Who has best breton tops/sweaters? - YouLookFab Forum

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Who has best breton tops/sweaters?

ElleH

Veteran

Angie's post & pins today have me lusting after some classics. One of them being a striped breton sweater or tee. I'm not sure which would be more useful for me. Can they be worn in any season? If so then maybe a sweater as I already have so many tees. Then again a jersey 3 quarter sleeve is between a tee & a sweater. Well if they are affordable I could get all 3 but really should start with one & see how it fits into my wardrobe. It even works with boho. Who knew?

Which one should I get & from where? For those of you who own them, which do you love the best?

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

Kristin SF

Veteran

This is the one I ordered this year and I love it:
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../39122.jsp

I hear certain figures can order the largest boy size in J.Crew, for a much more reasonable cost. You might check out that option.

You could go directly to the source (I ordered from J.Crew since it was easy and I liked their style):
http://www.saintjames-usa.com/.....d=00000114

A good blog post reviewing various bretons:
http://www.lesantimodernes.com.....shirt.html

Good luck!!

sarah

Veteran

MaryK and Suz have the ones from LLBean. (I have one, too, but it doesn't work so well on my short torso - it would be great on you).

MsMary

Veteran

I just looked on the LLBean site and I don't see the one I have any more. Here's a similar one at Lands End: http://www.landsend.com/pp/wom.....35_59.html

sarah

Veteran

MaryK - is this not yours?

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....-sleeve-bo

MsMary

Veteran

It totally is! I guess I didn't search the right terms!

ElleH

Veteran

Mary K how is the sizing on the LLBean one? Is the fabric soft? I don't want oversized but not bodycon either.

ElleH

Veteran

I'm wanting softness for drape so I can semi tuck it. Or if I get a sweater a banded one might be good for faux tucking.

Jjsloane

Veteran

My favorite for lightweight, soft and drapey is a Boden I got several years ago. They have a few styles (but most are not in stock right now). I had an Ann Taylor one I bought in the 80's that lasted about 20 years but have not been able to replicate. Landsend Canvas has this
http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/.....98_-1.html

Can you check out Jcrew? They seem to have lots, but so many different weights, stripes and cuts you'd be best trying in person.

Adelfa

Veteran

I have the first one Kristin linked to. What I love about it is that it doesn't cling anywhere, so it ends up being really easy to style with slacks for a business casual look. The material falls straight down and the sleeves are cut generously. So if you're used to a more fitted look, you might not like this one. But to me it's a savior for work dressing on hot days.

I also have the Banana Republic sweater that so many fabbers got. It's not this exact one, but similar:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=328001002

I loved it but unfortunately sweater season is quite short where I live.

abc

Veteran

I am favoriting this thread as this style top is right up my alley, but should I be embarassed that I had no clue what breton meant?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Elle, I have the Land's End AND the LLBean ones. (That's how much I love Bretons!) My Land's End was a petite and I wore it so much it started to pill, plus it was a bit short for me, so when Mr. Suz was making an LLBean order I added a Breton.

They are similar. They're mid-way between classic tee shirt and sweater weight. More like a light sweater. I wear mine both on their own and with something underneath -- a cami or a button down. The fabric of the LL Bean one is somewhat softer and more "bendable" if that makes sense. The fit of both of these is loose on me (would be on you, as well) but is not truly oversize. I quite like the boxiness, and I do a faux semi-tuck with mine. Seems to work okay.

You would not wear one of these in your hotter days. But on your trip to England it would be super useful. Last year I was travelling in the mountains where summer evenings and early mornings are cooler than I am used to. I wore my Breton literally every single day!!

Adelfa

Veteran

abc, to make it worse, it's also called a mariniere!

ElleH

Veteran

Jjsloane how is the sizing at Boden? Whenever I follow size charts the garments are too big.

Suz how is the sizing? True to size or do they run big?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh and I have xs in LL Bean and S petite in Land's End.

ElleH

Veteran

Suz do you think I would need a S in LL Bean then? I am 35" bust, 28" or 29" waist & 36" hip.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think S would do it, Elle, yes.

Jjsloane

Veteran

For Boden sizing I usually check reviews and use their fit guide which is almost always right on (I type in how jcrew fits me and they recommend a size) My breton top is my normal smaller size and fits just right (not clingy)

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I have two bretons from Petit Bateau. They have a US site, too, but seems to be sold out. The jersey is a bit heavy and sturdy, but a great quality. For you, I think an M would fit right in Petit Bateau. I'm also 35" around my chest, and I have M.

ElleH

Veteran

Thanks Ingunn. I might be headed to Paris when I go to the UK but not sure if I will have time. Are the Petit Bateau & Saint James ones worth the extra money compared to others that are $29?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Im my opinion, definitely yes. I also have a couple of high street bretons, and the colors are duller, the fabric more flimsy etc. I much prefer the PB's. You can find Petit Bateau shops in London, too, I think.

crutcher

Veteran

Timely....I am about to order a St James Miniquier from Tales and the Unexpected (UK) and am confused as to sizes...Has anyone had experience ordering there?..sizes appear to be male (unisex)...THX

Inge

(website)

A little late to the party, but just wanted to say that I can recommend this one from Massimo Dutti. It's very lightweight (definitely a warm weather only jumper for me), it drapes beautifully, and the subtle high-low hemline looks really elegant (you can wear it as is, but semi-tucking or a full tuck works too).

http://www.massimodutti.com/we.....904587/SIL

ElleH

Veteran

Oh Inge I really love that one! They only have XL. Do you know is this a staple that they restock?

Inge

(website)

Yes, I think it would look terrific on you, Elle. Curse it about the sizes-((
I don't think this will be restocked, MD tends to have new and different collections each season. (it was sold out extremely quickly here in Belgium)

There's another striped jumper (with elbow patches, love that:-), but online also only available in L and XL:
http://www.massimodutti.com/we.....932018/STR
I haven't seen this irl, so I don't know how it looks and feels on.

Is there perhaps a brick-and-mortar store near you, then I'd call them to check if it's available there. I would also call the online customer service.

Holding thumbs for you!!

ElleH

Veteran

No stores in LA. Oh well it isn't like Breton's are rare. I will just have to find something else. I bought a soft modal one this weekend at BR. It is not bodycon but a slimfit style with long sleeves that would be better under jackets than 3/4 sleeves. I also ordered the Saint James one that J Crew has, not the Meridien 11 unisex one but the other one. I saw it in store in a large & it is boxy with wide 3/4 sleeves. It is a tee shirt weight cotton. I'm not sure if I will like the fit. It is short & boxy but I will see. Maybe the unisex one is heavier or longer or something better. If I keep the women's one I will have 2 t-shirt weight ones & no heavier ones but I could keep looking for a sweater weight one. The light sweater from MD would be warmer with a shirt layered underneath it.

Beth

Veteran

I have the BR top that Adelfa linked to. It's a lightweight cotton/silk blend and I've been very happy with it. It's fitted, looks great as a layer or as a standalone piece, and it washes well.