Striped Dresses – Stripes Never Go Out of Style
A striped dress is a timeless, stylish piece that will be a staple in your wardrobe for many years to come. Striped dresses evoke associations with summer and sailing, and depending on the character of the stripes, they can be perceived as anything from cheerful to sophisticated, from nautical to punk, and everything in between. Few patterns are as versatile and interesting as the striped look!
As mentioned, striped patterns can have a variety of meanings – it all depends on the context. In the Middle Ages, stripes had a derogatory connotation, and society’s outcasts had to wear striped clothing to distinguish themselves from ordinary citizens. In later times, striped sailor shirts were associated with sailors, who occupied the lowest ranks in the navy. Over time, however, the stripes’ negative reputation was reclaimed by artists and rebels and became, if not fashionable, at least cool. They served as a form of protest against society.
But the story of stripes doesn’t end with their mere existence: their width is inversely proportional to the degree of status. Narrow stripes are considered more sophisticated, like a businessman’s suit, while wide stripes are seen as more vulgar. Eventually, the sailor shirt entered higher fashion circles thanks to the famous French designer Jean Paul Gaultier, and it was also embraced by iconic artists like Picasso and Andy Warhol. Gaultier debuted in the 1970s and was known for challenging conventions – introducing dresses for men and sailor shirts for women. Once again, a testament to the historically controversial nature of stripes.
Today, stripes have a more neutral meaning in fashion, and a striped dress can make a statement on its own, while a pair of matching shoes from our footwear collection serves as the perfect finishing touch. Among our most popular brands is Chiara Forthi, which aligns with the striped pattern’s history as a bold brand with attitude, perfect for those unafraid to express their outgoing and captivating personality. To truly create your own style, pair your striped dress with suitable accessories, or perhaps a
solid-colored cardigan to break up the pattern.
If you want to find
striped dresses on sale, we recommend checking our sale pages. Give your wardrobe a fresh boost with a striped dress from Bubbleroom!
