Berets: how to style without looking silly

There’s something about a beret that makes most people avoid them like the plague. Just mention that you’re thinking of wearing one and suddenly everyone has an opinion…mainly a negative opinion.

The classic comment is “Oooh-la-la!” so when styling a beret over the age of 25 that’s the first pitfall to avoid. Do not wear the beret flat and steeply pulled down at the side or back. Young women can look stunning in a flat beret, when referencing the Hollywood vision of the Parisian femme fatale is fun and glamourous. For the rest of us, we just look silly.

Best style to look good in a beret at any age, in any weather

This soft rounded look works for everyone. It has a retro charm – in fact I reckon this was exactly how my mother always hoped I’d wear my school beret. But of course I never did! I hated the thing and pinned it onto the back of my head as far out of sight as possible.

I have since changed my view on the beret, thus this post. Ah, how inevitably we become more like our dear mothers as we get older!

This soft styling echoes the freedom fighter look so be sure to wear it with a feminine outfit. If you don’t have long hair – not that only women have long hair of course – then wear large, probably hoop, earrings.

Alternatively, go the whole hog and pull on a checked shirt and denim jeans with a leather belt, toss the handbag and sling on a soft backpack. Voila! You’ll be the star of your book club.

Best stylish look

If you are more stylish than classic then you probably like to express your personality through what you wear. For you the beret can be much more fun.

Wear the beret flatter rather than puffed and rounded. And accentuate the potential for an altogether ‘sharper’ look by pulling one edge of the beret steeply downwards. As this styling is beloved of paratroopers everywhere, aim for stylishly feminine attire below.

In the image above, the patterned sleeveless knitted vest in soft colors and the bright smile ensure any unintended reference to UN peacekeeping forces are far from our thoughts.

The further you pull one side up above the ear and the other side at a sharp downward angle, the more French a beret looks. Beware wearing heavy eye make-up and especially a very red lip. The natural make-up and soft colors therefore work well in the styling above. Yes, it’s a touch French. Yes, it’s rather chic. But no, you don’t look as if you are off to seduce a German officer while your boyfriend blows up a bridge.

How I style a beret in winter

Today I sometimes wear a beret in cold weather. It makes a change from a beanie which usually makes my forehead itch after a while. And on a windy day it stays on better than my baseball cap or my waterproof bucket hat.

I need to wear the beret over my ears to keep warm. This is a less flattering look but hey, is fashion or health my priority these days?

My rainy day in town look

Taking a leaf out of the French Resistance’s style book, I go for an undercover look, jamming the beret low over my ears, pulling up the crown by the standuppy thing then finishing the soft edge with a few deft karate chops to give a rationing era (only Europeans understand this!) piecrust effect. Perfect for the worst of weather when visibility is thankfully low.

My day in the country look

If you keep the beret fairly high on your head and pull the front edge forward you get a look that resembles a country gamekeeper flat cap. It’s the little standuppy bit on top that gives the game away (so to speak).

This styling works for me if I don’t make the beret too flat. Otherwise I look like I’m trying too hard – and as a casual classic dresser that isn’t really me.

My cold winter walk look

Throwing to the winds any claims to cool, here’s a picture of me after getting in from one of the coldest, windiest, wettest dog walks I’ve ever enjoyed here on the Med. But the beret worked a treat! Worn at mid-ear level to facilitate early warning of – no not the Luftwaffe, but almost as bad – those pesky electric scooters, the beret is pulled up and left highish. This achieves a woolen halo around my face, just in case the Good Lord decides this is the day He will call me to Him.

Looking for a beret?

The two blue berets in the images above are both from a range of wool berets at Woolovers.

You can often find berets discounted in Spring so never spend out on an expensive one. Amazon lists hundreds of berets at low prices. And they stock lots of colors so you can easily marry one up with your winter coat.

For under $10 you can stuff one in your jacket pocket and know, come wind or rain, you can save your hair-do and look just fine.

What to read next

If you enjoy reading about styling outfits to suit the older woman then take a look at My Recent Capsule Wardrobe at 76