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.