That same Breton stripe Coco Chanel brought back to land with her nautical 1917 collection—after spotting the uniform on sailors along the French coast—hasn’t lost its sweeping seaside allure. This season, designers of every stripe—from Tommy Hilfiger to Dolce & Gabbana—are sailing us away with colour-block paneling and pinstripe details threaded throughout their Spring/Summer 2013 collections. We break down our favourite nautical looks from the runways and four ways earn your stripes this spring with our fashion trend lesson for land and sea.


Stripes fashion trend lesson: The blouse

Spring 2013 runway trend inspiration: The candy stripe button-up at Vivienne Westwood Red Label; Hawaiian-ready coral and sea blue striped shirts at Paul & Joe.

How to wear it: The perfect nautical companion for your seaside escape, the light, striped cotton blouse can be worn with denim cutoffs and boat shoes by day, and structured white carrot pants with a strappy sandal by night.


Where to wear it:
Buttoned-up and pressed for a collegiate prep look at the office (for a bold pairing in ultimate lightweight mobility—and who are we kidding, comfort—add a matching bottom, like the loose-fitting stripped pajama suit at Sportmax). Then take it outside.


Stripes earned:
One thickly printed navy stripe, sailor.


SPRING FASHION: How to wear the latest spring RUNWAY trends

Stripes fashion trend lesson: The swimsuit

Spring 2013 runway trend inspiration: A strategically cut horizontal striped suit at Michael Kors; a red, white and blue pinstripe one-piece at Tommy Hilfiger.


How to wear it:
With a knitted, nautically Americana stripped kimono worn over your Hilfiger suit for a runway-ready look (and because it’s not exactly summer out yet). Cap off the relaxed look with an oversized straw hat.


Where to wear it:
Pick a place—as long as it’s warmer than where you are right now—and
ride out the remaining wintry weeks at an exotic locale. Be sure to pack your seaside-inspired (and striped) Chloé bag along.


Stripes earned:
Totally—from every angle. Have you done this before?


Mod fashion trend: Top 10 Spring 2013 looks

Read on for more ways to earn your stripes in Spring 2013…
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Stripes fashion trend lesson: The dress


Spring 2013 runway trend inspiration:
Sleeveless mirror-paneled cocktail dress in this year’s
emerald green it-colour at Jonathan Saunders; asymmetrical milk maid-inspired sundress at Dolce & Gabbana.

How to wear it: Saunders’ sultry scooped-neck number suits the après-hours setting with a pair of knockout heels and (why not?) a
flouncy blow out. Wear with a cropped leather jacket for added badass effect.


Where to wear it:
Stripes are not only empowering, they’re character building. Go all out in a whimsical picnic-perfect striped sundress at the dawn of spring weather with espadrilles and a basket of home-baked cookies.

Stripes earned: Of the naughty and nice variety. Well played.


TREND REPORT: How to WEAR the hottest Spring 2013 fashion trends

Stripes fashion trend lesson: The mixed stripes

Spring 2013 runway trend inspiration: A striped-and-star-spangled strapless dress at Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti; white and chartreuse and striped all over ensemble at Acne.


How to wear it:
Confidently. Seriously—when stripes are rolling off of you from every angle, there’s no second-guessing the
defied rules of structure and optical illusion. Add a colour-blocked bag and pointy toe heel and call it a day.


Where to wear it:
The non-negotiable takeaway truths about this look? Light, bright stripes work for breezy, outdoor days on the patio or at the office. Look-at-me bold patterns mixed with figure-hugging silhouettes are best for any place with the bonus illumination of bright lights.


Stripes earned:
None—with a nautical look this innate, we’re pretty sure you were born at sea.

Read more:
Fashion essentials: 10 pretty spring dresses
Resort fashion 2013: 10 looks for a stylish getaway
Spring fashion trend lesson: 4 ways to wear the mod look
Top 10 Spring 2013 runway fashion trends