to-wear

balmain

xxk

Let me know what you think in the comment box below:

Will you be wearing stripes this season?  If so how?  Who will you be wearing?  And what style above do you love the best?