Saint James
The stripe shirt. Many consider it the little black dress of casualwear. From quiet al fresco brunches to summer sailing trips, stripes go where the LBD simply can’t, all while achieving the same chic, effortless, put-together style that makes it such a timeless choice.
While you may have one or many stripe shirts in your wardrobe, you probably don’t know where the style came from. Enter Saint James, the originator of the French Breton stripe shirt and a brand that is well-known throughout Connecticut and the world for its nautically-inspired fashion and commitment to quality. We sat down with the brand for a more intimate look at this highly-coveted and effortlessly chic style.
Saint James is fashion royalty here at The Trunk Show and it has certainly made a name for itself around the world. Can you give us a little history lesson?
Absolutely! Saint James began in 1850 in the city of Saint James, in Normandy, France, not far from the famous Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. In 1858, the Breton stripe jersey became the official uniform for the French Navy. In 1889, Saint James built their first workshop where they began manufacturing on a larger scale, knitting uniforms for the French Navy and for the fishermen around Normandy and Brittany. Around 1950, the company began to design a collection of men's and women’s stripe jerseys and nautical sweaters that appealed to French seaside holidaymakers. Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Pablo Picasso, and Carl Lagerfield are just a few well-known names who could be seen wearing Saint James along the French Riviera and other fashionable seaside destinations.
Saint James is really known for casual elegance and we are truly living in a casual time. How has the current environment changed things for the brand?
Our casual style has always been in huge demand and because we appeal to the 20-year-old, the 80-year-old, and everyone in between. With more people working from home, there has been a bigger push for comfort but women still want to look polished and feel stylish. That’s Saint James in a nutshell. Classic, put-together style that’s easy to wear and looks beautiful.
Can we talk a bit about your materials?
Yes, the cornerstones of the brand are cotton and wool. Cotton is one of the most widely cultivated materials globally, so it is naturally the most commonly used natural fiber. At Saint James, we use it in our Breton Striped Shirts, but also some sweaters, T-shirts, polo shirts, shirts, pants, and dresses. A range of our cotton products is GOTS certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). In the long term, the goal is to extend this certification to most of our cotton pieces.
Wool is Saint James’s hallmark. We knit exclusively pure new wool, in other words, wool directly obtained from the shearing of living sheep. Of natural origin, totally recyclable, and biodegradable, how wool is truly supposed to be.
What can we expect from Saint James in the newest collection?
In the upcoming year, we're forecasting, beige, elegant, premium colorways, but always providing versatility with each piece. Something we strive for in our wool sweaters for example is allowing them to keep you warm while you are working on the job, but comfortable off the job - something a true sailor would want to this day. Quality, versatility, and durability.
What’s the one thing that you think every woman should have in their closet?
A stripe shirt! It’s a style that goes anywhere, any time. It’s clean, classic, and elegant.
What do you think defines Connecticut style?
Connecticut women tend to lean towards styles that are slightly preppy, chic, and youthful. Saint James is widely recognized around the state and people love it because they know they are purchasing an investment piece that’s still affordable and will stand the test of time. Connecticut women love classic fashion which is why they love Saint James!
Designed with simple materials, light hues, and clear-cut lines, Saint James is entirely devoted to iconic pieces including the fisherman sweater, the Breton striped tee, and the peacoat. Featured as unique, simple objects nearing perfection, Saint James emphasizes its unique local craftsmanship in nautical apparel of more than 120 years. The Saint James classic striped shirts and select favorites from the latest collection are now available at The Trunk Show both in-store and online.
Designed with simple materials, light hues, and clear-cut lines, Saint James is entirely devoted to iconic pieces including the fisherman sweater, the Breton striped tee and the peacoat. Featured as unique, simple objects nearing perfection, Saint James emphasizes its unique local craftsmanship in nautical apparel of more than 120 years. The Saint James classic striped shirts and select favorites from the Fall Collection are now available at The Trunk Show both in-store and online.