Men's Beret

From the original Basque beret to the genuine alpine hunter's beret, there's no shortage of choice. It's up to you to find the beret that best covers your head!

The difference between a beret and a cap is simply that a beret is round, while a cap is more elongated with a visor.

Men's beret, a masculine style between tradition and modernity

Military past, symbol of France abroad or cliché for others... the men's beret is an accessory that's always in the news. Repeatedly brought up to date by popular culture, the flat hat has stood the test of time, retaining the characteristics that made it such a huge success. Today, the men's beret comes in a variety of shapes and colors to satisfy all fashion and history enthusiasts. Whether unisex or entirely masculine, the French beret can be worn with both modern and classic styles.

The men's beret: the history of an iconic French headgear

Now associated with French fashion, the men's beret actually has multiple origins. In France, the beret is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, in the ancient province of Béarn. At the time, the woolen beret was worn by the poorer classes, such as farmers and shepherds. It provided protection from the sun, rain and cold. At the same time, the men's beret has linked its history to that of French soldiers.

Indeed, the beret became an essential part of a soldier's outfit as early as the 16ᵉ century. Paratroopers, legionnaires, aviators... many army corps have had the opportunity to wear the beret with a very specific color distinguishing them since that time. However, it is the chasseurs alpins who are most often associated with the beret, since one model still bears the name of this mountain troop. Airmen usually wear caps.

Aside from its military past, the men's beret has also penetrated the artistic sphere. Several famous painters, including Monet, Cézanne and Picasso, covered their heads with men's berets. Over the centuries, poets, singers and film actors have also worn them. From shepherd's hats to chic fashion items, men's berets have never ceased to reinvent themselves to meet the demands of each era.

Why wear a man's beret?

Timeless, the beret immediately brings elegance to a man or a woman. To accompany a three-piece suit or an everyday ensemble, the beret is an accessory as practical as it is charming, generally available at excellent value for money.

French style: the beret

First and foremost, adding a men's beret to your outfit will enable you to stand out from the crowd by choosing an assertive, out-of-the-ordinary style. Whatever your everyday style, a man's beret is an item that will add an elegant French touch to your current look.

By opting for a color that matches your personality and personal preferences (black, brown, red, etc.), the beret can accompany you throughout the winter season and beyond. Whether in the country or the city, the beret is one of those accessories that can be worn for any occasion with elegance.

If you're particularly fond of the vintage style favored by the Shelby family in the Peaky Blinders series, then you should opt for a gray cap beret to echo the famous Irish cap worn by these famous fictional gangsters. To maximize urban elegance, wear a suit jacket and shirt to bring out the chic of the men's beret.

If you prefer a more casual look, a beret goes perfectly with jeans and a simple t-shirt. Pair it with a marinière and you'll be able to play with the clichés of French elegance: a must-have (as long as you leave the baguette aside)! The beret appeals to all generations.

Winter comfort

The traditional men's felt beret is much more than a fashion accessory. It's also a response to the needs you may encounter during autumn and winter. With the arrival of cold weather and the first sub-zero temperatures, the lined beret will help you cope with these difficult conditions. They are generally made from merino wool.

Known for being both soft and warm, merino wool will keep your head warm, without making you sweat. Thermoregulating and antibacterial, merino wool is particularly suited to those who fear the rough, itchy fibers usually found in ordinary sheep's wool.

Originally, the beret was also used to cover the shepherd from the sun's rays and inclement weather. Today, there's nothing to stop you wearing a man's beret for the same reasons. But be sure to check that the felted wool fibers are strong and tight enough to protect you from the cold wind and rain.

Which style of men's beret is best for everyday wear?

Now that you know a little more about the history of the men's beret, we can take a closer look at the different styles of men's berets available from Traclet. Basque beret, cap beret, military beret... we'll help you find the one that best suits your needs with this brief overview!

The Basque beret for men

Mistakenly nicknamed the “Basque beret”, the felt beret actually originated in Béarn, not the Basque country. Today, the Basque beret designates a traditional model of beret distinguished by the following features: a cabillou on the top of the hat (the little tail on the beret), a “galette” shape and the use of thick felt. At Traclet, the Basque beret is designed by some of France's leading beret makers, such as Elosegui and Laulhère (“Héritage” collection).

The men's cap beret

Less traditional than the Basque beret, the cap beret perfectly blends the shape of a classic beret with that of a cap. Opt for one and you'll be able to wear it dandy-style, or opt for a more casual look for everyday wear. This particular model of men's beret features a short, flat peak that adds a definitively original touch to the beret. To enhance the originality of your look, don't hesitate to opt for a patchwork or check design.

The alpine hunter beret for men

To suit alpine hunters, the beret must provide sufficient warmth to cope with the cold temperatures found at altitude. Also known as “tarte” or “crêpe”, the alpine hunter's beret features a relatively large diameter (around 30 cm), a woolen knit and a high level of waterproofing. In keeping with tradition, mountain units always wear it tilted to the left, but there are no rules for civilians.

The men's military beret

This name covers a wide range of berets: legionnaire beret, commando beret, parachutist beret and many more. In the broadest sense, the military beret is characterized by a higher-than-average shape. So as not to obstruct the vision of the professional on a mission, the men's military beret doesn't sit on top of the head like a traditional Basque beret. The colors chosen also respect certain strict codes: green for the Foreign Legion, red for the French paratrooper and so on.

How to choose the right men's beret?

To choose the beret that's right for you from our wide selection of products at the best prices, there are a number of criteria to consider: the shape and style of the men's beret, the materials used in its design, the original brand and the size of the beret. Here are some of the most important criteria!

1. Shape and style of men's beret

To begin with, it' s essential to choose a style of men's beret that appeals to you. Do you prefer berets that are worn “flat” or rather high on the head? Would you like a color that stands out or goes with any style of dress? Before making up your mind, it's essential to identify your personal preferences. In case of hesitation, the easiest thing to do is to opt for a traditional Basque model, as well as a neutral color like black or dark blue. Easy to wear, these men's berets will suit any look!

2. Materials

Once you've decided which style of men's beret to choose, it's time to take a look at the materials used to make them. At Traclet, you'll find merino wool, cashmere, cotton, leather, felt, linen, virgin wool and fabric.

The choice of material depends on the environment in which you want to wear your men's beret (winter or summer, wet or dry, etc.) and your expectations (softness, thickness, etc.). A cotton-only beret, for example, will be less warm than a wool model. If you're looking for a beret to wear all summer long, you'll want to choose a cotton beret.

3. The brands

To satisfy all our customers, Chapellerie Traclet manufactures its own berets to offer you the best value for money on the market. At the same time, our catalog also includes the leading manufacturers of men's berets, with brands such as :

• Elosegui: this internationally-renowned reference has been imagining and designing all its berets in the Spanish Basque Country since 1858. With its unique know-how, the brand has preserved all the authenticity and quality of its first berets over the years.
• Kopka: this German brand has been making luxury hats since the 1950s. It uses only the finest materials, such as merino wool, cotton and 100% cashmere.
• Fléchet: born in Chazelles in 1859, this French brand of felt hats renewed its product ranges in 2020, focusing more on retro-chic style.
• Kangol: this British clothing and accessories brand is best known for its military headwear. However, the brand's berets have become popular with the general public through popular culture (cinema, jazz, hip-hop, etc.).
• Laulhère: since 1840, this historic company has been offering and manufacturing berets for men and women direct from southwest France. Laulhère combines French craftsmanship with industrial design, earning it the prestigious EPV label.

Men's beret in tweed, velvet cap beret, Basque beret in wool or cotton... whatever style of beret you choose, Chapellerie Traclet always offers free delivery from 90 euros purchase on the site. Don't wait any longer to enjoy your favorite beret - it'll be delivered to your door in less than 72 hours!