On the Hunt for an Affordable Breton/Sailor Sweater

[OrangeCrush]

Hi there!

For a while now, I've been on the hunt for a breton sweater, also called a nautical or sailor's sweater, at least here in the states. However, I'm a student who only puts in <20 hours a week at $8.50/hr, and as such, I can only purchase clothes infrequently, and can't spend much. However, something I've been wanting for a very long time is one of these sweaters; white or cream, black or navy stripes starting around the armpit, boatneck. There are a lot of great examples of these but, unfortunately, they're usually quite expensive, often going for more than a hundred bucks. I'm hoping to spend less than sixty-five dollars.

So, anyone have any leads for me? Cotton is (obviously, based on my price) the preferred material. I will accept poly/cotton blends; beggars can't be choosers. My only lead so far is H&M, which per either GQ or Esquire (I think GQ), is supposed to have one in their spring line. However, the city I'm in doesn't have an H&M, and I won't be getting to a city that has one for perhaps more than two months.

Thanks in advance for you help!

 

[acecow]

I could proxy you a sweater from H&amp;M for the cost of shipping, if you wish. I go there once a month or so.

 

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by acecow

I could proxy you a sweater from H&M for the cost of shipping, if you wish. I go there once a month or so.

Do you know if they're stocking it right now?
This would certainly be a viable option, especially if nobody turns up anything else.

 

[Ianiceman]

These are all over J Crew and American Apparel.

I found a couple of genuine made in Brittany ones a couple of years ago on the Internet (sorry I can't remember the site, google is your friend) but the boat neck didn't flatter my giraffe like proportions so I binned them and ended up getting a short and a long sleeved plain cotton round necked t shirt in off white with navy hoops from LL bean I think.

 

[Fred H.]

St. James.

www.saintjamesboutique.com/

Not cheap, but authentic.

 

[ManofKent]

Originally Posted by Fred H.

St. James.

www.saintjamesboutique.com/

Not cheap, but authentic.

+1 good quality too

A cheaper, reasonably similar alternative would be a Russian Sailors top - you get NOS ones on ebay all the time, search for telnyashka ...

 

[PDXGeo]

Found a russian made military one at our local surplus store for $24. They also had a heavier version for $30 or so that was quite nice, almost sweatshirt thickness.

Best of luck, I am looking for a St James in small if anyone has one...

 

[OrangeCrush]

They are all over the place, but I'm very picky about the appearance!
I want stripes that start around the armpit, and I want it in white or cream with navy or blue stripes. I've seen them in other color combos (such as the reverse what I want, blue with white stripes).

I would love a St James sweater but, thats more than two weeks pay, and thats if I don't eat.