Queen Victoria Influenced Stripes in the U.K.
The O.G British royal - fashion influencer brought nautical chic to the British upper classes
The summer of the fashion and the Mediterranean beach club collab is upon us and no color combination elicits Positano and Riviera Chic like yellow and white stripes. The color combination seems to be everywhere, from Jacquemus's first-ever North America pop-up at the Four Seasons, Ocean Club Bahamas resort, Taylor Swift’s Montce bikini top ($143) and bottom ($94) in the brand’s Canary Stripe colorway also worn in the Bahamas with one Mr.Kelce to those outdoor chaise lounge’s at Soho House Mexico.
The Jacquemus boutique at the Four Seasons' Ocean Club Bahamas. COURTESY OF THE FOUR SEASONS
And while Brigitte Bardot sashaying through Saint Tropez in the 50s put beach club culture on the map, the British believe that Queen Victoria put stripes there. Let’s examine the sartorial evidence.
Gabrielle Chanel
Courtesy Of Chanel
Coco Chanel may have popularized the sailor stripe, after debuting a sailor-themed collection in 1917. Still, the Royal Museum in Greenwich attributes the rise of nautical fashion and stripes to Queen Victoria. In 1846, the queen had a sailor suit made for her son, Edward Albert, Prince of Wales, to be worn on the royal yacht as a surprise for her husband. Prince Albert loved the costume so much that he had a portrait of the boy commissioned in it. Naturally, it didn’t take long for the sailor chic look to take hold amongst upper-class Brits.
Heritage Images//Getty Images
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