The Best Stripe; striped tops

I feel like I should be putting together another Christmas shopping post. Since there is only 2 weeks to go until the big day and that means the shopping is getting more frenzied than ever.

Still I am more interested in talking about the endless styling opportunities for the perfect striped top. Think very French, nautical blue and white stripe (or black or red). It can be layered, mix printed or stand on its own in a super preppy way.

I think everyone needs a classic stripe, or 5, whatever. You could totally gift one of these. Then this post would be seasonally appropriate.

Shop the post:

1. MiH Jeans Patchwork Stripe Top

2. Chinti and Parker Contrast-stripe cotton top

3. MHL BY MARGARET HOWELL Striped cotton-jersey top

4. Madewell pencil-stripe pullover

5. DUFFY Striped cashmere sweater

6. J.Crew Sailor tee in engineered stripe

7. J.Crew Painter boatneck tee in stripe

Other great options HERE, HERE & HERE.

For a long time I stayed away from stripes because of all those Rules Stacey & Clinton have. Here’s the thing. To me a classic stripe is almost like a neutral. And if it fits properly it won’t do all those awful things they mention (like make you look wider and the stripes won’t do a wonky dance across “the girls:). Plus if you wear the stripes layered, you get less or little of the “they make you look wider” effect.

Do you wear stripes or do you follow the rules?