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Limited Edition Saint James for J.Crew Shirt and J.Crew Jeans
Grey overcast days with a touch of melancholy and the ever-present threat of rain. Thankfully, the rains never came. There’s a crispness in the air, a since of anticipation. Autumn belongs to New York. But for now, a late summer day by the water is perfection.
When I was little, I would go down to North Cove Marina with my father. Ah nostalgia…. I’ve always loved harbors, sailing and all things nautical. There’s nothing more energizing than a crisp sea breeze. Last weekend, my father and I ventured down to North Cove. Have I mentioned all of the plans the two of us have? Like writing a book together. I just adore spending time with my parents.
A laid-back father/daughter day was the perfect opportunity to break out the latest addition to my collection of striped shirts. Breton shirt or La marinière (call it what you will), but you can never have too many. Effortless and chic, the Breton shirt is the crux of my off-duty weekend look. A bit gamine with touches of Audrey and Jean Seberg- I simply can’t get enough of this year-round wardrobe essential.
I found this shirt by chance. I love Saint James for its authenticity. They’re a heritage brand that combines superb quality with aesthetics- form + function. Saint James’ cottons are incomparably comfortable and wash out beautifully. I’ve long been relegated to wearing Saint James Kids or having shirts tailored. The previous limited edition Saint James collections for J. Crew haven’t worked for me, but the Galathée tee fits just so.
The drape is perfection- oversized as a Breton shirt should be, but not messy. The slimmer silhouette suits me well. The lighter weight cotton is an excellent layer against the sun. I’m excited to have a few more weeks of summer to spend by the sea…
Happy Labor Day Weekend to all celebrating! Until we meet again, be well.
PS- How do you wear stripes? Please tell.
I like that the one that you are wearing in your picture is a little nipped in at the waist (or at least it looks like it is). I think that this is the key one me if I wear them looser.
ReplyDeleteI love a good striped top. Looks good with casual as wells as dressier bottoms so long as the top is crisp with neat seams.
catssaymeow- Thank you! I think the nipped waist is much more pronounced because of the way i'm standing, but it's definitely a much slimmer silhouette in the shoulders waist and sleeves. Normally Saint James looks comical on me.
DeleteSo true! They can go casual or dressy- so versatile.
I'm a fan of a classic breton or any boatheck 3/4 length sleeve striped shirt. It's been a bit too hot to wear right now, but i really wear it like a white tee, meaning with anything. They're def a staple, basic item for me.
ReplyDeleteThe blue in your striped tee is my absolute fave. I might just have to get it too even though i am also in the search for a breton tee where it has a block of no stripes on the top. Havent seen one i really like though :/
Xoxoo
Diana
Musings by Di- I love classic bretons. I find that boat necks are most flattering. They balance very narrow shoulders and a small chest I think.
DeleteYes, it's too hot here too. Well above 90 degrees. But out at sea it gets much cooler.
I Love that blue- there's something very calming about it. It's a good change from my usual navy.
I have seen tees with no stripes at the top- such a subtle detail that looks great.
I'm glad you're happy with the fit, I tend to stay away from the more 'relaxed' fits but this looks great on you. I would have bought it, but I don't like the little label thing on the sleeve (do you think it could be taken out without ruining the top?) But I'm with you on stripes, I love them. I wear them a lot with shorts. White shorts in the summer, and black or navy in the winter :)
ReplyDeleteVanisha @ Vanishas Life In...Australia- I typically stay away from relaxed fits as well. It's not best for my body type and my lifestyle is very, very formal. It's rare that I can get away being casual or laid-back.
DeleteHmm... The stitching looks like it can easily be taken out but I'm not sure what's underneath the tag. With so much counterfeiting I wouldn't be surprised if the knit unraveled if you take the tag apart. I would hate to chance it.
I love stripes. I wish I could wear them more, but absolutely love them.
Aww... such a sweet post! You do a great job of being personal without being too personal. Perfect balance. And i love how close your family is:)
ReplyDeleteYou look great- you can do no wrong there. It's cute to see a casual day- because your lifestyle is so dressy. So happy to see a sunday post. I know it must be crazy with fashion week starting soon. Would love to hear what you're excited about!
em- Thank you. I know exactly what you mean. I do think it's important to strike a balance. It's odd when blogs never mention anything personal and yet sometimes it seems like people just share too much. I just wasn't raised like that.
DeleteI'm very lucky to have a very close family. I never forget that.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, things are hectic right now, but it's all exciting things. I'm very excited for fashion week- you can feel the anticipation! Don't get me started on the start date- crazy!
this is a beautiful breton, Saint James has such an amazing fit - they retain that classic 'boxyness' while still looking slim and contemporary. North Harbor sounds absolutely perfect :) I hope you had a great weekend! x
ReplyDeleteFen- Thank you! The original Saint James shirts never have that perfect fit on me, but I admire that on others. I'm really liking this limited edition. I think it's difficult to retain the traditional boxy shape but have it still look slim and contemporary. I'm tempted to purchase another color;)
DeleteThe Harbor is a nice little respite from city life. So peaceful. I love the urban oasis.
Hope you had a lovely weekend as well.
Oh, what a lovely shirt! I am a big fan of all things striped, as you know. Love the traditional three-quarter sleeve Breton - I have a couple by APC and Massimo Dutti. I also love my Aubin and Wills linen draped striped tee with short sleeves. Very elegant alternative to the traditional preppy Breton.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, I am living in my Muji striped dresses. They are cut so beautifully - skinny sleeves, narrow shoulders, and an A-line shape that ends just about the knee. And it's very easy to dress them up, though I usually like wearing them in a fairly casual fashion, with a ballet flat and resin, lac, or wooden jewelry.
Ammu- Thank you! I'm a large fan of three-quarter length sleeves on all shirts. I think wrists like ankles are really pretty. Out of necessity I started wearing 3/4 sleeves because most shirts in my size are designed for someone with shorter arms;(
DeleteI love the subtle twists that Aubin and Wills does so well. APC and Massimo Dutti do really good basics. When it comes to spicing up the traditional preppy Breton I always think about Chanel and Gaultier. My friend interned in the press office at Gaultier in High School and we definitely went through a stripe phase.
I see the Muji striped dresses when I walk by on the way to work. They look so cute and the fabric looks durable. I love them worn casually with a pop of color. Skinny sleeves and narrow shoulders is so flattering. What a lovely find.
Yes, the Muji dresses are very durable and easy to maintain. Am a big fan. Such good quality and for such a low price, I don't know how they do it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes to Chanel and Gaultier! Also Moschino has some great twists on the simple Breton.
I am also partial to an old acrylic-blend short sleeve sweater which my dad bought in London some thirty years ago. It is the only acrylic item I own. Beautiful black and white stripes, and that great boxy fit that's perfect with my Chanel pearls and Carven skirt. Plus I love wearing things that belonged to my parents - it's a great reminder of home :)
Ammu- Even from the window I could tell that it looked durable:) I've really been impressed with what I've seen at Muji. So glad you found something that works so well.
DeleteOh yes I've seen some great twists by Moschino.
Yes to wearing things that belonged to parents. I love the quality of old knits.
The shirt fits perfectly on you, and it will be so nice to wear with a variety of pieces. Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletelittlemissandrea- Thank you! I can't wait to layer underneath jackets when it gets cooler.
DeleteHope you had a great weekend as well.
i have been debating whether or not to invest in one of those tops from jcrew and you make it look so amazing and worth it!! i love this look. perfect top for summer and transitioning to fall.
ReplyDeletexo,
cate
Wardrobes I Met and Liked
Wardrobe Girls- Thanks Cate!
DeleteI think the limited edition collaboration is certainly worth shelling out for. A classic but the fit works so much better for me at least.
Agree about the transition.
I don't have a favorite brand of breton, but oh how I love the style. Fitted shirts, loose shirts - even a bodysuit thrown in for good measure. You just have to love no-brainer basics like that :)
ReplyDeleteMaja H- That's exactly it!
DeleteI can't say I have a favorite brand or fit either. I just love stripes in all iterations:)
What a lovely shade of blue on the breton. It reminds me of one that got away and I am still hankering after it. It's lovely to hear about you and your father. Writing a book together would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteSue- Thank you! There's something so energizing about that blue. A welcome change from my typical navy:)
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about the one that got away.
I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed hearing about my little world. Writing a book together would be amazing.
Hi Lindsay, you look lovely and so appropriate for the outing. I realise that not all Breton tees look good on me but I love the cutting of the St James on you:) I usually wear mine (from apc) rolled up at the sleeves. It's great to see you closely knitted to your family. You have been brought up well:)
ReplyDeleteEileen- Thank you! You're so sweet.
DeleteIt's so true- I love Breton tees but they aren't all flattering. Sometimes I find them too boxy for me. The apc tees are great- such classics. Love the sleeves rolled up- laid-back perfection.
Aww... Such a sweet compliment- thank you.
I came across Amour Lux (another French brand) when I was in Cornwall. Fell in love with it. The cotton is ridiculously soft and the slimmer cut is far more flattering on me. I used to be loyal to Petit Bateau but I'm planning to get a top from Amour Lux and another from Saint James though hubby thinks I'm crazy! I guess I have so many.....Oh well....
ReplyDeleteChocolate, Cookies & Candies- Yes, I know Amour Lux- they make a good Breton. I think the slimmer cut is much more flattering on me as well and a love a soft cotton that gets better with wear. Love Petit Bateau for basics too.
DeleteYou can never have too many bretons!!!
I love that St. James tee and have one myself. I bought in in New York. I wear it the same way you do, with white jeans and sometimes a fun necklace. Enjoy the last days of summer!
ReplyDeleteSunday Taylor- I'm so glad to hear that the Saint James tees work for you! I love the idea of wearing a breton tee with a fun statement necklace.
DeleteHope you're enjoy the end of summer too.
Firstly, I love how important family is to you. I feel the same way and am grateful.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, love my stripes! My favourite is now 10 years old from an Australian retailer, Country Road. It is also exactly the right fit for me - loose but not messy. It's a bit faded now but I still love to wear it.
Last year I invested in stripes by Chance. They had a pop-up store in NYC and I could have easily bought everything. I surprised myself with a dress in red and blue stripes - never thought I'd ever wear stripes as a dress or in those colours, but I've lived in it. Actually, I was just thinking the other day about how I can incorporate it into early Fall!
Alice Olive- It's so great to hear that family is important to you. That makes me really happy.
DeleteI've heard such great things about Country Road. All of my Australian friends love it. I know exactly what you mean about a loose but not messy fit. I hate when clothes look messy.
I remember the Chance pop-up and I love the line. Such good quality with a nice modern twist. Your striped dress sounds lovely. I'm excited to begin thinking about incorporating my favorite summer dresses into my fall wardrobe.
you know how i swear by my saint james shirts paired with pretty much everything. you look so fresh and classic in yours with simple white jeans!
ReplyDeletehope you had a lovely labor day weekend. it's nice that the weekend is here again after such a short workweek. :)
miss sophie- You and your Saint James shirts- always so chic. You can never go wrong with stripes.
DeleteHope you had a great Labor Day Weekend too. It already feels like so far off. Such a stressful week back though:(
I just bought a Saint James x J Crew breton but in a kids size. At first I was worried that it would be too small, but it turned out to be just right and about half the price of the adult one, and with free shipping! I find the shorter cut length torso to be much more flattering on me too. I'm thinking about ordering another one in the red/white combination :)
ReplyDeleteming- I saw the crewcuts one. It isn't the Galathee (which I happen to love and drapes better I feel). Shopping the kids works because Saint James runs so over sized. Plus I roll the sleeves, so I don't have to worry about the sleeves being short.
DeleteSaw this one on the website! The arms look a bit more baggy than expected! But Love it. So classically French xx
ReplyDeletemacaroonsinparis- Yes! I fell in love with it instantly on the website. Saint James runs very, very big. And I'm quite small. The arms are big on me- haha.
Delete