Beret

The beret is a brimless hat with a tight headband and a soft, flat, round crown. It is traditionally made of a tightly woven wool or wool felt and may be worn in a variety of ways, most notably with the crown drooping to one side.

A favorite topper of intellectuals, artists, poets, jazz and bebop musicians, and the Beatniks, the beret has ancient roots but became more widely worn in 19th century France and Spain, especially by men and in the military. The black beret was once considered the national cap of France.

It became a fashion staple for women in the 20th century, having been worn by movie star Greta Garbo and infamous gangster Bonnie Parker in the 1920s. A raspberry-colored beret was immortalized in a 1985 song by Prince and the beret remains a must-have in many wardrobes today.

Written by TheMerchantsofVintage

See Also: Tam-o’-Shanter

1920s velvet beret

Courtesy of kickshawvintage

1930s banded beret with pheasant trim

Courtesy of pastperfect2

1940s large Casper Davis beret

Courtesy of rue_de_la_paix

1943 Sally Victor wool beret

Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

1940s Dobbs Foldaway Beret

Courtesy of thespectrum

1940s Meadowbrook oversized beret

Courtesy of thespectrum

1940s oversized beret

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1940s pancake beret by Isolbels

Courtesy of The Vintage Merchant

1940s wool plaid beret

Courtesy of The Vintage Merchant

1950s banded beret by Leslie James

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s banded beret

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s beret

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s Dobbs velvet beret with brim hat

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1950s faux leopard beret

Courtesy of stelmadesigns

1950s houndstooth beret

Courtesy of grandmastopdrawer

1950s Lilli Anne banded beret

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s oversized beret

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1950s straw beret

Courtesy of thespectrum

1950s angora fur beret

Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s halo beret by Jack McConnell

Courtesy of myvintageclothesline

1960s Miss Schiaparelli wool tweed beret

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1960s sculptural beret

Courtesy of thespectrum

1960s sequin beret

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s wool Basque beret

Courtesy of carlaandcarla

1960s yellow wool Basque beret

Courtesy of carlaandcarla

1960s Christian Dior bubble beret

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1960s oversized velvet beret

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970 leather large beret

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1970s wool beret

Courtesy of adelinesattic

1980s Kangol Furgora banded beret

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1980s black Kangol beret

Courtesy of pinkyagogo