What is the origin of the beret?

The beret is a round and flat headwear that is worn pushed down on the forehead or tilted to the side. It's a timeless fashion accessory that adds a touch of elegance and whimsy to your outfit. But what is the origin of the beret, and how does it vary across different regions and armies of the world? Here's an article that will shed light on the history, types, and uses of the beret.

The history of the beret between tradition and French symbol

The origin of the beret is not clearly established, but it seems to have originated in the Basque Country, between France and Spain, where shepherds adopted it for its practicality. Its lightness, water resistance, and ability to stay on the head in strong winds were essential for those working outdoors. The term "beret" comes from the Béarnais word "berret," meaning "cap," which derives from the Latin "birretum," referring to a type of hooded cloak. The beret was first documented in French in 1835 as the flat, brimless wool headwear worn by peasants in Béarn. The Béarn region claims paternity of the beret as local expertise and a way of life. The knitting, fulling, and felting techniques are part of Béarnais heritage and ensure the beret's waterproofness.

Each beret has its regional or identity customs and traditions

The beret is not just a practical accessory, it is also a symbol of regional or cultural identity. Its shape, color, and way of wearing vary by region and community. For example, the Basque beret, which is the most well-known, is black or red in color and worn on the right side. It is worn during festivals and events, expressing a sense of belonging to the Basque people. The Alpine beret, which is wider and more flexible, is dark blue in color and worn on the left side. It is worn by Alpine hunters, who are the mountain troops of the French army and are nicknamed the "blue devils". The Scottish beret, which is green or plaid in color and adorned with a pompom, is worn straight on the head. It is worn by Scottish clans, which are noble families or kinship groups, each with their own tartan, meaning their distinctive plaid pattern.

The beret or the short story of a great symbol

The beret has crossed regional and national borders to become a universal symbol. It has been adopted by military personnel, artists, intellectuals, revolutionaries, athletes, celebrities, etc. It has thus acquired various connotations, depending on context and era. For example, the green beret is worn by commandos and special forces, and evokes courage, daring, and elite status. The red beret is worn by paratroopers, and evokes sacrifice, blood, and brotherhood. The black beret is worn by guerrillas, and evokes struggle, revolt, and freedom. The white beret is worn by popes, and evokes purity, peace, and spirituality. The beret is also a fashion element, adding a touch of chic, glamour, or whimsy to an outfit. It has been worn by personalities such as Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, Che Guevara, Pablo Picasso, Yves Montand, etc. Today it is a trendy accessory that comes in different materials, colors, and patterns, and adapts to all styles.

Types of berets

Béarnais beret, known as "Basque beret"

The Béarnais beret, or Basque beret, is the most classic and widespread beret. It is circular and flat in shape, and usually has a leather inner crown. It is made of felted wool, which gives it great flexibility and good water resistance. It is black or red in color and is worn on the right side. It is worn by Basques, but also by people from Béarn, Landes, Bigorre, Catalonia... It is considered a symbol of Basque culture and identity.

Alpine beret or Alpine hunter's beret

The Alpine beret, or Alpine hunter's beret, is the beret worn by mountain troops of the French army. It is wider and more flexible in shape than the Basque beret, and often decorated with a metal badge representing a hunting horn or an edelweiss. It is dark blue in color and worn on the left side. It is worn by Alpine hunters, who are nicknamed the "blue devils," and who specialize in mountain warfare.

Bolognese beret

The Bolognese beret, or pompom beret, is a beret worn by women in northern France, particularly in the Boulonnais region. It is round and domed in shape and is decorated with a wool or fur pompom. Black, blue, or red in color, it is worn straight on the head. It is worn by wives of fishermen, sailors, or farmers, and is considered an element of traditional Boulonnais costume.

Cap-beret

The cap-beret, or gavroche beret, is a beret that combines the shape of a beret with the visor of a cap. It is round and flat in shape and has a rigid visor at the front. Made of wool, cotton, tweed, or leather, it can be plain or patterned. Available in various colors, it is worn straight or tilted on the head by both men and women, and has a retro, urban, or casual style.

Scottish beret

The Scottish beret, or tam o' shanter, is a beret worn by Scots. Round and flat in shape, it is decorated with a wool pompom on top. Made of wool, it is often plaid, following the tartan of one's clan, in green, blue, red, or black, and is worn straight on the head. It adds color and whimsy to the outfit and suits oval and round faces, as well as short and layered hairstyles. You can wear it low on the forehead, or on the side, depending on your morphology.

Sailor's beret or bachis

The sailor's beret or bachis is a wool or cotton headwear that has a circular and flat shape with a narrow edge and a ribbon at the back. It is often navy blue in color, with a badge or patch on the front. It adds modernity and character to the outfit and suits elongated and triangular faces, and long, straight hairstyles. You can wear it straight, or slightly tilted, depending on your hairstyle.

Regency Beret

The Regency beret is a felt or velvet headwear that has an oval and domed shape with a wide, wavy edge. It is often black in color, with a feather or flower on the side. It adds elegance and glamour to the outfit and suits fine and oval faces, and simple and understated hairstyles. You can wear it on the forehead, or on the side, depending on the desired effect.

Angevin beret or birette

The Angevin beret or birette is a wool or cotton headwear that has a square and flat shape with a short, upturned edge. It is often red in color, with a pompom or button in the center and adds cheerfulness and lightness to the outfit. It suits round and square faces, and loose and wavy hairstyles. You can wear it on the side, or back, depending on your hairstyle.

Student beret or faluche

The student beret or faluche is a velvet headwear that has a circular and flat shape with a short, upturned edge. It is often black in color, with ribbons, badges, or pins indicating the student's field of study, year, or activities. It adds fun and personality to the outfit and suits all face types and hairstyles, depending on how you wear it. You can wear it straight, or tilted, depending on your style.

"Half-Alpine" beret, commando beret, flowing beret

The "half-Alpine" beret, commando beret, or flowing beret is a wool or cotton headwear that has a triangular and asymmetrical shape with a short, upturned edge at the front and a long, falling edge at the back. It is often green in color, with a badge or patch on the front and adds class and character to the outfit. It suits oval and elongated faces, and short, layered hairstyles. You can wear it tilted or forward, depending on your style.

The beret in armies around the world

The beret is a headwear with a long history that has been adopted by many armies worldwide for practical, symbolic, or aesthetic reasons. The beret can come in different shapes, colors, and materials, depending on the country, branch, or unit wearing it. Here are some examples of berets worn by armies around the world:

• The blue beret: this is the beret worn by UN peacekeepers who are soldiers sent on peacekeeping missions in conflict zones. The blue beret symbolizes neutrality, cooperation, and protection of civilian populations. It is worn by military personnel from different countries, who also display a badge or patch with the UN logo.
• The green beret: this is the beret worn by special forces in several countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, or France. The green beret symbolizes elite status, discretion, and efficiency. It is worn by military personnel trained in special operations such as intelligence, sabotage, or counter-terrorism.
• The red beret: this is the beret worn by paratroopers in several countries, such as France, Canada, or Spain. The red beret symbolizes courage, sacrifice, and daring. It is worn by military personnel trained in parachuting, who are often engaged in airborne operations such as dropping, assault, or evacuation.
• The black beret: this is the beret worn by armored units in several countries such as France, Germany, or Italy. The black beret symbolizes power, speed, and mobility. It is worn by military personnel specialized in armored vehicles, such as tanks, troop carriers, or self-propelled guns.
• The beige beret: this is the beret worn by legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion. The beige beret symbolizes brotherhood, loyalty, and honor. It is worn by foreign military personnel who have chosen to serve France and are known for their bravery, discipline, and esprit de corps.

These examples are not exhaustive, there are many other types of berets worn by armies around the world, such as the brown beret of American Rangers, the grey beret of British commandos, or the white beret of Vatican Swiss Guards. The beret is therefore a headwear with great diversity and significance, reflecting the identity, culture, and mission of the military personnel who wear it.