Berets will see you through autumn and winter in style and add a touch of continental sophistication or 1950s glamour to any wardrobe. Here is a little history of berets and advice on the best way to wear them. Though most often worn by women, berets are actually a unisex item and will see anyone through the winter months with style and warmth.
What is a Beret?
A beret (pronounced be-ray) is a round flat hat. It can be made from any material but is most often knitted, acrylic, wool or felt. It sits on top of the head and can be pulled down a little but they are rarely large enough to cover the ears. For that reason they keep you warmer than wearing no hat at all but are more about style than warmth. Some have a sweatband and some have a drawstring to ensure that the fit around the head is snug.
The History of the Beret
Berets first became popular in France in the 19th century and were originally worn by shepherds, later on by the military, and then eventually by millions of people across Europe. Versions of the beret have, however, been seen much further back in history - as far back as the Bronze Age. Berets have been worn in a variety of colours which signified the region in which the wearer lived, but the classic felt beret colour is now black.
How to Wear a Beret
Berets fit snugly around your head, so they will usually stay in position. They can be worn in the traditional fashion, slanting to one side, low on the forehead or (a more recent fashion) quite far back on the head. You can also make a subtle nod to the military use of the beret by adding a brooch or badge to the front.
The Beret in Popular Culture
The beret, or variations upon it, is now widespread in popular culture and fashion and can be seen on many female celebrities. It is also iconic in some of its variations. Some celebrities and iconic images include:
- Che Guevara
- Rastafarian knitted/ woven berets (often a lot larger than traditional berets and in red,yellow, green and black stripes)
- Scotch bonnets - similar to a beret, but with clusters of feathers pinned to one spot on the front.
- "Cher" (|Alicia Silverstone) in the movie Clueless
- Fay Wray in King Kong
- Marlene Dietrich
- "Samantha" (Kim Cattrall) in the Sex and the City series
- Faye Dunaway in the movie Bonnie and Clyde
- Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- Brigitte Bardot, both on- and off-screen
How to Make a Beret
Berets can be made either by crocheting, knitting or sewing. Knitting a beret means that you can choose the texture, size and colour, and have a really personal beret. In this article Kristen O'Hara gives a great guide to knitting a beret.
You can also sew a beret by cutting out two identical circles of felt, stitching them together, turning the stitched circle inside out and then adding elastic, a drawstring or a sweatband.
If you do choose to buy a beret instead there are a large number of places where you can find one, ranging from designer stores to cheap online suppliers. Just choose your fabric and colours and search away. Then all you need to do is decide how to wear it!
Dulcinea Norton-Smith - Dulcinea is a writer, an avid reader, a loving wife, a terrible housewife, a mother of two, a Civil Servant and of course a freelance ...
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