The yarn runs through the knit: the stripe is as crisp inside as outside, and does not fade in the wash.

Gauvain Paris
All our men's Breton shirts follow the same size chart, whether you choose La Marinière 1858 knitted in Troyes or the Marinière Originale made in Portugal.
The garment measured flat, and the chest it fits. In centimetres.
| Our size | Garment | Your chest |
|---|---|---|
| XS / 1 | 84 cm | 78-82 cm |
| S / 2 | 90 cm | 83-88 cm |
| M / 3 | 96 cm | 89-94 cm |
| L / 4 | 104 cm | 95-102 cm |
| XL / 5 | 112 cm | 103-110 cm |
| XXL / 6 | 120 cm | 111-118 cm |
Our labels carry both a letter and a number. They mean the same size.
The garment figure is the shirt laid flat, measured from one armhole seam to the other and multiplied by two. Allow about 2 cm of ease between your chest measurement and that figure.
Between two sizes? Take the larger one, for the roomier fit of a traditional Breton shirt.
And if it does not fit, size exchange is free within 30 days.
Two methods. Pick whichever is easier for you.
Measure in underwear or over a thin garment, preferably at the end of the day rather than first thing in the morning.
If you do not have a soft tape measure, take a top that fits you well, lay it flat and measure its chest width from one armhole seam to the other. Multiply by two, then compare with the garment column: it is exactly the same measurement.
Our measurements are taken by hand: allow a 2 to 3 cm tolerance.
The same garment, two names.
Our men's and women's Breton shirts come from the same pattern. Only the size name changes, shifted by one notch. If you are hesitating between the two cuts, go by the number rather than the letter.
| Number | Men's size | Women's size |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | none | XS |
| 1 | XS | S |
| 2 | S | M |
| 3 | M | L |
| 4 | L | XL |
| 5 | XL | XXL |
| 6 | XXL | XXXL |
Size 0 exists in women's only: it is the smallest of the range.
Looking for the women's chart? See our women's size guide.
The size does not change. The fabric does.
Both models follow the same measurements. What sets them apart is the fabric and the origin. La Marinière 1858 is knitted in carded cotton in Troyes, under the France Terre Textile label. The Marinière Originale is made in combed cotton in Portugal. Both weigh 220 gsm in long sleeve. To understand how the two cottons feel, read our article on carded versus combed cotton.
Everything customers ask before ordering.
Measure your chest and read across the chart. A 92 cm chest is a size M, also written 3. Between two sizes, take the larger one.
Your chest, converted: XS (1) 31 to 32 in, S (2) 33 to 35 in, M (3) 35 to 37 in, L (4) 37 to 40 in, XL (5) 41 to 43 in, XXL (6) 44 to 46 in. Letter sizes differ from one brand to the next, so measure your chest and use these figures rather than the letter you usually buy.
A men's M, also written 3, fits a chest of 89 to 94 cm. The garment itself measures 96 cm laid flat.
A men's XL, written 5, fits a chest of 103 to 110 cm, for a garment measurement of 112 cm. Above it, the XXL, written 6, goes up to a 118 cm chest.
It runs true to size. Our chart follows the traditional French Breton shirt sizing, with a regular cut, neither fitted nor loose, and a boat neck. If you like your tops close to the body, stay with your usual size. If you prefer a more relaxed drape, take the size above.
No, as long as you wash at 30 degrees and dry flat. The first wash is decisive: our first wash guide sets out the steps, and our complete care guide covers the rest.
The sizes are identical, so the choice comes down to fabric and origin. Our guide to choosing your Breton shirt compares both models in detail.
Size exchange is entirely free within 30 days. We send you a prepaid return label and your new size ships as soon as we receive the parcel. You can order with no risk.
Got your size?
Shop men's Breton shirtsSame cut, same boat neck, two workshops. The Originale is our Portuguese-made model; the 1858 is our Made in France model, knitted in Troyes.

Combed cotton, softer
Made in Portugal
Same cut, same neckline

Carded cotton, denser
Knitted and sewn in Troyes
France Terre Textile label
In detail
The yarn runs through the knit: the stripe is as crisp inside as outside, and does not fade in the wash.
Thicker than a standard T-shirt (160 gsm), and softer to the touch than the carded cotton of the 1858.
Cut and sewn in a family-run workshop in Portugal, specialising in striped jersey, which we have worked with since our beginnings.
Craftsmanship
On 27 March 1858, the French Navy made the Breton shirt its sailors’ uniform: 21 stripes, boat neck, thick cotton.
The Originale takes up that cut and those stripes in a softer combed cotton, made in a workshop in Portugal.
History and making
The fit is regular. Take your usual size; if you are between two sizes, take the larger one. Mathias is 1.77 m tall and wears an M. The size guide gives all flat measurements.
Not if you wash it at 30 °C and dry it flat. Avoid the tumble dryer, which can tighten the knit. The care guide explains each step.
Same cut and same boat neck. The Originale is made in Portugal in combed cotton, softer to the touch. The 1858 is knitted and sewn in Troyes in denser carded cotton, under the France Terre Textile label.
The Marinière Originale for men is the quintessential nautical staple, to wear all year round. In the Marine colourway, white stripes stand out against a deep navy ground, in a regular cut that's easy to pair, from jeans to dress trousers.
Knitted in soft, dense combed cotton, it offers a clean drape and everyday comfort. Made in Portugal in a workshop well versed in striped jersey.
Select a size