Dresses & Pants

The Breton striped dress, femininity with a summer vibe.

The Breton striped dress is a modern take on the famous Breton striped shirt, now over a century and a half old and revisited many times by big names in haute couture.

Previously worn under French Navy sailors' smock jackets and pea coats, the Breton striped shirt now dresses women of all generations in a crop top or summer dress version.

The Breton striped dress has that little holiday vibe that makes you want to stroll along a fishing port during a balmy summer evening, enjoying an ice cream to the sound of lapping water, the seagulls' cries, and the ringing of ropes on boats' masts.

Several styles of Saint James women's sailor dresses are available, all of which toy with the codes of the iconic sailor garment.

Sometimes sleeveless, sometimes with short or three-quarter sleeves, the sailor dress is most often made in cotton jersey. It has the famous horizontal stripes, which are Saint James' brand signature. When they cross the path of a designer, they play with geometry. For example, in our collaboration with stylist Romain Briffault, the stripes on a top follow the V-neck line before returning to the horizontal from the waist.

Breton striped dresses are suitable for all body types, in particular, thanks to the diversity of their necklines, including round neck, square neck, polo neck and V-neck.  Some styles incorporate a small high collar which is reminiscent of that of the jackets.

The Propriano Breton striped dress is particularly suitable for summer: it is made of UVYL polyamide. This material protects the skin from ultraviolet rays, twice as much as cotton. Breathable and easy to maintain, it conforms to the shape and stands out with its discreet shine.

Saint James Breton striped dresses are ideal for the summer season but can also be worn in spring or fall under a light trench coat with thin tights and a pair of ankle boots. They also go very well with an open denim shirt and sneakers or canvas shoes.

How to choose and wear your dress

Saint James women's dresses come in different cuts, to be chosen according to your tastes, shape, and style.

Shirt dresses are one of the timeless pieces that never go out of style. Short or long, they adapt to all body types and work equally well with a chic outfit or a casual look.

With or without a belt, fitted or not, they can be worn with sandals or with a pretty pair of heals or city sneakers. If the sleeves are long, they can be rolled up to give more lightness and character to the outfit, which can reveal a beautiful watch, or a few bracelets to accessorize the shirt dress.

Denim dresses, very fashionable in the 1990s, are also making a comeback. Worn with a white shirt and a pair of ankle boots, the denim dress is perfect for the office and occasions requiring a more formal outfit. You can also slip a loose sweater with chunky stitches under this dress for a slightly offbeat and more rebel look.

At night, this model will gladly accommodate a sheer top, the neckline of which may be cleverly masked by the cut-out of the dress. It is also possible to wear it with a simple white T-shirt or a pretty striped sweater for a more relaxed look.

How to wear a denim skirt

Saint James skirts also follow fashion trends. Whether they take up the stripes of the sailor tops, are in light cotton and decorated with summer patterns, or in colored or raw denim, they fit into any wardrobe. The quality of their manufacturing ensures a perfect fit.

The denim skirt, which is one of those essential pieces that has survived the ages, can be worn all year round. In summer, it goes very well with a simple tank top, a light blouse, or a striped top, and goes with all shoes, from sandals to slides to canvas sneakers.

In autumn or spring, the women's denim skirt is a strong piece worn with ankle boots and a small perfecto, or with derbies and a fine sweater. In winter, it is perfect with a chunky sweater, fairly loose, and a pair of opaque black tights.