My obsession with stripes may have just become unmanageable. I have always had stripe envy. Whenever I see anyone in the stripe of the Breton variety, they seem inimitably cooler than everyone else. This covetousness has spanned decades and despite being the proud owner of many striped garments myself, none seem to offer me that elusive sense of cool that I so crave.

My washing line last week resembled a Brittany fisherman’s uniform parade (In my head, all fisherman in Brittany wear striped tops …oh and have parades weekly.) I have passed this love of stripes on to little Monsieur Miro, whether he likes it or not. Many say that horizontal stripes do not flatter the little man’s more rotund physique but Q.I. (my own personal televisual encyclopaedia) confirmed that scientifically this is not true. Doctor Peter Thomson, of York university, carried out a multitude of tests on the visual effect of both horizontal and vertical striped clothing. Each test proved that those of the horizontal variety make you look taller and thinner, contrary to popular belief…it must be true; it was on Q.I. and Stephen Fry said so.

Anyway, I digress, enough about Dr. Peter! I’m currently resisting the urge to purchase yet another nautical wardrobe staple, this time from Colette. French graffiti artist, Monsieur André (a.k.a. André Saraiva) has his spray painted fingers in many pies. His latest collaboration sees him working with French heritage brand St. James, to create Breton tops that are embellished with his distinctive, pink neon, signature character. The only thing preventing me from purchasing the aforementioned tees is the sobering acknowledgment of my growing, albeit trivial addiction.

So if I spot you wearing stripes, well, expect an evil stare as I continue to covet your coolness!

(Images from Monsieur A, Colette and unknown sources)