How To Wear A Beret Without Looking Ridiculous

Channel your inner "Emily in Paris" with these easy and stylish techniques to rock a beret.

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• Jan 19, 2024

How To Wear A Beret The Coolest Ideas To Match Your Outfit!

Image: Shutterstock

A beret is an elegant round and flat cap usually woven or knitted. However, the true beauty of this cap comes out when you know how to wear a beret right. This soft-textured beauty is also seen as a part of uniforms, especially for the armed forces and many other organizations worldwide. This headgear can be styled in various ways, from casual, and street style to modern and even formal, to wear even during autumn and spring.

Sarah, a blogger, stated that she has an affinity for berets and likes to style them with various outfits. Talking about the same, she said, “I love them with jeans, with little strappy dresses, with off-the-shoulder jumpers, with my hair up, with my hair down – I just bloody love them. I’ve been wearing berets for years now and I’d like to think I’ve got quite a bit of experience under my belt….or, eh, beret (i).” The blogger also suggested that one should try and play around with the angle of the beret to create a look that works for them.

Ace The Look

Pick The Correct Fit: Ensure the brim of the hat circles your crown in a snug fit for a smart look. Go for a lined beret to maintain its shape.
Try The French Look: Pair your beret with a minimal or muted makeup look with a berry shade lipstick.
Make It Stand Out: If you have a beret in a vibrant color like bright yellow, red, or pink, keep your outfit muted to make the beret the highlight of your look.

In This Article

History Of The Beret

The beret is a round, flat-crowned hat generally made of wool or felt. It boasts a rich and diverse history having originated from the Basque region of France and Spain. It gained popularity among the working class in the 19th century; the French military adopted it in the 20th century as a symbol of honor and distinction. Initially worn by shepherds in the Pyrenees, it was quickly accepted by artists, military personnel, and fashion enthusiasts.

Over time, the beret evolved into a fashion statement, donned by intellectuals and creatives, including Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. Its cultural significance extended globally, adopted by diverse communities and evolving in styles and materials. From its humble origins to becoming a symbol of artistic expression and individuality, the beret’s journey reflects its enduring allure and significance in both fashion and cultural history. Keep reading to learn the different ways you can style a beret.

Ways To Wear A Beret

So, we have some of the coolest and effective hacks on how to wear a beret cap! First of all, there is no right way to wear a beret. It is about how you carry it. Traditionally, it is worn around one side of the head almost until the forehead. You may also wanna fluff it up to stay in shape. Or you might wanna seek the help of bobby pins and bands to secure it better. Since berets come in Black, Red and Green, you can pair them with the lightest accessory in your outfit for a fashionably chic look.

Did You Know?

Berets are considered unofficial hats of choice for artists and are part of a long-standing portrayal of many intellectuals, film directors, hipsters, and poets.

How To Wear A Beret With Short Hair?

Having short hair has its own pros and cons, we all love it for the lesser maintenance it requires but when it comes to styling, maybe a little work is needed there. Below are some ideas on how to wear a French beret hat with short hair. So read on!

For Pixie cut:

Image: Shutterstock

If you have a pixie cut, then you don’t have to think twice, but just rock a cropped top and a pair of jeans and put on a titled beret! Because there is no way this is not working! And if you are wondering how to wear a leather beret, then this haircut is perfect. Also, adding sunglasses can spice up this look even better!

The classic tucking style:

Start with taking a small scrunchie or thin band and tie all your hair into a low pony.
To make it stylish, you can leave your fringes or bangs to the front and then gather the remaining portion of your hair.
Take the beret and place the lower bottom of the beret below the knot so that it covers the knot.
You can now neatly place the beret around your head.
You can give it a slight tilt, towards your left. Make sure the hair knot is covered under the beret.

Style three: Braiding!

Take a portion from the thicker front part of your hair.
Make a thin braid out of that portion.
Place the beret on the opposite side, slightly tilted until the root of the braid.
You can tuck the end of the braid behind your ears or you can use a hair clip to make it stay.

How To Wear A Beret With Bangs?

Image: Shutterstock

Below are the tips you can try:

You can try, placing it towards a higher back of the head so that only a crown portion of the beret is visible from the front. This will be a classy way to carry a beret in summer.
Another option you can try is a side pony. Make a pony, not too high, and let the hair fall on the front from your shoulders. You can leave your bang just as they are around the forehead. Place the beret on the other side of the head. Yes, the same-titled position for the beret works just fine!
You can even try taking a two-side pony, leaving the bangs in the front. For this style, you would be placing your beret at the top back of your head so that it doesn’t distract the two side ponies. It is up to you to go for a high pony or a lower pony on the sides!

Did You Know?

Anglo-Saxon countries used to consider black beret as the national cap of France, and the beret was generally used to picturize the average Frenchman in France or in other countries.

How To Wear A Beret With Curly Hair?

Image: Shutterstock

Now, curly hair altogether gives a different look. We have done some homework and have come up with some ideas for you on how to wear a french beret when you have those curls!

If you have curly thick hair that does not stay in place, you can try this style! Take a big hair band or scrunchie and put it over your head just over the forehead till the back. This way the hair will not project the beret when you wear it. Now place the beret along with the band! Now the band holds the hair but the beret will add on to your look!
You can try a pony for curly hair as well! Tie a medium-high pony. The beret can be worn just above the knot of the pony.
Next up, is a messy bun! Try a messy bun leaving the top portion of your hair at the front to make a side fringe. Now you have two options for the beret. Either you can cover the entire bun and wear it over it. Or, you can wear it just above the bun and cover the top portion of your head. Either way, you will look awesome!

How To Wear A Beret With Long Hair?

Image: Shutterstock

Folks with longer hair, your efforts on growing it this far are gonna help now! You can actually try a lot of different styles and options on how to wear a french beret properly if you have that long mane! We have a few selected styles that you may wanna explore!

You can braid both sides of the hair and wear the beret towards one side covering your one ear.
The above style can be tweaked a bit. It can be done without the braids. You just need to do that side partition.
Long and straight hair is easy to maintain and hence wearing the beret just like a hat also works wonders. A scarf during winter will also be that perfect add-on!
A low bun with the beret will also work for long hair. With longer hair, the bun can support the beret and help it stay intact.

Image: Shutterstock

Infographic: 4 Different Hairstyles For A Beret

The beret has to be one of the chicest and most timeless hair accessories around. It not only glams up your outfit but also instantly amps up your hairstyle. No wonder it is a part of the classic French girl look! Check out the infographic below for the top 4 trendy hairstyles to rock a beret with.

4 different hairstyles for a beret (infographic)

A beret is a stylish circular and flat cap made of woven or knitted fabrics. This vintage headwear can bring a unique statement to your style sense. We hope we have provided you with all of the information you might be looking for on how to wear a beret. Just make sure it is the proper fit for your head so that you don’t have to readjust it while wearing it. But keep in mind one small but crucial point: use the ideas we have listed above to create your unique style statement. Allow your appearance to speak for you and better reveal your personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What face shape can wear a beret?

A beret is a timeless fashion item that goes well with any face shape.

Are berets supposed to cover your ears?

No. Berets are supposed to be worn about an inch or half an inch behind your ears.

Is it OK to wear a beret indoors?

Yes. Berets can be worn indoors too as they create an elegant look.

Key Takeaways

A beret is typically worn around one side of the head leaning, coming almost up to the forehead.
The beret needs to be secured or supported so that it doesn’t fall off or you don’t have to keep adjusting it.
For short hair, ticking and braiding are the two most popular ways while for longer hair, side braids, middle parting, or a bun works best.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Check out this video to learn nine unique ways to style a beret! From classic to modern, you’ll be sure to find a look that suits you.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. On The Beret
https://agirlcalledcedar.blogspot.com/2016/12/on-beret.html