What is is about that original Cape Breton striped shirt that makes us want to walk on a beach or learn how to sail with the rest of the sailors? The style is evocative of so many things, we don’t really know where to begin. Were we joyfully imprinted early with visions of Gene Kelly, dancing with a mouse while sporting a tight-fitting striped tee or perhaps Jean Seberg from Iowa, who wore stripes better and chic-er/cuter than any French-born ingenue? We can imagine JFK or JFK Jr. asking us to join the Secret Service in a game of ball on the lawn in Hyannisport. We see ourselves brightening a rainy day in a striped tee with a yellow slicker or strategically throwing one on to distract the paddleball duo on the opposing side of the court. Are stripes legal on the golf course? Is it navy on white or is it white on navy?
Of course, stripe tees look great with white jeans and effortlessly chic with the new wide leg pants and three-quarter length pants. Your old “shortened for flood waters” khakis look restored with a striped tee, add a bandana and you are ready to paint a fence (as if!) Perhaps throw caution to the high seas and pair a striped t-shirt with a maxi skirt—preppie on the top and hippie on the bottom—what a great mash-up.
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