Striped Long-Sleeved T-Shirt – The French Classic
Short answer: The striped long sleeved T-shirt is a timeless classic with roots in French naval clothing. It lifts even the simplest outfit of jeans or chinos, and in a soft, breathable material such as bamboo viscose the classic also becomes comfortable to wear all day.
A classic that never goes out of style
The stripes come from the French naval shirt and have been a fixture in wardrobes worldwide ever since. Precisely because the pattern is timeless, the striped long sleeve is a safe buy: it looks right this year and in five years. White and navy stripes are the original, but black and white works just as well.
The width of the stripe matters
Narrow stripes read as quieter and go with more. Wide stripes are bolder and make the top the main character of the outfit. If in doubt, choose the narrow one, because it can be worn more often without being remembered. Width says more about the effect than colour does.
How to style the stripes
Stripes work best as the only pattern in an outfit: striped top, plain trousers, done. For everyday with jeans and trainers, for something smarter under a plain blazer. See the current models under long sleeved bamboo T-shirts for women, where the range changes over time.
A classic meets comfort
Traditional naval shirts were scratchy and stiff, because they were woven to stand up to wind and water. In bamboo viscose the striped T-shirt falls softly, breathes and keeps you dry. The look is the same, but the fabric is a different thing entirely, and it shows after a full day.
For the men's wardrobe
On the men's side the striped long sleeve is the easiest way to break up a wardrobe of plain tops only. It works with chinos and with jeans, and it can be worn under a dark cardigan. See the long sleeved bamboo T-shirts for men.
When stripes are out of stock
The range of patterned models changes with the season, and there are periods when only plain ones are in. The plain one in the same cut is then the closest alternative, and it is under bamboo T-shirts for men and bamboo T-shirts for women in classic colours.
Stripes and body shape
Horizontal stripes do not automatically make you look wider. What matters is the width of the stripes and the drape of the fabric: a heavy fabric that falls straight keeps the stripes calm, while a stiff one makes them ripple. That is why the same stripe looks so different in two materials.
Washing without the stripes bleeding
Wash the striped T-shirt at 30 degrees inside out and with clothes in the same colour group the first few times. Dark stripes on a white ground can release a little colour in the first wash. Avoid bleach, which attacks the dark stripe and leaves it greyish. See also the washing guide for bamboo clothing.
Frequently asked questions
Which stripes are the most classic?
Navy on a white ground. Black on white is just as useful and suits a wardrobe with a lot of black in it better.
Do stripes make you look wider?
Not in themselves. The width of the stripes and the drape of the fabric matter more to the effect than their direction does.
Can stripes be worn with smart clothes?
Yes, under a plain blazer. Keep the rest of the outfit plain, so the pattern does not compete with anything else.
See our range of bamboo long sleeve top.
