Whatever the destination, a striped shirt always tops my summer packing list. I own five versions, each with a different stripe pattern – some bold and wide, others finely pinstriped, most in varying shades of blue. Yes, coastal chic and crisp cotton practically go hand in hand, and the striped shirt has all the nautical appeal a holidaymaker could ever need for a trip to the seaside. But the style is far from twee and boasts strong summer-in-the-city credentials when styled right.
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TWP Next Ex Cropped Striped Cotton And Silk-Blend Shirt
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Tommy Hilfiger Oversized Fit Poplin Shirt
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My favourite ways to wear my stripes are with sporty separates, such as running shorts and racer-style sunglasses, to contrast the shirt’s inherently preppy feel; with a satin slip skirt and summery accessories (raffia bag, shell necklace, etc.) when temperatures soar; or worn open over a simple tank top with true-blue denim and minimal flip-flops for off-duty days.
The spring/summer 2026 runways also proved there are countless ways to style the piece. At Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection for Chanel, a cropped striped shirt was paired with a sweeping tomato-red skirt, creating one of the most talked-about and widely shared looks from the landmark show. A similar style appeared at Louise Trotter’s first show for Bottega Veneta, where a similar cotton number was tucked into a woven leather pencil skirt and finished with classic court shoes.
