Stripes ahoy!
Revisiting Napoleon's contribution to fashion
Stripes are the quintessential summer pattern, forever connected with breezy walks on beaches and lounging in a boat on a lazy river.
Contrary to popular belief, Napoleon was not the one who made the striped Breton sweater the official navy uniform, although legend has it that a proper Breton sweater has 21 stripes, one for each of Napoleon’s battle victories. File that away for the next Trivial Pursuit battle in your household.
The real reason why it was favoured by the navy (and commercial sailors and fishermen) sailors, was because the bold navy and white stripes made it easier to spot someone who had fallen overboard. Harsh, but true.
Coco Chanel later made the striped sweater part of her collection in 1917, and it has never really gone out of fashion since then.
Here is Sari Nordlund’s charming version of a striped summer top.
And recently, a newsletter from Other Loops landed in my inbox, with a delightful striped sweater called Direction Loop Sweater. Try not to fall overboard while wearing it, even though you should be easy to spot in the water for rescuers.
There is also the Olga Sweater by Petite Knit. It’s fresh and classic. And if you’re after getting rid of some of your yarn stash, here’s a striped sweater that fits the purpose.
If you fancy some colourful candy striped socks to keep you warm in chilly summer evenings (of which we have plenty here in Norway, at least) or if you have started your Christmas knitting list, look up Everyday Knitter’s Super Sock Snake socks.
