When you think about nautical trends, what kind of images come to mind? It’s understandable if you imagine a pointy white hat and a navy tie (cigar optional).

However, although nautical trends draw inspiration from the wind and the sea, this niche goes far beyond what we imagine as traditional sailor attire. Versatile, stylish, and subdued — there’s a reason why this style seems to be sticking around as the years go on.

Nautical Fashion Outfits for Women

1. Breton Striped Outfits

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To be a “Breton” is to be from Brittany, a seaside region of France in the country’s northwest. When used in the context of fashion, the term “Breton” actually refers to the stripes of the shirt itself, which is in its purest form a set of navy stripes on a white cotton shirt. The origin of this style is utilitarian, as it was first put forth by the French government in the mid-1800s as the navy uniform for northern France.

The Breton stripe gained real notoriety in the fashion world when it caught the eye of famed fashion designer Coco Chanel, who promptly began using the stripes in her designs. More than one hundred years later, the Breton stripe has truly stood the test of time as it continues to be a favorite across a variety of fashion styles.

Although we appreciate a classic navy and white stripe, we also love the look of Breton stripes that aren’t completely true to the original but instead simply take inspiration, like vertical multi-colored stripes. This pattern also transcends clothing types, and looks great on a number of wardrobe staples from dresses, pants, and even shoes.