La marinière is, first and foremost, sailors’ workwear. As early as the 17th century, Dutch and English paintings depict seamen dressed in stripes—blue and white, or red and white. In France, up until the Second Empire (1852–1870), uniform regulations applied only to officers, so ordinary sailors boarded ships of the French Navy (Marine nationale) wearing their own clothing. In 1858, however, a decree introduced the blue-and-white striped knit top as part of the official uniform for petty officers and sailors. It took the name marinière, in reference to the sailor.
The decree also set precise manufacturing rules: 21 white stripes, 20 mm wide, and 20 or 21 indigo-blue stripes, 10 mm wide, across the chest and back; plus 15 white stripes and 14 or 15 blue stripes on the sleeves. 20 or 21, 14 or 15… this isn’t an approximation: the number of stripes actually depends on where the garment is cut on the knit.
Sleeves and fit also matter. The sleeves must be 3/4 length so they don’t extend beyond the sailor’s jacket. The knit itself must be long enough (down to the upper thigh) to be tucked into the traditional flap-front sailor trousers, helping to cover and protect intimate areas—at a time when sailors did not wear underwear. Finally, the marinière fits close to the body for practical reasons: with no seams (except on the sleeves) and no buttons, the risk of snagging on ropes and hindering manoeuvres is reduced.
For more freedom of movement, we recommend choosing one size up.
- Knit: 100% cotton, slub jersey, 290 g
- Soft, lightweight, and durable
- Rolled edges at the 3/4 sleeves and collar; clean, sharp finish; simple detailing
- Made in France
- Knitted in Dordogne
- Care instructions:
• Max. 30°C
• Do not tumble dry
Long-sleeved T-shirt
FDB-TSLS-MARI-200
