Berets, Anyone?

[Daan]

Coming sooner than you may think, Xmas is here in only 2 months time.

For those of you who struggle every year between faithfulness to your beret and donning a silly Santa hat, put the fun into Christmas this year while remaining loyal to your favourite headwear: wear the South Pacific Antlers Beret!

Yes, a real beret in 100% wool, available in 3 seasonal colours and fitted with a beautiful pair of reindeer antlers!

Order in time, only a small number available.

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

Order in time, only a small number available.

I'm not surprised!

 

[Daan]

I'm not surprised!

Ha, to be honest, no you wouldn't see me wearing one of these in downtown Wellington! My kids however, already do.

 

[RJR]

Ha, to be honest, no you wouldn't see me wearing one of these in downtown Wellington! My kids however, already do.

 

[Daan]

Two brand new Le Béret Français models in a variety of colour combinations have just been released and are now available at South Pacific Berets: Eco Bérets and Pyreneen Wool berets in two colours.

A real innovation in beret manufacturing as the berets are actually knitted in separate colours, a technique invented by Le Béret Français, showing beret wearing and manufacturing is much alive in France (again) these days.

Have a look here - as an introduction, presently at the same price as the standard Eco Bérets Printemps and Bi-Colours.

 

[GrayEyes]

I have a color question about berets.

Simply put: Are some colors more popular in some places than others? For example, is black the color of choice in Spain, France, and/or Italy? Perhaps dark blue in the Czech Republic and Hungary? What about Argentina? Is there a trend or broad convention anywhere?

(And I am not talking about politically significant colors, such as the red berets of the Spanish Carlists or the white berets of the Argentinian Radical Civic Union. And I am not talking about military or military-style berets. I mean Basque or Basque-style berets.)

 

[Daan]

I have a color question about berets.

Simply put: Are some colors more popular in some places than others? For example, is black the color of choice in Spain, France, and/or Italy? Perhaps dark blue in the Czech Republic and Hungary? What about Argentina? Is there a trend or broad convention anywhere?

(And I am not talking about politically significant colors, such as the red berets of the Spanish Carlists or the white berets of the Argentinian Radical Civic Union. And I am not talking about military or military-style berets. I mean Basque or Basque-style berets.)

Interesting question and not so easy to answer. As for France, Italy and to a lesser extent Spain (Carlists and Requetés excluded), colour choice did have a lot to do with politics. In Italy, the black beret was traditionally associated with the Roman Catholic church (many priests wore a beret) while (communist and socialist leaning) workers tended to differentiate themselves from that by wearing navy berets.

These days, I don't think anyone cares or thinks about this distinction anymore, but until the 1980's, these sentiments were certainly alive.

Czech berets, and typically the small diameter Radiovka, were black, apart from a large range of berets for women in bright colours. South Pacific Berets had FEZCO-TONAK make a variety of colours in the Radiovka, Service Star and Mammoth models which was a novelty in Czech (men's) berets. In my experience, the deep blue and winter-green are outselling the traditional black models.

The Argentinean and Uruguayan berets, or boinas, are a different story. These berets have always come in many colours. Yes, there used to be a political link (as mentioned by GrayEyes), but more importantly, colour was defined by region (although not in any strict manner).
Gauchos always chose to wear the more flamboyant colours and red, pink, orange, light blue etc are often seen on the most macho of men.
Overall, coloured berets (bright or dark shades in green and blue) are popular all over South America.

As for French and Spanish berets, colours are relatively new. The traditional black-navy-red selection is still the staple in both countries' berets; black and navy for daily wear, the bright red typically for the fiestas in Spain and the south of France. However, over the last 30 or so years, Boinas Elosegui, Laulhere and Blancq-Olibet, all introduced other colours and although black and navy are still the most sold, all (or most of) these colours have become real staples in their own right.

Le Béret Français leads the way with an enormous range of colours and (see my previous post) 2 and 3 coloured berets.
And the berets made by Boneteria Auloronesa? The most popular (after black) is rust-red!

 

[Daan]

Black Friday or Viernes Negro is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the fourth Thursday of November). Since 1932, it has been regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the U.S.

South Pacific Berets is, as the names implies, far from an American business, but why not celebrate along with our neighbours across the Pacific.

This Friday (starting NZ time – ending US Pacific time) massive discounts on some of the world's best berets! (As long as stocks lasts)

 

[GrayEyes]

Leather sweatband questions:

How are Laulhère's sweatbands? Are the leather ones stiff or pliable? Does the Bayadère model have a real leather sweatband or "leatherette"?
How are Elosegui's sweatbands? Are the leather ones stiff or pliable? Do the Fina and Super Lujo models have a real leather sweatband or "leatherette"?
(I know that Boneteria Auloronesa's leather sweatbands are supposed to be very good.)

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Daan]

How are Laulhère's sweatbands? Are the leather ones stiff or pliable? Does the Bayadère model have a real leather sweatband or "leatherette"?
How are Elosegui's sweatbands? Are the leather ones stiff or pliable? Do the Fina and Super Lujo models have a real leather sweatband or "leatherette"?
(I know that Boneteria Auloronesa's leather sweatbands are supposed to be very good.)

Ha, a very timely question as I just received the first batch of custom made (Grand) Foulards Linen - Taille (see below).
All Laulhère's sweatbands are made of solid leather and come in two variations: the basic leather band as fitted in Laulhère's medium range berets like the Basque Authentique:

and the braked version fitted in the more luxurious models like the Super Basque, Pedrito and
bayadère models. The "brake" is a sewn-on ribbon that prevents the beret flying off in a gust of wind.

Laulhère's presents sweatbands are a big improvement to older models (and similarly, berets made by other French manufacturers like Blancq-Olibet and Beighau). It was common to use composite leather for the cheaper models, which is basically a mixture of small leather bits glued together (similar to particleboard made of timber and glue).
Laulhère's sweatbands are, like Boinas Elósegui's of very good quality and much more comfortable than, for example, the sweatbands fitted in the Argentinian boinas Tolosa Tupida. These, although nice to the touch and eye, are of exceptionally thick Moroccan leather.
Still, all these headbands leave an imprint on the forehead, become sweaty and in the long term, will stiffen and crack. As you mentioned, the exception is Boneteria Auloronesa, who uses the same supple, soft leather as used for upholstery of luxurious French cars.

Non-leather headbands are another story. Most are of stiff PVC or other synthetic materials that are unpleasantly sweaty (and sometimes as stiff as thick leather). There are some exceptions, like the ultra thin leatherette of the Czech Radiovka's, the German Baskenmuetze and the Italian bascos Francia.

However, if looking for a non-leather headband (for whatever reason) in a higher quality beret, you'd be very disappointed.
Hence I asked Boneteria Auloronesa to develop a headband of synthetic material that is 1) supple and pleasant to the touch, 2) non irritating in any way, 3) remains supple without developing cracks and 4) not animal based. The result is a series of custom made (Grand) Foulards of the highest possible quality, fitted with a leatherette headband, French unbleached linen and the Boneteria Aotearoa label.

Better still, if ordered now you'll have it by Christmas!

 

[Nico]

Sprucing up the garden on this warm spring day. On this occasion wearing my bordeaux Auloronesa.
Surprisingly the beret is doing a good job keeping the sun off my face and ears.

 

[Daan]

If anyone is interested I have a stock of Deer berets. Thank you Daan !

Ha, I don't know why you thank me, but maybe I should add to Almas's post that actually, I ordered a DEER Basque myself from him. After all my stock sold out, I realized I had only two for myself - too few for a dedicated boinero.
Anyone who would like one of these fantastic little berets, I would recommend to get in touch with Almas. The only other place I saw DEER Basques still for sale was at the Rakuten website and at a cost way above Almas's price.

 

[Daan]

This week, just in time for Christmas deliveries, a very special SPECIAL, one of Boneteria Aotearoa's absolute top-models and among the very best berets one could possibly find, anywhere!

These Foulards are fitted with natural, unbleached French linen lining. Not only beautiful, but very pleasant to wear as providing excellent moisture absorption and very comfortable to the touch. The Foulards Linen - Taille are sized berets with the same unbleached French lining and fitted with a non-animal based leatherette headband. Available in 10 and 11 pouces and in 12 pouces Alpin version.

This week only at up to a 20+% discount @ $72.00 - $75.50 only (or as long as stock lasts)!

 

[Michael A]

I picked this beret up at a thrift today.
P1220275 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
It's quite small in diameter
P1220276 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
P1220278 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Something to keep my head warm around the house this winter.

Michael

 

[Nico]

Heading out to a Spanish restaurant tonight.
On this occasion wearing my Elosegui Super Lujo.

 

[Daan]

It's chestnut season! When the pockets are loaded a beret may be handy

Or eggs in the Easter season...

 

[Nico]

Treated myself to a Christmas present. , thanks SPB.
This one is a winter green Czech classic beret.
Got to say , very comfortable to wear and soft.

 

[RJR]

Treated myself to a Christmas present. , thanks SPB.
This one is a winter green Czech classic beret.
Got to say , very comfortable to wear and soft.

View attachment 63451

I have a couple as well,about as
comfortable as any I own.

 

[RJR]

Warm,rainy morning-tri color beret from Daan for a bit of Christmas color.

 

[Babbo Philipe]

Sprucing up the garden on this warm spring day. On this occasion wearing my bordeaux Auloronesa.
Surprisingly the beret is doing a good job keeping the sun off my face and ears.

View attachment 61134

bordeaux Auloronesa., great color, Auloronesa itself is the best beret on the market, in my opinion