Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

A Wardrobe Staple & WIWT

So I thought I'd try something new on the blog today & once a month feature an item of clothing or accessory that I consider a wardrobe staple, together with my picks from the high street of said staple.

Of course being a lover of clothes, accessories & all things bling it was difficult to decide which 'wardrobe staple' to choose first but I've decided to go with something classic, stylish, neutral & great for a spot of pattern clashing - yup you've guessed it a striped top or to it's friends a Breton ;-)

My love for stripes seems to know no bounds as I think it's fair to say that stripes (apart from leopard print) are the one pattern that you'll see me in on a regular basis & of course different types of striped top are required for different types of outfit no?!!!  Well if you're anything like me that's what you'll tell your other half ;-)

So let's get cracking & start off with the classic breton - a long sleeved striped t-shirt top that's perfect for layering under a blazer & dressing down with boyfriend jeans & flats as much as teamed with a pencil skirt & statement necklace.  And where better to start than with Boden & a real staple of navy on off white.  I just love the quality of Boden's breton tops & have got the bright pink version of this top.  It really is lovely but if like me you prefer your tops slightly less fitted to hide a multitude of sins then I'd suggest sizing up.






And you can't have an off white on navy without a navy on off white can you?!!






Of course Boden, being Boden means that the breton is available in a selection of colours but if we're talking classics then I'm also loving the idea of a red & white breton too perfect for brightening up a spot of double denim.






Moving onto Marks & Spencer now & these pure cotton bretons look fab for the price.






Plus I'm thinking a monochrome breton would be just as useful as a navy & white one.






Or for a slight shift in the classic navy breton what about this one from Next?






Just fab for the money not to mention that this shade of blue is perfect come the sunnier months for teaming with a tan & some white trousers/jeans.






As would the coral version.






Or how about this one from Mint Velvet which has a slight twist with the zip & ruched detailing?  I have this top in the navy & again would recommend sizing up.






Now as I've mentioned above a striped top/breton is such a wardrobe staple that if you're anything like me you'll find you can never have enough variations on the theme.  One style I love is the striped sweatshirt.  Perfect for days on the sofa teamed with a pair of leggings or trackie bums but equally fab for teaming with a pair of boyfriend jeans & trainers for the school run too.  My favourite sweatshirt striped top this season has to be this one from Boden as I just love the dip back hem.






But equally these crew next sweatshirts from Next look great too.










Then of course there's the striped jumper - I have a fab one I brought from Zara several years ago which has sequins on the navy stripe & in fact is to blame for my striped addiction.  I just find it perfect for teaming with jeans for a slightly more smarter feel than a sweatshirt plus it looks fab with my wax effect jeans for a casual night out or even teamed with capri trousers & ballet flats for an elegant daytime look too.

Whilst I haven't been able to find any sequinned striped jumpers I do love the look of this thin knit jumper from boden.  Not too long in the body so perfect for layering over an oversized shirt or of course under a classic navy blazer.






If you prefer your jumpers a bit more boxy & dressed down then you'll love these from Hush.  How fab does the jumper looked teamed with a simple pair of denim shorts.  Finish off with a classic straw trilby & you've got one hell of a stylish laid back casual look for summer.










Now when I said I couldn't find a breton with sequins I was lying as I'd forgotten about the fab slogan one from Wallis that is already hanging in my wardrobe & has been out to play on a couple of occasions already.  I just love the splash of red & can't wait to team it with my red blazer & boyfriend jeans for a great casual look.






Next on the stripe addiction list is the relaxed stripe t-shirt box that needs to be ticked & if you're preference is long sleeved then how about this one from Marks & Spencer?






Or if you prefer short sleeves then what about this oversized linen one from Boden?  Perfect for throwing on with some skinny or boyfriend jeans & a stack of bracelets for the summer.










Or if you prefer something a little bit more fitted then Next have this great one for £14.






Finally having looked at all the striped tops out there I think I may have found a hole in my striped addiction!  Yup & that is the smart stripe top.  Perfect for dressing up jeans & teaming with heels & a statement clutch for a night out or wearing with capri/wide legged trousers or a pencil skirt for work.

But if like me you have such a hole in your wardrobe then fear not as Next have this lovely jacquard striped top, which I just love for the texture alone.






Or Mango also have this textured top in monochrome - both I fear will need further investigation as they could prove so very, very useful!






Finally here's what I'm wearing today.  Up & out early this morning for a day out at an antique fair  & hoping to grab a bargain :-)




Parka - Zara
Scarf - Zara
Jumper - Zara
Jeans - Zara
Boots - Clarks


Dressed Down With A Parka


Parka - Mango £119.99
Jumper - Boden £89
Scarf - ASOS £18
Jeans - Mango £44.99
Boots - Clarks Now £55



So what do you think?  Do you see anything to get your stripe addiction clicking or are you a one striped top kind of girl?  Perhaps you've seen something even more striped-tastic, in which case please share!

As always I'd love to hear your thoughts & seriously can a girl ever have too many stripes?!!

Don't forget Boden's 20% off all knitwear & outwear ends tomorrow click here & use code H7W9.

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18 comments

  1. A striped top is a wardrobe essential for me, love them. I want to invest in another Petit Bateau one, but you can never beat good old Boden's Bretons. X

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    1. Yup I think I'd be lost without the odd striped top or two & the Boden ones are great aren't they Annmarie & such fab quality too.
      Jane xx

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  2. Well as I am wearing that first Boden Breton today (and I can also tick off no. 3 on the list among many others that I own), I think it's safe to say I'm definitely a stripe fan! Next on my wishlist is a gorgeous grey and white striped drop sleeved tee from Warehouse. Love your stripy scarf too!

    Becky x

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    1. Lol Becky yes I think it's fair to say you're well & truly in the stripe loving camp :-)
      Jane xx

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  3. Love Bretons & have several but they're all white with navy stripe & I really need a navy with white stripe so I might give the Boden one a shot!

    I love the idea of wardrobe staples/basics posts, looking forward to the next one! :) x

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    1. You'll love the Boden ones Sarah but I would definitely suggest sizing up unless you like yours figure hugging & thank you I've got lots of post ideas already!
      Jane xx

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  4. I have a stripe 'problem' too Jane! I just never feel like I have enough and always home in on them in shops! That last Mango one is my favourite, it just has that little twist and is a bit different to the norm x

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    1. It's lovely isn't it Natalie & once you've got a few basic bretons it fab to start getting some that are just that little bit different.....well that's my excuse anyway ;-0
      Jane xx

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  5. Looking for a olive or khaki coloured breton, anybody found one? Xx

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    1. Hi I'm loving the idea of an olive/khaki coloured breton, I can't remember seeing any recently but will definitely keep my eye out for you.
      Jane xx

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  6. I love the Boden oversize linen tee as it's just that bit different to any of the other Bretons I have! After seeing this selection I fear I am bound to be adding another to my ever growing Breton collection! ;0) xx

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    1. It's gorgeous isn't it Michelle & I think it would look fab teamed with some denim cutoffs for the summer. The trouble with stripes is that they're so useful who can possibly resist?!!
      Jane xx

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  7. I have the top Boden navy one, they do come up small though so I am returning it to go up a size. Stripes and navy are 2 of my favourites! I love the Mint Velvet grey one too... xx

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    1. Hi Kate they're a great wardrobe classic aren't they & like you I'm loving the Mint Velvet one as it just looks the perfect shade of grey!
      Jane xx

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  8. Jane what is it about stripes, they just make me feel a bit chic, cool but casual, have far too many, but I can always find room for one more though, love the Boden one! Helen xx

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    1. They're just irresistible aren't they Helen & so chic too how can a girl resist?!!!
      Jane xx

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  9. Great idea, Jane! You can't beat a breton and I have quite a few. I swear by Boden's too but I do size up. Lynne xx

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    1. Stripes are a necessity aren't they Lynne. Glad I'm not the only one to size up with Boden's bretons!
      Jane xx

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