When it comes to classic style, you can’t beat a Breton shirt. They can suit every style and have been seen on the likes of Bridgitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton).

Rumor has it Coco Chanel brought this iconic garment straight from the French Navy into her fashion collection. It’s literally been in style since 1917, so I have a feeling that it’s style will endure at least another hundred years.

If you’ve followed my style for a while now, you know I’m obsessed over navy, white, and stripes. So you know I’ve got a few Bretons in my closet! I noticed I was wearing a Breton about once a week in various ways, so I thought I’d do a round-up of how I incorporate this piece into my wardrobe.

Using pieces I already had in my closet, I put together 12 looks that will take you from the beach to the office to date night, all with one shirt. I’ve tagged as many of the items as I can, but since nothing new was purchased for this post and some items are several seasons old, I’ve also tagged similar. Please forgive me if not exact items!

First, let’s talk about the importance of the RIGHT Breton for the occasion. I own four Bretons – an oversized sweater style from Vineyard Vines, a fringed cotton three-quarter shirt from J.Crew (similar), a stretchy zipped style from Marks & Spencer (similar), and this gorgeous long-sleeved cotton Breton from Boden, which was kindly gifted through my partnership with them. 

The Boden Breton is by far the most versatile. The cotton means it can go from day to night styling and from hot to cold temperatures. The long sleeves can be left long under jackets or pushed up for a more casual style. It’s fitted without being too tight. And it retains its shape all day. 

For 20% off the Breton in this post (and any other Boden items), click this link first to install cookies, then click here. Or use code U5W9 at checkout.

I’ve preferred to style this in a classic tailored look, but the internet is full of people who have styled these shirts with leopard print shoes, plaid vests, or leather jackets. The sky is the limit with a Breton as they seem to go with literally everything!

Look 1: Summer Trip to the Sea

Denim Jacket: Polo Ralph Lauren

Breton top: Boden (gifted)

Shorts: Boden (gifted)

Belt: Boden (gifted)

Sandals: Jack Rogers. Exact colour is past season. Similar here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Exact style previous season. Similar here in a drop style.

Look 2: Summer BBQ

Sunglasses: Kate Spade. Similar here.

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Shorts: The Limited. Similar here.

Sandals: Jack Rogers. Exact colour is past season. Similar here.

Bag: Ferragamo. Similar here and here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Past season. Similar here and here.

Look 3: Power Lunch

Blazer: Polo Ralph Lauren

Breton top: Boden (gifted)

Trousers: Coast. Similar here and here.

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Prada. Similar here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Similar from So Lou Shop on Insta.

Watch: Rolex

Ring: Kendra Scott

Look 4: Nautical Work Look

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Skirt: Marks & Spencer. Similar here and here.

Shoes: Charly Amar. Similar here and here.

Bag: Boden (gifted)

Earrings: Kate Spade. Similar from So Lou Shop on Insta.

Necklace: Kate Spade. Similar here.

Bracelet: Heirloom

Ring: Kendra Scott

Watch: Rolex

Look 5: Mixed Patterns

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Tweed Skirt: Anne Taylor. Similar here and here. US version here and here.

Belt: Marks & Spencer. Similar here, here and here.

Shoes: Jasper Conran. Previous season style. Similar here, here and here.

Bag: Gucci. Similar here and here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Similar here.

Bracelet: Kate Spade. Previous season, resale here. Similar here.

Ring: Kendra Scott

Watch: Rolex

Look 6: French Chic

Scarf: Marks & Spencer. Similar here.

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Skirt: Marks & Spencer. Ridiculously similar here.

Shoes: Jasper Conran. Similar here, here and here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Exact style is past season. Similar here, here, and here.

Bracelet: Kate Spade. Previous season, resale here. Similar here.

Watch: Rolex

Ring: Kendra Scott

Look 7: Casual Friday

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Trousers: Boden (gifted)

Belt: Marks & Spencer. Similar here, here and here.

Shoes: Jasper Conran. Previous season style. Similar here, here and here.

Handbag: Kate Spade

Scarf (on handbag): Marks & Spencer. Similar here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Similar here and here.

Ring: Kendra Scott

Look 8: Networking to get you Noticed

Jacket: J. Crew. Same style, different colours here. Similar colours here and here.

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Skirt: Hobbs. Exact skirt tagged, but love the different styles Hobbs offers here, here, and here.

Shoes: Jasper Conran. Previous season style. Similar here, here and here.

Handbag: Gucci. Similar here and here.

Earrings: Kate Spade. Similar here. High end version here.

Ring: Kendra Scott

Look 9: Weekend Errands

Jacket: J. Crew

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Jeans: Polo Ralph Lauren

Shoes: Michael Kors. Current season’s version here. Similar here and here.

Bag: Prada. Similar here.

Watch: Rolex

Ring: Kendra Scott

Earrings: Lisi Lerch. 23 different colours here.

Look 10: Shopping Trip

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Jeans: Polo Ralph Lauren

Shoes: Tory Burch. Same shoe, other colours here. Similar here. Sandal version here.

Bag: Kate Spade. Similar here, here and here.

Earrings: Tory Burch. Similar here.

Watch: Rolex

Bracelet: Kate Spade. Similar here and here.

Look 11: First Day of Autumn

Vest/Gilet: J. Crew. They’ll release several colour ways of this vest both in J.Crew and J.Crew Factory come autumn.

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Jeans: Polo Ralph Lauren

Boots: Barbour

Earrings: Kate Spade. Exact style previous season. Similar here in a drop style.

Look 12: Country Walk

Vest/Gilet: Vineyard Vines. Similar here and here.

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Jeans: Polo Ralph Lauren

Boots: Hunter

Earrings: Earrings: Kate Spade. Exact style previous season. Similar here in a drop style.

Ring: Kendra Scott

Look 13: Weekend City Stroll

Breton Top: Boden (gifted)

Jeans: J.Crew Factory.

Trench Coat: Marks and Spencer. Similar here and here.

Earrings: J.Crew. Similar here and here.

Shoes: Boden (gifted)

Handbag: Kate Spade

Scarf (on handbag): Marks & Spencer. Similar here.

As with all posts, the opinions above are mine and mine alone. Some items in this post have been gifted as part of a partnership and are always indicated. This blog post was not commissioned.