When you think of striped shirts—especially the classic striped tee—a whole spectrum of associations comes to mind. There’s the timeless Breton, once a French naval uniform, later immortalized by icons like Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn, and now a staple of preppy wardrobes from Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard. On the other end, oversized striped shirts in playful color palettes skew more youthful, evoking a carefree, playground feel. Designers like Miuccia Prada have leaned into that spirit, experimenting with striped tube tops layered over clashing tees and polos for extra texture and whimsy. That’s the beauty of stripes: simple in concept, yet endlessly versatile. Today, fashion is embracing that versatility more than ever, transforming striped shirts into some of the most covetable tops of the moment.