Saint James Sweater
“Hotchkiss and Yale man Gerald Murphy—artist, F. Scott Fitzgerald muse, and heir to Mark Cross—first discovered the jaunty appeal of the striped sailor top. Summering in Cap d’Antibes in 1923, he wore his Marseilles market find so well that soon such fellow beachcombers as Pablo Picasso and Coco Chanel were sporting them, too. Then came devoted Americaphile the Duke of Windsor, who wore his even during his brief reign as king of England while yachting with soon-to-be-twice-divorced girlfriend Wallis in 1937. After World War Two, the striped top went through its rebellious phase, worn by the likes of Jean Seberg, Andy Warhol, and Joan Baez before settling down as favored prep unisex garment during the 1970s. Its next incarnation, embodying fashion with a capital F, came courtesy of Jean Paul Gualtier. With its navy-on-cream stripes, the iconic Breton fisherman’s sweater is as significant a part of the French clothing vocabulary as the beret.”
—Caroline Rennolds Milbank, True Prep
Saint James has been spinning some of the world’s finest knits out of their Normandy, France based factory since 1889, but they are best known for their authentic Breton stripe sweaters. Though they are offered in wool (best suited for the fall/winter), opt for cotton come summer; they are more akin to heavy weight knit tees and are perfect layered or alone.
left a comment on 6/3/2011 at 8:52 AM:
So Fla weather, this time of year, would make it impossible to wear a summer sweater. So… is there an alternative, F.E.C.?
left a comment on 6/3/2011 at 5:36 AM:
One more piece to add to my list of “things to buy for my wife”. Awesome pic by the way.
left a comment on 6/3/2011 at 12:17 AM:
A. The sweater is perfect. B. This shot might be my favorite I’ve seen on this site. I love it.
left a comment on 6/2/2011 at 11:47 PM:
Nice touch with the Randolph Engineering aviators. It looks great on girls, I wish more would wear them.
left a comment on 6/2/2011 at 2:52 PM:
I own this sweater and it is great! Pretty girl, pretty beach, it all seems pretty perfect to me.
Rodellee left a comment on 7/26/2011 at 9:31 AM:
Love this sweater, love the stripes. Classic, everyone should have one.