Credit: Getty
4 min read
This playful styling trick has reignited our love for all things striped.
Stripes are a print as old as time itself, but they really established themselves in the fashion world when used in playful American-inspired preppy styling, particularly at the likes of Ralph Lauren, Gap and Tommy Hilfiger.
For spring/summer, we saw stripes of all widths and colours, spliced, layered and collaged on the catwalks. At Tommy Hilfiger, striped red and white T-shirts were seen peeking out from under oversized blue shirts; Saint Laurent had olive green striped shirts worn with ties and 80s-inspired suiting; Ralph Lauren offered striped T-shirts with contrast colours on the collars worn under bright and bold blue, green and tangerine shirts; and Proenza Schouler showed stripes that were sliced in half down the middle on ankle-grazing day dresses, while black and white striped tops were worn under black and white tailoring.
Perhaps our favourite styling hack for stripes was perfectly modelled at Miu Miu. The designer used striped T-shirts, which were styled on the catwalk over polo or cotton shirts and paired with cotton jackets, Bermuda shorts and sandals. This allowed unique and offbeat colour combinations to be used for maximum effect. The styling hack works across all types of tops – including fine knits, polo shirts, rugby sweatshirts and long- and short-sleeved T-shirts – with the latter being the simplest and most effective.
Credit: H&M
Ideally, you want a colourful option for at least one of the tops. At the Michael Kors show in New York, journalist Laura Brown wore a long-sleeve cotton cream and brown striped T-shirt worn under a mustard black and white striped crew neck in a shorter-sleeved style. The duo was styled with high-waisted tailored trousers, a belt and leather boots – a great elevated take on the trend. For a more effortless daytime look, wear them with denim Bermuda shorts or jeans and sandals.
Credit: Getty / A guest attends Paris Fashion Week
13 of the best striped T-shirts to shop now
H&M ribbed polo shirt
This bright, bold polo shirt would look great over a blue or white cotton shirt or any existing striped long-sleeve shirt in your wardrobe for spring.
Massimo Dutti striped T-shirt
Slightly oversized and in a playful palette, pair this roomy T-shirt with a trench, lightweight navy poplin trousers and ballet pumps.
Mango chocolate brown striped T-shirt
Wear this T-shirt over a green or blue top with neutral trousers and accessories for an elevated everyday look.
M&S multi-stripe T-shirt
With a contrast collar, this multi-stripe rust and white T-shirt would make a great addition to any summer wardrobe. Just add Bermuda shorts and sandals.
Toast long-sleeved top
Red is trending, and this upbeat mix of red, burgundy and cream would be perfect under a striped polo shirt or a long-sleeved T-shirt with dark indigo denim, socks and loafers.
Cos lightweight mustard striped top
Cos’s selection of striped T-shirts is unrivalled. From light to heavyweight and classic to contemporary stripe patterns and colours, it’s a range that really does have everything. This mustard style looks great with bright clothes or classic stripes.
Me+Em cotton stripe rib long-sleeve top
Slim and super soft, this black and white cotton T-shirt makes an ideal base layer over which to wear something more unexpected – a beige, olive or brown striped top, for example.
Beyond Nine Robyn top
This green, black and butter-yellow mid-weight top looks great with denim. It’s bump and breast-feeding friendly, too.
Next long-sleeve stripe T-shirt
This roomy, colourful striped cotton T-shirt looks great with khaki barrel-leg trousers or wide-leg jeans, a suede tote and chunky sandals.
Tu navy stripe crew-neck T-Shirt
This boxy T-shirt would look lovely layered over a ribbed knit or colourful long-sleeve T-shirt.
Uniqlo striped T shirt
This classic, simple striped T-shirt comes in three colours, and it’s a great choice for everyday with jeans and boat shoes.
Topshop striped polo shirt
Topshop has some brilliant striped top options, including slim-fit colourful T-shirts like this one (which looks great with roomy tailored trousers and an oversized shirt over the top), polos, rugby sweaters and more.
Whistles stripe crew-neck jersey
This understated ribbed top is an effortless wardrobe essential. The soft ivory and contrasting brown stripes look great under a bolder striped top with pleat-front trousers and retro trainers.
Images: courtesy of brands
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