Instant Update: The New Breton Top

1. Marc Jacobs seqinned Breton top navy, £910, Selfridges 2. Valentino striped cashmere sweater, £740, mytheresa 3. Sophie Hulme Panelled Breton top, £164, Matchesfashion.com

There’s nothing quite like the classic Breton tee. We’re sure (like us) you have at least six or seven three or four of the timeless staples lining up in your closet, each of them worn – and loved – to death.

The perfect accompaniment to, well, everything, the wonder of the simple striped top is in its ability to transfer to any occasion or season. Sling it on with boyfriend jeans at the weekend for an easy off-duty look, match it to black skinnies, heels and a statement necklace for instant cocktail attire, or neatly tuck a tailored version into a sleek pencil skirt for a sophisticated office ensemble. The Breton top can handle anything.

So, needless to say we’d never even think of suggesting you remove your classic Breton top from your everyday wardrobe. But what we would propose for spring/summer 2014 is an update.

Because this season, things are a bit more advanced than a simple navy and white stripe. Sure, the new Breton top boasts all the easy-wearing, timeless appeal of the original, but in updated colourways, boasting a smattering of embellishment (hello, Marc Jacobs), or re-imagined in new proportions, it feels suitably fresh and updated for spring. This is Breton 2.0, and since this modern classic will make for a long-term partner, we suggest you invest now.

Shop our edit of the best new Breton tops in our boutique below: