Where to find Breton - French Naval Shirts?

The Wingnut · May 7, 2005

Boat shirt?

Anyone know where to find a shirt like this without paying for some silly designer name? Should be simple, but I'm coming up empty. It's the classic boating shirt. Only source I can find is St. James of France, and the prices are sky high if you can find a retailer.

I'd expect to pay $15 - $20, but not $50!

android · May 7, 2005

Join the Portugese Navy and they'll give you one for free!

BellyTank · May 7, 2005

If you can take a long sleeved version, there are Russian ones in surplus shops and on eBay-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=70989&item=6529244797&rd=1
-hopefully you'll find one in the USA- check out the Army/Navy surplus stores.
-cut the sleeves down or leave them.
I have several of these- some cotton like a T-shirt and one wool.

B
T

Flitcraft · May 7, 2005

If you only want the shirt for the striped pattern, L.L. Bean, J. Crew, Lands End and J. Peterman all have variations on this theme (Lands End used to be a good boating supplier), but the necklines will be more of a "crew" type and less of the more angular "Breton" square neck and shoulder.

I've got two of the cotton ones from the store in Brittainy and I've got to tell you, they wear like iron. Little pricey, but a good investment.

What would be really cool would be to find one like Cary Grant wore in To Catch A Thief. That's a sharp look!

Nick Charles · May 7, 2005

LOng sleeve $24.95

the website is http://www.sieglers.com/isroot/sovietski/ImagesOnline/catalog/300103.jpg

The Wingnut · May 7, 2005

Russian surplus, perfect! I find Soviet stuff to be neat just for its dirt cheap yet robust nature.

Thanks, guys! This will be combined with a knit watch cap, black boots, navy pants, and a peacoat for the longshoreman look.

BellyTank · May 8, 2005

I think that Seaman's shirt suits a Bogart look too-
he was something of a mariner.

Those stripey shirts date back hundreds of years in maritime history and were used by many nations- stylish too.

B
T

BellyTank · May 8, 2005

Oh Wingnut-

I just remembered, my most recent blue and white stripey shirt was from
Hennes & Mauritz, (Swedish)that's H&M, I know you have H&M in the 'States now but not where.
They're a cheap, 'youth fashion' shop but sometimes have some cool stuff.
Sometimes cool by virtue of price of course-

You might be lucky if you have one in your nearest city.

Just a thought-

B
T

Biltmore Bob · May 8, 2005

You can probably get them at any Mime store...

The Wingnut · May 8, 2005

They're going on ebay with a $12 Buy it Now. At that price, I'm thining of getting two.

The striped shirt is a classic look. Combined with a dark 1/2 length coat and a watch cap or a newsboy, they really make you look like a '30s 'tough'. It's a look that gives you an excuse to not shave.

BellyTank · May 8, 2005

Show me-

Can you point me to them- I'd like to see.

Quite a Continental look too of course-
if you think of them as a Breton shirt.

What about the stripey sweaters with the button-up shoulder?
They're vintage maritime and nice too-

An alternative mode of accessorisation for the stripey shirt is;
a beret, a moustache, a string of onions around the neck and a bicycle.

http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/knitwear/armorlux.htm
http://nautical-boutique.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/mariner_shirt.html
http://nautical-boutique.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/menclothing.html
http://www.superfineusa.com/Yacht_Uniforms_Breton_Striped_Longslv_T.htm

Seems like they're pretty much premium Yuppie-wear too; hand-sewn deck shoes floppy hair and RayBans... guaging from the prices on such websites.

B
T

Marlowe · May 10, 2005

BellyTank said:
...An alternative mode of accessorisation for the stripey shirt is a beret, a moustache, a string of onions around the neck and a bicycle.

You forgot about the long loaf of bread under the arm.

ol'sassypants · Apr 26, 2006

I'm looking for a reseller in the USA to buy a classic, striped Breton shirt as worn by Picasso.

I found a slew of European stores that sell them but after the cost of shipping to the U.S. they end up with a 75 dollar pricetag. They're basically just long sleeve, cotton t-shirts with stripes and I can't justify spending that much on a t-shirt.

Anybody know of an affordable place to find these shirts in the U.S. ?

The Crewchief · Apr 28, 2006

I got the russian version if you want one.

I have a bunch of the Russian Navy undershirts in XL if you want. They are justt like the French one. White with thin blue horizontal stripes, long sleeve. Very reminicent of Picasso. $12 each shipped. Let me know
byrdja@charter.net
I have a paypal account if it easier for you
byrdja@charter.net
I have %100 postive feedback after over 160 transactions on ebay and I am recognized as a very trustworth seller.

scotrace · Apr 28, 2006

Peterman

J Peterman sells them. "The Vallauris Shirt." Dead copy.

Hemingway Jones · Apr 28, 2006

scotrace said:
J Peterman sells them. "The Vallauris Shirt." Dead copy.

And you can buy the poster of Picasso wearing it to go with it.

Baron Kurtz · Jun 7, 2006

just found this thread. there's a company in britain called the breton shirts company ...

http://www.bretonshirts.co.uk/bretton/default.htm

bk

Flitcraft · Jun 7, 2006

Breton Naval Shirt????

Anyone know where I can get one like Cary Grant wore in To Catch A Thief?
His looked as if it had thinner stripes when compared to these.

pablocham · Jun 7, 2006

The Saint James Co. is a French company that has been makinng these shirts and sweaters since the 19th century. They have a store in NYC and soon--sometime this month--they are supposed to have sales on their web page: http://www.saintjames-usa.com/

The Wingnut · Jun 8, 2006

The Saint James shirts are ridiculously expensive. About $12 to $24 for a Russian Navy work shirt (Telnyashka), bingo, you're done.

http://www.therussianshop.com/russhop/clothing/navyshirts.htm

http://www.redsoldier.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=149

http://www.stpetersburger.com/html/russian_army_uniform_1.html

Where to find Breton - French Naval Shirts?

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