More inclined to wear down-to-earth and comfortable style staples for off duty grocery shopping, polo matches and vacation, Princess Kate has long been dedicated to her collection of sailor chic Breton tops. The nautical minded shirts have the flair of ‘French cafe girl’ meets ‘Audrey Hepburn on a sailboat.’
Defined by their horizontal stripes, classic boatneck and elbow length sleeves, Breton tops have steadily remained in regular rotation in Kate’s casual closet. Furthermore, the princess has recently improved upon her devotion to the cotton jumper by embracing cashmere knits with the same seafaring stripe.
Here are 11 of Kate Middleton’s Best Striped Shirt Moments:
- ME+EM Cobalt Breton Striped Top
The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyed a fun family day at the Beaufort Polo Club with their son Prince George in June 2015. Appearing relaxed as she watched her firstborn tumble and play in the grass, Kate was in full mom mode for the summer outing. The princess was a striped sensation in a ME+EM shirt in a cobalt with scoop neck, three-quarter sleeves and a ruched bottom.
2. Hugo Boss Tamarini Blue Striped Shirt
A classic crew shirt, this relaxed jersey top has a soft and stretchy fit with pastel blue and white stripes. At under $100, the designer shirt was a budget buy for the princess and pairs perfectly with dark skinny jeans and Superga sneakers. The princess wore the casual top for a boat race in Heidelberg, Germany in the summer of 2017.
3. Ralph Lauren Tori Breton Top
Hailing from Ralph Lauren’s Blue Label collection, this preppy cotton top is designed with a white and navy horizontal stripes. Princess Kate first stepped out in the boatneck for an off-duty grocery run at Waitrose supermarket in Anglesey in August 2013. Later, she wore the top with her navy Smythe Duchess blazer for an Olympic outing and again on vacation to Mustique in January 2014. The Berkshire born beauty was last spotted in the shirt at the Houghton International Horse Trials in May 2016 with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in Norfolk.
4. ME+EM Cobalt White Breton Top
The perfect weekend shirt for attending sports events or playdates with the kids, this scoop neck top has a relaxed Parisian sensibility. Kate first sported the top in April 2014 in New Zealand for a sailing competition and again at a polo match in Gloucestershire in June 2014.
5. J.Crew Tippi Striped Sweater
Worn for the April 2016 launch of the Heads Together campaign, Kate’s merino wool sweater was fashion-forward but not flashy. The ivory and navy pullover was finished with a button detail at the shoulder.
6. Luisa Spagnoli Muvi Pullover
This sophisticated ribbed pullover features alternating navy and red stripes giving it a dose of classic charm. Kate stepped out in the mariner sweater for a Heads Together marathon reception in April 2017.
7. M.I.H. Drew Breton Sweater
Wearing her trademark striped shirt — Kate was fond of this merino wool sweater with white and blue stripes hailing from British retailer M.I.H for royal events in 2017. The playful pullover was a favorite of the princess’ for diary engagements including a London marathon announcement and the road race in April 2017.
8. Erdem Lotus Knit Sweater in Navy
Designed in Scotland from a fine knit, this soft 100% cashmere crewneck has the same French fashion influence as many of Kate’s seafaring styles. With a classic stripe, this designer sweater was perfect for a sailing expedition in Plymouth in July 2022.
9. Belstaff Britannia Drey Long Sleeve Shirt
Worn with a windbreaker jacket by Belstaff, this long sleeve shirt is made of 100% cotton and features a rounded neckline and alternating stripes. Kate donned the casual top and rainproof jacket for an America’s Cup regatta video in December 2020.
10. Erdem Lotus Stripe Cashmere Knit Sweater in White
A classic and contemporary knit, this black and white Breton sweater has appeared on the princess on four occasions including its debut at St. Andrews University in May 2021. Later, the sweater appeared in a birthday portrait with Prince Louis in April 2023 and most recently for an engagement with social group the Dadvengers. She also donned the Scottish made sweater for a video on her health journey and cancer diagnosis.
11. Unidentified Striped Crewneck Jumper
The princess has been spotted in this cotton crewneck with a cardigan stitch and classic stripes on three different occasions. Most recently, the future Queen wore the long sleeve top for a video for Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week in February 2023. The princess was also spotted in the sweater in April 2020 for a Zoom call as well as in May 2019 to launch the inaugural King’s Cup charity regatta race in south London.
