If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know my undying love of berets. I may have minor dalliances every now and then with other forms of head wear, but in all truth, my heart belongs to the beret.
And with Valentine’s Day nearly upon us, it seemed an amusing idea to share my love of berets with you, as an alternative Valentine’s Day post because I’m sure you don’t need to read yet another blogger’s post about ideas for his ‘n’ hers Valentine gifts or outfits….. zzzzz.
Come stroll with me through 15 cracking reasons as to why you should wear a beret – at all times.
Apart from when you’re in the shower.
Or possibly when you’re asleep.
1. Easy to pack for holidays or trips abroad.
On my last trip to France at Christmas, I packed 3 berets in my suitcase, each taking up minimal room and barely adding any extra weight to my luggage allowance.
2. Easy to store.
They take up minimal room and there’s no need for multiple hat
boxes. Or if you do store them in a hat box, you just stack them one on top like a pancake tower!
Oh, and before you think, hang on a minute… is that a cat sitting on top of…. no, it’s not a curled up, sleeping cat. It’s my uber fluffy, leopard print beret!
3. You can squish, squash, fold and
scrunch them in your bag and they still ping back into shape;
making them perfect to wear if you commute; just pop your beret into your handbag when it’s not required to be of service, on your head.
4. They exude a timeless style.
Certain styles of
hats may come and go but the beret is enduring and never looks dated.
5. They’re ageless.
40+ ladies, however open to wearing different styles, might be concerned that some millinery could make them look like mutton dressed as lamb, but berets look equally cool on a 63 year old, as on a 23 year old.
6. They are one of the most inexpensive, yet stylish forms of head wear you can buy.
Good quality wool berets can be purchased for under £10!
7. Über warm and light to wear in Winter.
Pom pom hats and beanies don’t even come close to the warmth I feel when wearing a wool beret on a freezing cold day.
8. And unlike pom pom hats or caps, I never seem to suffer from hat hair.
You know the look. The one where your hair ends up literally being smeared down the sides of your head like glue whenever you take a hat off.
9. Berets never blow off your head when it’s a windy day!
The number of times I’ve seen women clutching onto their floppy hats or fedoras for dear life, even in in moderate winds, whilst my beret remains firmly attached to my head is more than I care to count.
10. Good for all head sizes.
I have a
very small head and most hats fall down over my eyes. With berets, I
can style them so they sit well on my head.
11. They’re unisex.
Perfect for adding a masculine element to
an outfit as in my menswear inspired Suited & Booted look. Yet at the same time, the soft texture is a feminine counterpoint. Marlene Dietrich wearing her beret was the epitome of this look.
12. They add an extra style element to a smart outfit.
Especially
if they have some intricate detail such as crystals or sequins.
13. A coloured beret adds a complementary yet contrasting pop of
colour to any outfit.
Playing on colour theory, here are two colours that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. Raspberry and teal are really only extreme shades of red and green. The raspberry jacket is the dominant colour, the teal beret, the complementary one.
The result is two strong pops of colour that work in harmony with each other, whilst providing an eye-catching contrast.
Here the teal beret is still working on the above principle but as part of an outfit with a more sophisticated feel.
This time it’s the complementary colour to deep maroon.
14. Ideal to wear as a linking accessory, in either colour or print.
Here I’m wearing varying shades of grey, literally from top to toe with my beret and brogues.
This outfit shows how easy it is to link your accessories with a pattern; the beret, belt, bracelet and boots are all slightly different leopard print accents.
15. Wear a beret as a finishing touch to a
casual outfit.
More grown up than a pom pom hat, there’s a touch of the Parisian chic about a beret, even when worn with a dressed down look of a maxi skirt, biker books and gothic style, biker leather jacket.
As you can see, berets are far from boring.
Find ones with tiny, faceted gemstones or beads, that sparkle as they catch the light, such as my navy, silver grey and black berets below, and this humble hat is effortlessly elevated to the chic and glamourous.
The three below all came from Accessorize; long been a favoured place to buy my berets from. I snapped up the navy one in the sale two Winters ago at, of all places, the Gatwick airport branch! I was flying off on a Christmas break and it came in very handy on the trip, alternating head warming duty with the one I’d already packed.
Most years, they do a variety of colours. This past season they stocked them in Black, Berry, Grey and Mink and their Ivory Beaded Wool Beret is still available in their sale, reduced from £17 to £5.10.
Alternatively, seek out berets with unusual patterns and multi-coloured ones.
One of my favourite additions to my ever growing beret collection is the one peeping out of the top in the photo below. My cat beret, with its felt bow around its neck, brings new meaning to Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat!
Convinced about the joys and usefulness of beret wearing?
Want to channel your inner Greta Garbo?
Want to know where you can buy one?
It’s classic beret heaven in a huge variety of colours at The House of Bruar, plus they very handily do different sizes – small, medium and large.
And Village Hats have all kinds of berets from the tradition basque to the more military in style.
Classic black and burgundy felt berets still available at New Look
And many to be found on e-bay.
Linking with Fashion Should Be Fun / Fabulous Friday / Flashback Fashion Friday / Visible Monday / Creative Mondays / #iwillwearwhatilike / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Bloggers Who’ve Inspired Me / JerseyGirl/TexanHeart / Style Me Wednesday / ColorandGrace / ColorandGrace / TopoftheWorldStyle /
You have a great collection of berets! 🙂 You wear them so well too. I don't have any, as I'm not really a hat person. But I can't deny that they are cosy in winter! 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Thank you Mica. I'm quite surprised at how many I do have now!
I have never worn a beret before, but you've made a very convincing case! I love your collection! All of your ensembles featuring berets are also gorgeous. I really like the polka dots with stripes in the one look.
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
You should definitely try one Katie, especially with the wonderful colourful combinations you wear.
And reason 16: they make a great signature accessory.
Perfect reason, Tiina!
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Berets for the win always in my book, too!!! I'd adored them for ages, but only had a couple (one pink, one black) up until late 2014. I noticed just how often I was sporting those, so I invested in some more and now have over ten (and hope to keep growing that collection further as time goes on). This winter I've just been living in my camel and grey hued ones in particular.
Have an awesome Valentine's weekend!
♥ Jessica
Yay, another beret lover! We're spreading the love. I warn you, it definitely becomes infectious wearing berets. I just bought another one last week!
I haven't tried a beret since the 80's but I think you've inspired me to take the plunge and give it another go! You totally rock this look!
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday & enjoy your Valentine's Day!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Take the plunge Dawn! You'd totally rock a beret.
Well you know how much I love a beret : ) You have so many great outfits featuring berets.
That cat one is so special! Better hold on tight to that one should I visit.
I did a style interview a while back and was criticized for wearing berets. No joke.
You can read all about it here…
http://suzannecarillo.com/i-refuse-to-be-defined-by-my-age/
Needless to say I didn't let that sour me on my love of berets. I found it so unusual that someone would even comment that it was age inappropriate wear.
Whatever.
bisous
Suzanne
My favourite beret wearer! We're beret twins. I was so chuffed about finding that cat one. I've not worn it on the blog yet… um… must rectify that soon.
I can't believe that person's comments? You're one of the most elegant bloggers I know. Your style is super elegant. Some folk eh?
And I'm still scratching my head at the idea that a beret isn't suitable over a certain age! Crackers.
They look great on you, they hate me! Any hat seems to not like me, and I'm yet to find one that suits me. I envy that you can wear them.
Laurie x
Oh that's a shame. Keep trying, there's definitely a hat out there for you Laurie!
They look great on you, they hate me! Any hat seems to not like me, and I'm yet to find one that suits me. I envy that you can wear them.
Laurie x
I love Beret's but always feel shy to wear them incase they don't look good but they suit you to a T ♥
tipscapsule.blogspot.com
Well, you're past the first step Trishna – loving berets. Wear one around the house first to get used to it and then stride out with confidence. You honestly can't go wrong with a beret!
As you demonstrate so well in all these lovely outfits (well styled dear, all of them), the beret is indeed your hat. It looks wonderful on those curls of yours. I will pass as on me they will not look anything like they do on you.
Greetje
Thank you for your kind comments, Greetje. The berets do go rather well with the curls. Finally something I love about my wayward curls!
Wonderful post! I am pretty sure it can convince anyone to wear a beret. Quite a collection of them you own! I too love berets and have several in my wardrobe, of different colours. Unfortunately, winter here is too warm for wearing them. Still, I keep them in case I will travel somewhere with colder climate 🙂
Thank you Olga, I do hope I've convinced a few people to try one, at least. I'm aiming for one in every colour – I'm doing pretty well so far! Love it that you're another beret lover and yes, good to have a few on standby for travelling.
I fall into that category of never having tried one!! But considering I have curls like you, I bet I'd love it! So let me call you an enabler and go shopping (or maybe I'll knit myself one)!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh I'd love to see you in a beret Jodie! And yes, with your curls, you've no excuse. Let me know when you buy or finish knitting one!
Great post, love how they stack up !! You look great in all your berets. I need to keep a look out for one and see what they look like on me 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays
I couldn't resist stacking them – they're made for it. I'd love to see you in one too, Claire.
I was quite certain I'd left a comment, I must be losing my grip on reality. What I wanted to say was I used to wear berets all the time as a teenager and yet when adulthood struck (read: 20 years and above), I simply stopped wearing them. For what reason, I've no idea. But it's such a shame. You make them look SO awesome. So so jaunty!! That's the word I was looking for, jaunty. Playful. Spirited. Fun. As it should be xoxo
Jaunty – such a good word and beret and jaunty are a match made in heaven. You'd look fab in a beret Sheela, I know you would. I want to see you style an outfit wearing one. You'd totally rock it. Thank you for your kind words.
I think the beret is your true signature piece. You suit wearing them, or they suit you. I look faintly stupid in a beret, but you look cool, stylish and as if you know exactly what you're doing.
Anna
Anna's Island Style
Thank you Anna, it certainly is now! I feel so comfortable in them and I think when you find a style that makes you feel that comfortable it becomes effortless and therefore hopefully cool!
You are most definitely without a doubt, the undisputed queen of berets! When I think beret, I think of you. And I so love the furry beret; it's so unique, even in your vast collection. I'm not a hat girl myself, but berets are definitely the easiest to wear.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I should really have a crown on top of my beret, Debbie! I do like the idea of being the undisputed Queen of Berets – ha, ha! Thank you for my new moniker!
I'm a huge beret fan too!!! I have about 12 too in various colours (in fact, I had a giveaway for a pale blue angora one a few years ago!)and I totally agree with everything you say about them!!!
My first beret was bought aged 8. I declared to my mum that I wanted a beret and finally found a corn flower blue one in Laura Ashley flower which I wore for years!!!x
I knew you'd be a beret fan – yay, we're out in force. We'll have to compare our berets! I love the fact that you got in early – aged 8! You even had a few years on me then.
Thank you for reminding me of the awesomeness of the beret! I also love how versatile & feminine you style it.
Note to self: must wear more berets!
Thank you! Yes, dig out those berets and enjoy!
Love your berets!
Thank you. They are just so fun and easy to wear.
Great conclusions to wearing a beret. I have actually never owned one, nor tried one on before but this makes me eager to try one as I would love to pair it with neutrals or stripes sometime.
Thank you for linking up to "Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me"
Rachel xo
http://garaytreasures.com
Give it a whirl, Rachel. It adds just a little bit extra to any outfit.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. You have quite a collection. I love berets.
Another beret lover! And my collection is expanding!
I'm a hat lover, but reading your post makes me realize that a beret is not in my collection of hats yet. I must remedy this! Love your different beret outfits!
xo
n
Ahhh, a think a shopping trip is on for you, Norbyah! I think you'd look fantastic in a beret.
Such a great post! I'll be pinning this to the Linkup Pinterest Board. Thanks for linking up with me, and hope to see you this week!
http://www.jerseygirltexanheart.com
Thanks you Monica for pinning it. Yes, I'll be there tomorrow.