Breton tops - fabulous or mumsy "cruisewear"

[Emo76]

I am in the fab camp, this is my maiden season as a convert, thanks to some prodding from the Wise and Avid ladies on this board.

HOWEVER (said in ridiculous tension building Simon Cowell like voice) DH thinks they are a bit "mumsy" and akin to cruisewear!

Just wondered what you lot thought (and what your partners think too!)

I am still wearing mine BTW!

I've been wearing blue/white and black/white striped tops for at least 25 years as they suit my colouring.

But now it seems I may be sporting unfashionable clothes before I even realised they were IN fashion. So I've missed enjoying a rare fashion moment.

Curses and grrrr.

I like them but find it hard to find a flattering one as I'm big of boob, so can't wear the high-necked ones.

Maybe the mumsiness creeps in when there's a scooped neck and hidden puppies distorting the stripes?

Just a thought.

I wouldn't wear a Breton with boat shoes or white loafers, that would take them into cruisey middle-age territory for me.

But I'm currently wearing mine with Crocs, so don't listen to me.

I'm not a fan of stripes - a bit too "hello sailor" for me.

And high-ish scoop necks do indeed look awful unless you have the pertest of chests.

So no, not fabulous imho.

I wore one the other day and ended up with dh helping to get the engine fixed on my dad's boat.

I felt a bit of a tit as loads of other middle aged ladies were on sunseekers also wearing bretons.

I mean if I'd know i was going boating i wouldn't have worn it.

Agree with tulpe re. Zara organic cotton Bretons, especially as I got the navy/beige for only £3.99 at the till last week. It's really lovely quality too. I think they're great, not mumsy at all imo.

pink, that reminds me of my mortification when I accidentally found myself in Brighton wearing white jeans, 80s-style long breton top and navy double-breasted blazer with gold buttons .

nearly everyone at work - and just about the whole world - had one on today...and hell no I wasnt one of them...boring, bit safe predictable imho

thanks for the feedback everybody - it's quite interesting, I hadn't appreciated Bretons polarise opinion almost as much as waterfall cardigans and bootcut jeans! Still wearing mine, yes maybe a bit safe but I need some foolproof weekend tops.

Bretons/stripy tops are no more mumsy, boring or ubiquitous than jeans, white tees, a denim or leather jacket or an LBD. They're a style classic. It's all in how you wear and style it as other posters have said.

I agree 100% with MissBeehiving and Katy* - and I love my spring/summer wardrobe of assorted stripy tops and tunics. Yes, they are safe, I suppose, but flattering (even on those of us who are larger), can be styled in various ways, and definitely haven't passed into the frumpy category (so far anyway).

yes

If it's good enough for Auds and Coco, then it's good enough for me

Good stuff -hoping to get an Armor Lux one when I go to France soon.

Surely it's a personal thing?

Leslie Caron vs. Fat Clown?

Sorry Emo but me and your DH are on the same page, there just to safe.

It is funny how Breton tops always bring such great debate. I love it ! It is a bit like Marmite I guess, you hate them or love them. I wear mine as a plain top if I am out by the sea. If I am in town, I layer it with a plain dark jacket, a long necklace, plus some nice summer wedges, and always get compliments on how stylish I look. So I fully agree with MissBeehivingChoclitWabbits, it is all about on how you wear them.