For all the advantages of solid colors — they’re simple, easy to pull off and will never go out of style — the risk of patterns is often worth the reward. Take stripes. They’re tricky, but when done right they say a lot more than a plain navy getup ever will. Stripes have prevailed because they’re distinctive: Breton stripes are still in style today; the stars and stripes are as prevalent in tacky air-brushed tees as they were in the ’80s; and even zebra stripes stampeded across Snuggies and leggings a few years back. Not that they have to be loud. Stripes are also endlessly versatile, effective as a primary element or a subtle accent, on clothing, furniture, knives and just about everything else. These, our favorite striped products, fall from prison-garb cartoonish to vintage-style chic and everywhere in between.
Our Picks:
M.Nii San O Stripe Shirt ($190)
Adidas Adilette Slides ($30)
Red Stripe Beer ($10+)
Striped Linen Pillow ($75+)
L.L. Bean Textured Cotton Towels ($25)
Stripes ($10+)
Gallant & Jones Deck Chair: ($299)
Ateliers Ruby St Augustin Helmet ($968)
Orcival Heavy Cotton Sailor Striped Shirt ($102)
Pendelton USA Glacier National Park Travel Mug ($30)
Santa Fe Stoneworks Woolly Mammoth Tooth Knife ($80+)