18 May Attractive Ideas To Match Beret Hat

You’ve probably heard of the Beret hat. Maybe you even have one of these attractive items in your closet. It’s good to know that this lovely accessory has become an icon of French fashion and is now much more than just a stylish wool hat. In this article, we will tell you what a beret is. And how can it be matched with other clothes in the most beautiful way possible? Stay tuned to the end of this article to learn more.

What is a beret hat?

A Beret hat is a type of round and flat hat that is usually produced by hand. This beautiful accessory, now considered a symbol of French fashion, is made in different styles and is available to enthusiasts. We can mention wool, acrylic, crochet and felt beret hats. Interestingly, this brimless hat is smooth and limp when in your hand. But just when you put it on your head, it takes a beautiful shape.

What is the history of the beret hat?

Many people attribute the history of the invention of the beret to the 17th century AD and shepherds who lived in the Pyrenees mountains on the border of France and Spain. But it’s interesting to know that based on the works of art, paintings and petroglyphs left from ancient times, Italians and Danes wore hats from 3200 to 3600 BC similar to today’s berets.

The people of ancient Greece and Rome also used two types of hats at that time with the names “petasus” (flat sun hat) and pileus (conical hat). Over time, these designs were combined to form a woollen, round, flat hat resembling the current beret. Of course, the size and appearance of these hats were somewhat different from what we know of berets today. However, this cheap, handmade accessory made of felt and wool became the main hat of farmers and shepherds who lived in the mountains and plains of Europe for hundreds of years.

The popularity of beret hat among European artists

In the 14th and 15th centuries AD, the beret was noticed by European artists due to its cheapness and belonging to the peasant and working class. Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer, the most famous Dutch painters at that time, were among the people who liked to use this type of hat. There are self-portraits of these artists that show them with beret hats.

What is the story of the fashion world’s acceptance of the Beret hat?

The fact is that no one knows why the fashion world paid attention to the cap of the European peasant class. But it can be assumed that with the spread of modern urban life, the use of caps, predominantly black, has attracted the attention of fashionable people and has gradually become one of the manifestations of fashion. At the beginning of the 1900s, the black beret hat became one of the fashion symbols, especially for women. Little by little, it got to the point where in the 1920s, the streets of Paris were filled with ordinary men and women and artists, singers, writers and stars who all wore this felt hat. Among these, we can mention the names of well-known figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Edith Piaf and Lauren Bacall.

The beret hat became a symbol of struggle and justice.

In the 1800s and with the beginning of the Spanish civil wars, Tomás de Zumalacárregui took the leadership of the revolutionaries of that country and chose the red beret as the campaign symbol of his party. In this way, this accessory became an integral part of the Carlist fighters’ clothing. Carlist is the name of the group fighting with the Spanish government at the time.

The word beret, originally of French origin, was recorded for the first time in 1835. According to evidence, this word is derived from the Latin word birretum, a term used to describe the flat, woollen hats of the local peasants. Contrary to what was expected in Spain, the French guerrillas chose blue for their berets and made it a symbol of the struggle against tyranny. It’s interesting to know that European peasants still used the black beret and showed their unsettled economic situation then.

What is the place of a beret hat in today’s fashion world?

Beret has played a symbolic role in different decades and has been a sign of outstanding thoughts, political beliefs, national pride and ideological point of view of other people and groups. But in today’s world, this simple, clean and beautiful hat can show your interest in fashion.

What is the method of wearing a beret?

Some people like to place the brim of their beloved beret in the middle of the forehead. At the same time, many others put it right on their hairline. It’s enough to remember the upper edge of this lovely hat on the forehead and bring it down to the rounded end of the skull and the beginning of the hollow of the neck.

What are the different styles of wearing a beret hat?

Classic

In this style, after wearing the beret hat with the method we explained earlier, one of its sides should be slanted downwards, and the cap should be worn to cover half of the forehead obliquely.

Behind

In this method, it’s enough to use the beret hat so that its back edge completely hits the beginning of your neck, and the front edge is right on your hairline.

Smooth

Put the hat on your head and pull the headband down so it’s about one centimetre above the eyebrows from the front and under the ridge of your skull from the back. For your hat to look puffy and beautiful, it’s good to adjust the sides of it over your ears.

What is the method of matching a beret hat?

Forget the stereotypes

To match the beret hat beautifully with other clothes, you must stay away from stereotypes and not worry about combining different fabrics. Choosing different berets with different materials, such as leather, wool or felt, can give different colours and scents to your style. This rule applies equally to men and women.

Try street style

Regardless of your gender, you can pair your favourite beret with jeans, sneakers or a biker jacket for a more modern look.

Pay attention to the combination of colours.

You can pair a colourful beret with items that have complementary colours. For example, depending on their taste, ladies and gentlemen can mix a mustard yellow jacket with a navy blue, azure blue or jade hat and enjoy their attractive style.

Pair your hat with a trench coat.

Mixing a beige trench coat with a red beret can create a classic and utterly French style. 

Try a blazer

Imagine a style that consists of a tartan blazer, a black beret, a black turtleneck blouse, well-tailored trousers and either men’s or women’s derby or oxford shoes. This style is so stylish that it’s hard to ignore.

Wear minimal makeup

It’s good for women to know that wearing a beret draws more attention to their faces. So, if you are a lady and you like to put on makeup, you don’t need to put on an exaggerated expression. Just try minimal makeup with neutral colours or use mascara and your favourite red lipstick to show your face naturally, more lively and attractive.

Facts about the beret that you probably didn’t know

• The use of today’s beret hats should be primarily attributed to the shepherds who lived in the Pyrenees. Over time, they realized that sheep’s body has a favourable temperature in winter and summer despite having thick wool. In this way, they decided to benefit from the benefits of their wool. These people, who didn’t have spinning and weaving machines, gathered the sheep’s wool and trampled it as much as possible on the wet ground. With this method, a dense fabric called felt was produced, which was the primary material of the beret hat.
• Some people believe that the great French artists and painters from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century AD used beret hats to indicate their poverty at the beginning of their careers.
• During World War I, a British general commanding the newly formed Royal Tank Regiment noticed that his soldiers were taking off their helmets when trying to enter and pass through the tank’s small hatch. He cleverly replaced all the berets with large metal hats and thus solved the problem.
• The spread of the beret hat in fashion and women’s fashion should be primarily attributed to Coco Chanel. She, the fashion queen who inspired famous stars like Greta Garbo and Brigitte Bardot, was adept at combining men’s and women’s clothes. Seeing revolutionaries, soldiers and artists wearing berets without hesitation, he added this accessory to his wardrobe and encouraged others to do the same.

To wrap up

In this article, we told you what a Beret hat is. When was it invented? What is its history? And how to match it with other clothes? Do you like this hat and related styles? If you don’t have the opportunity or patience to wash your clothes, you can count on the specialized NeatEx team. With the most advanced tools and the latest knowledge, we will deliver your clothes of the best quality as soon as possible. Don’t damage your valuable clothes with improper washing. NeatEx washes your clothes best and ensures you have clean and tidy clothes.