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Summer Essentials: The Mariniere Top & Colors

Wednesday 6 June 2012

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The French mariniere top is a staple in my wardrobe. If you've read my blog for a while, you would know by now that I have *ahem*  a mild addiction to stripes. I've got striped tees, striped pullovers, striped dresses...... oookay, you get the picture. It's rather excessive but I can't help myself.

Trying to look reasonably well dressed in the morning without a shot of caffeine in my bloodstream is comparable to climbing Mt Everest without oxygen.  Having developed a uniform aka striped top and denim meant that I can get dressed within minutes. Perfect for someone like me who'd rather not spend unnecessary brain juice thinking of what to wear.


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I think the French makes the best mariniere tops. After all, they invented the original striped breton jersey shirts. My favorites would have to be Saint James  and Petit Bateau. The slightly heavier knit makes it even more durable. I've worn mine to death yet they still look new and un-stretched.


1. J.Crew Jenny Striped Cotton Top $40, Joe's Jeans Destroyed Long Rolled Shorts $148 (or here)
2. By Malene Birger Astha Knitted Cotton Blend Pullover  $125, J.Crew Scalloped Cotton and Silk Shorts  $120
3. Petit Bateau Mariniere Top  $90, Current Elliot Beatnik Jeans  $178
4. A.L.C Ainsley Sweater  $362, J.Crew Cotton Blend Shorts  $123 (or here)
5. Sam Edelman Gigi Sandals  $64.95  (UK, here)
6. Stuart Weitzman Alexlo Wedges  $177.90
7. Repetto Ballet Flats  $235



Now that it's officially spring, I want to inject colors into my existing clothes.  Lots of colors. To combat the constant grey skies here in England. Currently, I'm enamored by the turquoise jeans worn by January Jones. It's a refreshing shade of green which reminds me of the ripples of waves along the sandy beaches on a Greek Island.

For years, I've been told that I look better in winter tones. I've always stayed far far away from anything yellow thinking that it'll look ghastly on me. I think the trick is getting the tonal color right to avoid acquiring a pasty pallor on my face. In this case, the lemon yellow will be perfect for me. I love how Ines de la Fressange matched hers with a simple polo shirt and a pair of sandals. The result? Classy and comfortable  I can't wait to add both colors to my wardrobe.




Photo credit: getthelook.com and Daily Mail

47 comments:

  1. I really love these looks, especially Ines'! I think the turqouise/lemon shades are a nice pop of color, and when styled like how you did, they still feel chic. :)

    xxTheresa

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  2. Because of the heat in the lower USA, I won't be adding marinieres to my wardrobe this summer, but they are currently at the top of the fall list. St. James ones, of course--likely from J. Crew.

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  3. This definetly makes me want to wear these shirts, they look amazing ...especially on Rosie Huntington Whitely...*drools*

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  4. Me too! I'm a complete stripe-aholic. It's like an illness because I want to buy every striped item I ever try!

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  5. Striped top and denim is my year round staple too as you well noted! So easy just to pop it on and go and it always look nice and put together!

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  6. Love this post! I've been trying to find a top like this for a while now, but can't seem to find one that I really adore!
    You have a lovely blog :)

    from L U A R

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  7. Yes, I love my mariniere tops and all of the ones you've picked out here. I don't need another stripe but I'm always tempted. It always looks polished and you're right- classy.

    I can't wait to see you impress color. It really is such a mood lifter on those dreary days.

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  8. what would you recommend wearing for a long haul flight?? i want to look cute which is hard work with two toddlers!

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    1. I commend you for traveling on long haul flights with 2 toddlers! I can only manage one at a time. I tend to stick to comfortable pieces like a mariniere top with track pants like these Alexander Wang ones (you can get similar ones from J.Crew) that don't really look like sweats and ballet flats or converse sneakers. I prefer to layer as I've been caught in situations where the weather has turned super hot or extremely cold. Unless I'm traveling to Asia, I always bring a jacket with plenty of pockets and a cashmere shawl. I've included a link below. Hope this helps!

      http://www.chocolatecookiesandcandies.com/2012/03/travel-outfit.html

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    2. oooooh..thanks for the link. It looks soooo comfy, which is a big thing for me! love your blog, keep up the great work. Cheers sasha

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    3. Sasha, thank you for the lovely compliment! Really appreciate the kind words :)

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  9. Love this trend, stripe in general actually. This trend gives true meaning to simple chic that I like so much! :)

    Come check out my new obsession :
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/2012/06/current-obsession-fedora-and-panama.html

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  10. I can't tell you how much I love finding a refreshingly witty and lovely post like this where you get me on to a fabulous fashion trend, but not only that, then supply me of exactly where I can get it! I LOVE stripes as well. Love them, and don't have a striped top like this to accompany my many coloured denim jeans I have so I'm off to do a little shopping at J Crew :) Thank you thank you xx

    Anna xo
    http://www.lifesshinyprettythings.blogspot.com.au/

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  11. I really can't see this look going out of style because these stripes are so timeless...I've been getting interested in wearing more color, too. Good luck in finding that perfect shade of yellow for you!
    - Aliya :)

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  12. I am a sucker for these types of tees, so have a few in my wardrobe as well! :)

    http://www.logomania.nl

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  13. Yay for stripes! I can't get enough of these! Love that you can invest in them and wear them year after year no matter what other trends are happening!

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  14. I dont think i have many stripe tops in my possession but I surely love the casual &chic look it gives. It is 10 level up from regular plain jane t-shirt so it is such an easy way to look a bit more dressed up. I gotta add some more.

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  15. i looooooooooooove stripes!!

    and the funny thing about colors -- one of my fave colors is cool gray -- a lot of my clothes are gray actually, but now that i'm thinking about it, they do tend to make me look washed out/more tired than i am.

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  16. i like a lot your selection. From my point of view, "la marinière" is a classic of my dressing, it's always chic and easy to wear.

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  17. I love this! Gosh and miranda kerr just looks amazing in anything.

    161cm.com

    joanne♥choi

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  18. I love Number two, my snout is going off to look at it now, I have a navy one but the red is so zingy.

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  19. Love love Mariniere too , and like you I have a little stash .
    My St James is 10 yrs old and looks like new. It's very thick and has the rather high slash neck I don't find mega flattering . Even so it gets worn a lot especially on holiday . I love even more my ancient St James navy Breton fishermans sweater , now eaten by moth [ thought they would have found the thick wool too chewy !]

    I like the raspberry Malene Birger , but I'm on the fence about a unisex garment being so girly ....

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  21. Love this post as I adore stripes and it's getting to the point where I am boring my friends with yet another stripy top! Feeing quite hip at the moment as I have some jade/teal coloured jeans from Zara which I got last year and didn't get that much wear out of - and now I feel inspired to get them out again. For some reason I really love the yellow shorts. I have come to realise that I actually have more yellow in my wardrobe than I ever thought but I don't have any yellow shorts. Might need to remedy the gap.

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  22. I'm going to try the French labels, I have loads from J Crew and loving that Number Two (with the scalloped shorts). Have to say too Gwyn's look is perfection.

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  23. i've been wanting one for ages, haven't found the perfect one just yet but will check out the ones you linked. miranda kerr would look fab in a sack!

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  24. Stripes and dots are like easy chic patterns in my book. I just unwittingly (or maybe not) bought 2 striped dresses for the summer. I think color is a great way to foil gloomy weather. Good luck injecting some into your wardrobe :)

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  25. I'm a stripes girl too and I love January Jones' outfit.

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  26. I love a great stripey top.

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  27. This post is amazing! I like navy style!
    I love the style of your blog!

    If you want, check out my blog:
    http://thescentofglamour.blogspot.com/

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  28. I love a good stripe! And, I own about 10 of these tops :) Agreed, that they look GREAT with color. I love those jeans!

    xo everything-pretty.com

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  29. Great selection you have there! Stripe tops are definitely a wardrobe staple and it look so good with colours!

    Liz
    chewylove.blogspot.com

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  30. hi! thanks for commenting on my blog. lovely collage. I really should have more stripes in my wardrobe...


    x
    Angie
    sundaybelle.com

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  31. i love this too!! for whatever reason when i wear them it looks matronly and dowdy on me.. i wish i could look so chic and effortless in them!! because everytime i see someone wear it and it looks so chic i get so envious HAHA.

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  32. I love these tops for summer! They are perfect!
    And thanks so much for the comment on my blog! Would you like to follow each other?
    :)
    Allison
    afashionfiles.blogspot.com

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  33. Ooo I love stripes, so chic and good for summer (or year round :D). I also really like the outfits you put together, especially the one with the scallop shorts! Great post, so inspirational. I still need to find a stripe top since I only have stripe sweaters. Anyways, now following :)

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  34. I have to stop myself from buying stripped tops! so I have started buying them for my sister, brother, brother in law.... It's just a crazy addiction! They go with everything, summer and winter and I feel instantly pull together with them. Love your shoe choices as well.

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  35. I love how Miranda Kerr wears the mariniere top ! Your selection is awesome, I am craving for the second outfit + the Repetto flats.

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  36. Love this look! So comfortable but elegant. I have the colored bottoms and will be adding a mariniere top shortly - thanks for the inspiration : )

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  37. sstripes are such a casual staple for me - they just look chic no matter what!


    ♥ ThankFifi

    p.s. thanks for your sweet comment on my post.x

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  38. oh lala La Marinière - one of my weakness!!!
    Hubby says I should stop buying stripes because my closet is full of the same style and he think looks the same hahahha.
    I just said its just matter of mix & match and color combination :)

    J.Crew and Petit Bateau are my favourites!!! they just durable even after so many many years!!!

    xoxo, Haus of Gala

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  39. Love those style pictures. I'm obsessed with that bright shade of yellow this spring. I too always stayed away from yellow because I have olive skin and pale yellow is definitely not my color but somehow that bright shade makes me look tan.

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  40. Oh Gwyneth, what I would do for your legs! She's so pretty and perfect and just looks amazing for late 30s don't you think? Love her x

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  41. Just a MILD addiction! It's infected me too! HAHAHA I love it paired with denim and that yellow. Simply gorgeous!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  42. I have a soft spot for stripes too. Can never get enough. Each time I think I have enough of stripes something...I see another and think there's no harm in having one more. Sigh..

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