Saint James — Meridien Moderne
The striped Breton shirt is one of those rare garments that is both instantly recognizable and endlessly adaptable. Saint James has been producing its own in Normandy for more than a century, and the Meridien Moderne represents a refined interpretation of the classic: the same presence and the same lineage, with a fit suited to contemporary proportions.
Saint James traces its roots to 1889 in the village of Saint-James in Normandy, where a spinning mill produced wool for fishermen working the cold waters of the North Atlantic. By the late nineteenth century, the striped shirt had been adopted by the French Navy. Over time, the Breton shirt moved from the docks into everyday life. Worn by Picasso and Bardot, by city dwellers and seaside vacationers, and by those who favor clothing with real history.
It is cut from Saint James’s signature carded cotton jersey, a fabric with a firm, dry hand at first touch. Carded cotton is created by brushing the fibers lightly before spinning. This preserves more of the cotton’s natural character and structure. It is breathable and substantial. While it shrinks a bit after the first wash, the shirt holds its shape through years of wear and gradually softens to the body.
The stripes remain rooted in their original purpose. They began as a functional graphic meant to help locate sailors who fell overboard. That utility evolved into cultural symbolism that became a uniform for artists, travelers, and creatives.
The Saint James Meridien Moderne Breton shirt is available in-store at Nepenthes New York, Nepenthes Los Angeles, Nepenthes Woman Los Angeles, and online at nepenthesamerica.com.
