Nautical Stripes for Fall
The classic nautical look—anchored by stripes—has been a staple in fashion for decades. What started as practical wear for sailors has become a timeless style. The iconic striped shirt, or “marinière,” originated in the mid-19th century as part of the French Navy's uniform.
Originally, the Breton stripe (named after the Brittany region in France) featured 21 horizontal stripes, representing each of Napoleon's victories. The pattern made it easier to spot sailors who fell overboard, offering both function and style. Designer Coco Chanel introduced the look to mainstream fashion in the 1910s, drawing inspiration from the French Navy. Since then, it’s become a classic look often associated with the quiet luxury trend.
I recently took a summer trip to the coastal edges of the East Coast and almost everyone was wearing nautical stripes of some sort. I became obsessed with the look, and as summer came to an end, I wanted to try my hand at styling it for fall.
Here’s how to wear your nautical stripes into the fall season.
Sailor Stripes and Khaki
You can’t imagine nautical wear without wide blue and white sailor stripes and a boatneck cut. This top has a classic nautical look and goes great in a summer wardrobe with white pants, skirts, and shirts. Fall is a different story with more earth tones, but the blue still works well with tans, camel and khaki hues like this mid-length khaki skirt. Pair a navy cardigan over it when those cool fall breezes roll through. Shop stripe top .
Stripes and Pops of Color
Stripes make the outfit with a black and white stripe shift dress offset with a bright red bandanna and cardigan. While fall is often about muted and earth colors, don’t be afraid to add a bright pop, particularly in the festive colors we see the tree leaves turning, such as red, orange and yellow. Shop stripe shift dress.
Nautical Stripes and Trousers
Summer is about carefree days of shorts and skirts, but fall gets more grounded with colder days and the call for long pants. Pair a navy striped boatneck ¾ sleeve top with chinos or dress trousers in darker fall-like colors of black, burgundy or olive green. The longer sleeves protect you from the chilly breezes of fall. Add some practical loafers and a leather belt, and you’ll have an East Coast preppy-inspired outfit that is still casual but suitable for more serious occasions. Shop ¾ sleeve stripe top.
Now that you know how to wear nautical stripes for fall, will you try it?
See more of my looks on the Stiletto City Instagram page.
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