The Sailor Shirt: A Brief History
Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 09:19PM 
Pablo Picasso wears this classic shirt which he is famous for wearing. 
A Petite Bateau girls mariniere dress. $81 at http://www.petit-bateau.us/Girls_organic_cotton_marinire_dress/pd/c/511/np/511/p/1969.html or any Petite Bateau retailers
As the tide changes, so does fashion, but this sea style will never be out of fashion. It's true. It may go out, but it will come back in soon.
In the most recent issue of Vogue, there was a page dedicated to sailor shirts. (In fact the day after the issue came out, a 7 year old I know wore her sailor shirt.) But sailor shirts are much older then that.
The shirt came from the 1820s in Brittany, France, where French seamen wore the shirt. Back in the day, it was knit cotton. The sailors wore the shirt, which had a three quarter sleeve, was worn by the sailors because its strong fabric protected them well. It is said the the navy and off white stripes were so men overboard could be found more easily. In 1858, the French made the shirt part of the naval uniform. In fact, most French sea men still wear them.
It has been worn, by many, but most famously by Pablo Picasso, the Spanish cubist. Brigitte Bardot wore it as a cover up. Also known to have worn the shirt is Coco Chanel, who is accredited with bringing the style to women's fashion.
The shirt has been modified, but mostly stayed the same. It is also called a Mariniere It usually consists of a jersey-like fabric. The horizontal navy stripes, which contradict the fashion rule that horizontal stripes make you look wider, has been place on dresses, tunics, sweaters, T-shirt, suit jackets, umbrellas, coffee mugs, tank tops, even some tacky pants and more. It has been featured in many fashion shows, and has become a favorite of Jean Paul Gaultier. It is a classic of Petite Bateau, for which they are famous The basic design also appeared recently in the Givenchy show on a blazer.
The shirt's design is simple, which keeps attracting people to tweak it. It has appeared in many styles and in many fashions. Everyone can find a sailor shirt for themselves because the shirt's simple design leaves much room to be modified an modernized.
Reader Comments (13)
If you read this, please comment so I can get a general sense of who reads.
I'm so impressed with your website, IVV! There are a couple of people in my family who wear sailor shirts too, so thanks for letting us know we are up to date. Next -- what about the classic sailor pants?
xoxo
Good job!!! i didn't know there was so much to a sailor shirt
I can never decide whether to do Lily Pulitzer for either my daughter or myself. But, after seeing your comments, I think it's worth a try! Love the site!!
OMG U ROCK YOU ARE AWESOME
sailer shirts are so cool.....
Raina, your writing is great. I actually ordered the striped Petite Bateau shirt last week. Love, Mindy
A reader sent this article to me! Thank you, Mrs. Sosland! Thought the readers of this article would be interested.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704842604574642411255465796.html
This website is FABULOUS! I love sailor shirts and I cannot wait to see your next installment. Awesome job!
XOXOXO
Donna
Very Informative! Love the Lilly piece. Great dress!
This is amazing Raina!! Looking forward to the next posting!
Saint James has a line of sailor shirts at J Crew this summer. Saint James invented this look and was
worn by Warhol and Picasso (Karl Lagerfeld
wears them exclusively).
Candy Wrapper fashion might be up my alley....
Great job, Raina!
Omg this is such a cute blog oxox