Hero the Harbour

The Breton top was first introduced in 1858 as uniform for seafarers in Brittany. It gained popularity with French sailors and workers in the 1890s and was introduced to a whole new audience in 1917 when Coco Chanel designed a version.  In the 50s and 60s it was favoured by artists and film stars with Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Pablo Picasso, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Andy Warhol all showing their stripes.  Our first Breton-style top hit the stores in 2003; it remains one of our best-loved items with customers and staff alike.  Here’s how we wear the Harbour.

“I like English eccentricity and collect textiles from across the world, so at the moment my staple look is my Navajo style boots mixed with a tweed jacket. I still wear clothes I bought six years ago as I try to buy classic garments in good quality fabrics. I have so many Harbour tops, I wear one almost daily because they are so easy to wear with jeans, they go with most shoes and jumpers and you can layer them up with chambray shirts underneath. I have a lot of patterned jackets and shoes so the Harbour is a good match for them. I have always worn this particular green colour, it’s so fresh and timeless!”

Kristina, Print Designer

“My style is very minimal. I buy key product that I can style in different ways. I like my Harbour because it is easy to wear, you can dress it up or down, whether it is simply with white jeans or tucked in an A-line skirt. I chose this harbour, because it is fun, with pops of neon, it is something different you don’t always see.”

Lauren, Marketing Team

“My style is very easy, I like to layer my Harbour with a classic white shirt and then dress up with a necklace. This yellow one also adds a pop of colour too. I like the Harbour because it’s easy to wear and really comfy for days in the office.  It also looks great dressed up with accessories when I’m out visiting stores. I love the classic navy of my Harbour and am I sucker for some red lippy so can’t go wrong with this classic look!”

Jo, Retail Team

“I like to keep up with trends of the season, which I interpret into clean shapes with a casual edge. I like simple, quality pieces that can be dressed up and accessorised, but still look effortless.’ The Harbour is such a versatile piece, both for casual wear but can easily be dressed up by changing into black jeans, heels and nice jewellery. The range of colours gives real choice and can add a pop of colour to a plain outfit. The possibilities are endless. The navy and white stripe that I chose is a real classic and will look good now and in 5 years time. The simplicity of it means you can wear a great statement necklace, earrings or lip colour and still make it look really easy and effortless.”

Lauren, Womenswear Designer

“I spend a lot of my time outdoors in the countryside devoting my time to my dogs and horses. Therefore my style would be practical, easy wearing with a look that can just be thrown on, fresh and unique but without effort.The Harbour can be dressed up or down and needs little maintenance. After all who has time to iron when we could be having fun? I love the Hotch Potch; it uses colours and stripes in different directions, which is very slimming and a quirky take on the classic Harbour.”

Yo Yo, Photography Team

“My style tends to be inspired by relaxed boyfriend fits teamed with bright accessories and a pair of heels or converse if I’m having a ‘day off’. This season I’m loving my baggy jeans, an oversized tee or lightweight sweat and heels. I’ve always loved the Harbour since we launched it many seasons ago. The fabric is amazingly wearable and reminds me of old workwear garments which I love. It’s also a great weight so you can team it with a chambray shirt on cooler days. My favorite this season is the Neon Colour Block. Its nice to add a new take on stripes to my wardrobe as currently 70% of my clothing is striped…eek!”

Dominie, Brand Team