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
