I think the love of stripes is more than just a British thing, I think its a European thing, many, many continental Girls Ball games clubs play in stripes, especially the ones from the older countries like Spain, France, Italy etc. The inspiration is obviously heraldic as many of the coloured stripes reflect the city's coat of arms

For example take the Spanish (sorry Catalan) city of Barcelona. Barca's footie club play in the colours seen here on the coat of arms. (that's also the cross of St George on there, who is also the patron saint of Barcelona)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona

Actually I'm wrong here, Barcalona footie strip doesn't reflect their coat of arms, Anyway, leaving aside the Girls Ball games thing I'll stick with the fact that  the love of stripes ain't just a British thing.

P.s Kingstonian you are correct. Juventus did borrowed Notts County's strip and have had rather more success with it..