Once when I was substituting as a Special Education Instructional Assistant for LAUSD at an elementary school, in my neighborhood, I had to intervene when a male student was ridiculing a female because she wore stripes every day.

Since I’m African-American, and so was this male student, I realized part of this backlash might be cultural so I took a scholarly approach, and told him that I love and wear stripes a lot too, and furthermore as a part part of the fashion industry as a fashion writer I’m joining my co-workers in the field with my devotion.

Predominantly associated with the Waspy preppy look and Ralph Lauren it can still be given an ethnic twist by designers like Stella Jean who often pairs striped button-downs with Brightly patterned skirts.

So whichever road you take to appreciating this timeless print remember to wear it with pride and with your own unique twist.

Definition of stripes: “A long narrow band or strip, typically of the same width throughout its length, different in color or texture from the surface on either side of it.“

Oxford Languages

Summer Stripes Under $50: