Summer Basic: Brilliant Bretons Part II

Top Row to Bottom Row; Left to Right
Top:RIVER ISLAND Stripe Wrap Shirt £34.99; VILA Stripe Top £26; ZARA Striped Shirt £25.99
Bottom:MARKS & SPENCER Pure Linen Striped Shirt £28.00; MARKS & SPENCER 3/4 sleeve drape shirt £29.50

Well lovely readers, here is Part II of my Brillliant Bretons' series.  I have begun with some gorgeous shirts as seen above.  

The River Island Stripe Wrap shirt and Marks and Spencer Drape Shirt have both been a big hit so far this season, with ladies of all different shapes and sizes adding it to their wardrobes.  It's easy to wear and can be dressed up or down for different occasions; looking as good with jeans as it does with a tailored skirt or trousers. A fab everyday shirt. The blue and white stripe adds a freshness to basics and is easy to coordinate with many different separates, looking particularly good with a navy long line blazer and jeans.  

I am loving the horizontal stripes on the Vila and Zara shirts, providing a chic alternative to a Breton tee or sweater.  

And Marks and Spencer have done it again with this pure linen pale blue and white striped shirt with a price of £28 (less if you are lucky enough to buy it on a discount day - I got mine for £22.40) - It's a versatile staple piece which will look as good on a British High Street with jeans as it will on an Italian beach with denim cut-offs. Moving on...

Top Row to Bottom Row; Left to Right
Top:  IRIS & INK Cotton Mini Dress £65; H&M Fine Knit Dress £19.99; ASOS Shift Dress £26
Bottom: ASOS Maxi Dress £55; HUSH Contrast Catherine Dress £45; NEW LOOK Tunic £17.99

If I could afford it I would have one of each of these in my wardrobe, but as I can't I would choose the ASOS Maxi Dress as I am sadly lacking in maxi dresses.  Generally I avoid them as they make me feel like I have left the house in my nightie but this one looks more stylish than most and could be worn on its own or with a sweatshirt/sweater over it on chillier days as done so well by Alex recently at the Frugality.com.
The H&M dress reminds me of a Petit Bateau dress I purchased last year with the cheeky ribbon on the back neck and would look great with flat sandals.
I have been a fan of HUSH for 11 years now and each of their collections is consistently good;  I am more than a little tempted to try out this Catherine dress.

Whilst searching for Breton basics, I came across several accessory items which I must share with you,

Top Row to Bottom Row; Left to Right
Top: VIOLETA by MANGO Cotton Bag £29.99; GAP Lace up Espadrilles £25; J CREW Embroidered Beach Tunic £78
Middle: H&M Espadrilles £7.99; ZARA Pleated Skirt £39.99; GAP Straw Tote £34.95
Bottom: MANGO Big Linen Tote £16.99; TED BAKER Beach Dress£69; ZARA Leather Espadrilles £39.99

I particularly have my eye on the GAP straw tote which looks very similar to this Sensi Studio one at Matches Fashion but at a more realistic price.

Oooo  and I like these too from NEXT at £20,

wear with a white or black top  and espadrilles like these.

Enjoy choosing your favourite nautical piece, and let me know which you choose - I always love to hear from you.
See you later in the week for some pompom and tasseltastic picks...

Sue