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 women's Breton shirts follow the same size chart, whether you choose La Marinière 1858 knitted in Troyes or the Marinière Originale made in Portugal.
Garment measured flat, and the bust it fits.
| Our size | Garment | Your bust |
|---|---|---|
| XS / 0 | 80 cm | 74-78 cm |
| S / 1 | 84 cm | 78-82 cm |
| M / 2 | 90 cm | 83-88 cm |
| L / 3 | 96 cm | 89-94 cm |
| XL / 4 | 104 cm | 95-102 cm |
| XXL / 5 | 112 cm | 103-110 cm |
| XXXL / 6 | 120 cm | 111-118 cm |
All measurements in centimetres. Our labels carry a letter and a number: both 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 bust and that figure. Letter sizes vary from one brand to the next, so go by your bust measurement first.
Between two sizes? Take the larger one, for the relaxed fit of a traditional Breton shirt.
And if it is not right, size exchanges are free within 30 days.
Two methods, whichever is easier for you.
Measure in your underwear or over a thin layer, preferably at the end of the day rather than first thing in the morning. A Breton shirt has a boat neck, so the bust measurement is what determines the size.
If you have no tape measure, take a top that fits you well, lay it flat and measure its 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 women's and men's Breton shirts come from the same pattern. Only the name of the size changes, shifted by one notch: a women's M is a men's S. If you are hesitating between the two, go by the number rather than the letter.
| Number | Women's size | Men's size |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | XS | none |
| 1 | S | XS |
| 2 | M | S |
| 3 | L | M |
| 4 | XL | L |
| 5 | XXL | XL |
| 6 | XXXL | XXL |
Size 0 is our smallest size, and it exists in women's only.
Looking for the men's chart? See the men'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 where they are made. 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 g/m² in long sleeve. To understand how the two cottons feel different, read our article on carded versus combed cotton.
Everything customers ask us before ordering.
Take your usual size. If in doubt, measure your bust and read it off the chart: a 86 cm bust is a size M, that is size 2. Between two sizes, take the larger one.
Our S, marked 1, is a French 34. The M, marked 2, is a 36. The L, marked 3, is a 38 or 40. The XL, marked 4, is a 42 or 44. The XXL, marked 5, is a 46 or 48, and the XXXL, marked 6, is a 50. When in doubt, go by your bust measurement rather than the letter.
Our S, marked 1, is a UK 6 or US 2. The M, marked 2, is a UK 8 or US 4. The L, marked 3, is a UK 10-12 or US 6-8. The XL, marked 4, is a UK 14-16 or US 10-12. These conversions vary between brands, so the bust column remains the reliable one.
A women's M, also marked 2, fits a bust of 83 to 88 cm. The garment measures 90 cm flat.
A women's S, marked 1, fits a bust of 78 to 82 cm, for a garment measuring 84 cm flat.
Because our Breton shirts are unisex: the same garment carries one letter in women's and the letter below in men's. In practice, take your usual size, and if you are unsure, use the French size column or your bust measurement.
Yes, it is the same garment. Simply go by the number: a size 2 is a women's M and a men's S. Many customers deliberately take one size up for a looser fit.
No, provided you wash at 30 degrees and dry flat. The first wash is the one that matters: our first wash guide explains what to do, and our complete care guide covers the rest.
Size exchanges are entirely free within 30 days. We send you a prepaid return label and the new size ships as soon as your parcel arrives. You can order without risk.
Got your size?
Shop women'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. Teresa is 1.65 m tall and wears an S. 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 women, Marine colourway, plays on contrast: white stripes on deep navy, in a feminine cut that shapes the silhouette. Chic sailor style, from the office to the weekend.
Knitted in soft, dense combed cotton, it holds its shape wash after wash. Made in Portugal.
Brand: Gauvain. XS/0: 7506622800248 · S/1: 7506622800255 · M/2: 7506622800262 · L/3: 7506622800279 · XL/4: 7506622800286 · XXL/5: 7506622800293 · XXXL/6: 7506622800989
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