Why you should swap your beanie for a beret

Big coat, scarf, gloves, hat… the layering checklist before you leave the house on a cold winter’s day is never-ending. Sure, you’re guaranteed to be warm, but binding yourself in knitted accessories can leave you feeling a little trussed-up. Which is where the beret comes in. Unlike a beanie, which tends to squash and flatten your hair, a beret can be sported away from your face and instantly elevates your outfit. 

A fashion statement in itself as much as a piece of headgear, a beret is synonymous with Gallic style. Like many great fashion innovations (the trench coat being a perfect example) the beret has its roots in the French military, before it was adopted by bohemian poets and writers in Paris in the 1920s. Since then the beret has enjoyed a parallel existence as both the hat of choice for military branches around the world and style mavens alike. 

The more traditional beret silhouette tends to be structured and made from wool, creating a full saucer effect, while knitted versions are softer and slouchier. Whichever your preference, sport at a jaunty angle for a fast-ticket to French style.

The best of the berets

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