Find Your Perfect Breton Shirt
The Breton shirt - or la marinière - is more than just a basic; it is the ultimate wardrobe essential. As the iconic garment of the French Navy and the heritage of SAINT JAMES, it is a versatile piece that transcends trends.
However, we understand that finding the right fit isn't always straightforward. SAINT JAMES offers a variety of cotton weights and silhouettes to suit different preferences. Whether you are looking for a structured, heritage fit or a relaxed, lightweight feel, this guide breaks down our collection to help you select the model that best suits your style. Every Recommendation follows directly from the four preference criteria below.
Criteria
1/ Cut and fit determines the overall silhouette. Saint James offers four options: feminine fitted (close to the body, scaled for a woman's frame), women's A-shape tunic with side slits (relaxed and fluid, longer length), straight cut men's unisex (classic straight silhouette, suitable for all), and feminine slouchy with drop shoulders (oversized, relaxed, contemporary).
2/ Sleeve length comes in three options: short sleeves (for warm weather), 3/4 sleeves or 7/8 sleeves (a classic Breton length, originally designed so sleeves would not protrude from a sailor's jacket), and long sleeves (full-length, for year-round wear).
3/ Neckline is either a sailor round neck, also called a sailor round neck (the traditional wide, horizontal neckline of the French Navy marinière), or a classic crew neck (a standard rounded neckline, found on the Plouider model only).
4/ Fabric is either light soft cotton (combed cotton, smooth and fluid, lighter weight), heavier carded cotton (the original Saint James fabric — thick, structured, and durable, with very little stretch), or UV-protective stretch microfiber (a technical fabric designed for outdoor and water activities, found on the GARDE COTE III and PHARE models).
Guide
Each model in the Saint James Breton shirt collection corresponds to a unique combination of the four criteria above. Use the table below to find your match.
| Model | Cut / fit | Sleeve | Neckline | Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MINQUIDAME
|
Feminine, fitted | Long | Sailor round neck | Soft cotton |
|
GALATHEE II
|
Feminine, fitted | 3/4 | Sailor round neck | Soft cotton |
|
ETRILLE II
|
Feminine, fitted | Short | Sailor round neck | Soft cotton |
|
MERIDAME II
|
Feminine, fitted | Long | Sailor round neck | Carded cotton |
|
GARDE COTE III
|
A-shape tunic | Short | Sailor round neck | UV microfiber |
|
PHARE
|
A-shape tunic | 3/4 | Sailor round neck | UV microfiber |
|
MINQUIERS MODERN
|
Straight, unisex | Long | Sailor round neck | Soft cotton |
|
MERIDIEN MODERNE
|
Straight, unisex | Long | Sailor round neck | Carded cotton |
|
GUILDO
|
Straight, unisex | 7/8 | Sailor round neck | Carded cotton |
|
LEVANT
|
Straight, unisex | Short | Sailor round neck | Soft cotton |
|
PLOUIDER
|
Straight, unisex | Short | Classic crew neck | Soft cotton |
|
MINQUIERS DROP
|
Slouchy, drop shoulders | Long | Sailor round neck | Soft cotton |
Recommendations
| If your priority is… | Recommended model | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Women's fitted + long sleeve + soft cotton | MINQUIDAME | The women's fitted classic, Sailor round neck |
| Women's fitted + ¾ sleeve + soft cotton | GALATHEE II | Same fit as Minquidame, shorter sleeve |
| Women's fitted + short sleeve + soft cotton | ETRILLE II | Summer-ready women's fitted tee |
| Women's fitted + heavyweight cotton | MERIDAME II | Heritage weight, women's geometry |
| Women's A-shape tunic + UV protection + short sleeve | GARDE COTE III | UV sport top, A-line silhouette |
| Women's A-shape tunic + UV protection + ¾ sleeve | PHARE | UV tunic with side slits, ¾ sleeve |
| Straight unisex + long sleeve + soft cotton + bateau | MINQUIERS MODERN | The men's everyday classic |
| Straight unisex + long sleeve + heavyweight + Sailor round neck | MERIDIEN MODERNE | Heritage weight, straight men's cut |
| Straight unisex + ⅞ sleeve + heavyweight + Sailor round neck | GUILDO | Carded cotton, ⅞ sleeve, unisex |
| Straight unisex + short sleeve + soft cotton + Sailor round neck | LEVANT | Summer short sleeve, unisex |
| Straight unisex + short sleeve + crew neck | PLOUIDER | Only model with classic crew neck |
| Feminine slouchy, drop shoulders | MINQUIERS DROP | Relaxed oversized feminine silhouette |
Women's Breton Shirts
The Everyday Classic
The Minquidame Breton Shirt
Fit: Tailored Straight / Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
The Minquidame is the feminine adaptation of our unisex Minquiers. It retains the iconic Breton look but offers a more flattering geometry: the shoulders are scaled for a woman’s frame, and the body features a slight A-line cut to glide over the hips comfortably. It is soft, fluid, and effortless.
Sizing Advice: Size up one size.
The Structured Icon
The Meridame Breton Shirt
Fit: Tailored & Fitted / Fabric: Heavyweight Carded Cotton (rustic feel)
The Meridame takes the heavy, authentic fabric of the men's Meridien and tailors it for women. This is a shirt with substance; the thick cotton creates a sharp, clean silhouette that doesn't drape or cling. It features a slight A-line shape at the hip for ease of movement while maintaining a smart, fitted look through the chest and waist.
Sizing Advice: size up between one and 2 sizes, depending on personal preference
The French Riviera must-have
The Galathee Breton Shirt
Fit: Fitted shape / Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
In its signature Breton stripes, attractive and colorful from the sea-shore to the city, the versatile Galathee striped tee features 3/4 length sleeves, round neck, and fitted waist give the iconic marinière a feminine touch.
Sizing Advice: Fits true to size.
The Short-Sleeve Staple
The Etrille Breton Shirt
Fit: Tailored Straight / Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
The Etrille is the warm-weather version of the Minquidame. It features the same soft, lightweight jersey and the flattering slight A-line cut, but with short sleeves. It is polished enough to wear alone with linen trousers, yet comfortable enough for the beach.
Sizing Advice: size up between one and 2 sizes, depending on personal preference
The Relaxed Silhouette
The Minquiers Drop Breton Shirt
Fit: Slouchy shape / Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
Tailored from our all-time best-seller shirt, Minquiers Modern, the Minquiers Drop features a more relaxed silhouette with dropped shoulders while maintaining the boyfriend fit and comfortable cotton we love.
Sizing Advice: Fits true to size.
Sportswear Chic
The Garde-Cote Breton Shirt
Fit: Fitted shape / Fabric: U.V Skin-Protection microfiber
Practical, well-made, long-lasting and outdoorsy, this Breton tee can be dressed up as a stylish yachting statement, dressed down for a casual, everyday look, or in sportswear attire with jeans or shorts. Evocative of French style, simply combine this GARDE-COTE III striped top with a blazer for a classic, casual-chic look. Made in Saint-James, Normandy, France.
Sizing Advice: size up 2 sizes, unless you’d like for it to be very form-fitting.
The everyday tunic
The Phare Breton Shirt
Fit: Comfort fit / Fabric: U.V Skin-Protection microfiber
The Phare breton shirt is a relaxed-fit striped tunic with "bateau" neckline, side slits and ¾ length sleeves in our exclusive Anti-UV Skin-Protection microfiber material.
Sizing Advice: Get your usual size.
Men's & Unisex Breton Shirts
Classic & Soft
The Minquiers Breton Shirt
Fit: Structured & Fitted / Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
The universal favorite.
Simple, understated, and incredibly comfortable, the Minquiers is designed for those who want authentic nautical style without the stiffness. Crafted from our signature soft, breathable cotton, it feels lightweight and broken-in from day one. Its masculine straight fit around the waist and down the hips with full-length sleeves make it suitable for both men and women looking for a boyfriend fit.
Fashion Tip: when wearing their beloved Minquiers, many women like to roll up their sleeves as they are longer than average.
Sizing Advice: Fits true to size. Order your normal size.
Style: Unisex.
The Authentic Heritage Shirt
The Meridien Breton Shirt
Fit: Structured & Fitted / Fabric: Heavyweight Carded Cotton (rustic feel)
The Meridien is the purist’s choice. Crafted from our signature carded cotton, it features a thick, robust weave that gives the shirt its famous durability and structure. Its masculine straight fit around the waist and down the hips with full-length sleeves make it suitable for both men and women looking for a boyfriend fit.
Sizing Advice: This rustic cotton has very little stretch. We recommend sizing up from your usual size for a comfortable fit.
Style: Unisex.
The Naval Inspired Classic
The Guildo Breton Shirt
Fit: Classic Straight / Fabric: Heavyweight Carded Cotton (rustic feel)
The Guildo is a straight-cut Breton shirt with 7/8 sleeves, a boat neckline, and heavier carded cotton fabric. It combines the heritage weight of carded cotton with the traditional 7/8 sleeve length of the original sailor's shirt. It is the right choice for someone who wants a unisex straight-cut Breton in heavyweight carded cotton with three-quarter sleeves.
Sizing Advice: Size up 2 sizes from your usual size, unless you prefer a very form-fitting result.
Style: Unisex.
The Summer Essential
The Levant Breton Shirt
Fit: Classic Straight / Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
Think of the Levant as the short-sleeve counterpart to our best-selling Minquiers model. Designed for warmer weather, it is knitted from a fine, breathable cotton that feels soft against the skin. The cut is a standard straight fit—neither too boxy nor too slim—making it a universal staple for the summer months.
Sizing Advice: Fits true to size. Order your normal size.
Style: Unisex.
The Crew Neck Classic
The Plouider Breton Shirt
Fit: Straight Fabric: Lightweight Soft Cotton
Cut in 100% soft cotton fabric, the new PLOUIDER II striped t-shirt for men is an instant classic. The crew neckline and straight cut make it perfect for layering.
Sizing Advice: Order a size up for a more relaxed fit.
Style: Men.
All Saint James Breton shirts are made in our atelier in Saint-James, Normandy, France. Each shirt goes through 11 steps of manufacture over five days. For sizing guidance, visit the Breton Shirt Fit Guide. For fabric details, visit the Material Guide. To find your model through an interactive questionnaire, use the Breton Finder Quiz.
