Berets, Anyone?

[Kreissaege]

Most civilian berets are larger than those contemporary Jarmulke-sized military ones.
(What good is a beret, if it doesnt provide shelter with a generous fold?)

A picture, posted by Daan on facbook, illustrates this with the three people in the foreground. left to right: useless, practical, practical and stylish. Well, after all its french.

 

[totallyfrozen]

A picture, posted by Daan on facbook, illustrates this with the three people in the foreground. left to right: useless and stylish, practical, practical and stylish. Well, after all its french. View attachment 81990

There! Fixed it for you. [emoji2]

LOL! I like berets military and civilian alike. I'll say, though, that soldier's beret seems to block his peripheral vision.

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[totallyfrozen]

OK, all banter aside, I'm getting serious about picking up a few berets (different colors). How can I identify a good quality beret from a poor one?

I saw the berets for sale on Daan's site, but most of those seemed in the ballpark of $80 to $100. Add shipping charges from New Zealand to Texas, USA and they're out of my reach. Are there any good quality berets in the $30 to $60 range? Where would I find them?


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[ErikFid]

OK, all banter aside, I'm getting serious about picking up a few berets (different colors). How can I identify a good quality beret from a poor one?

I saw the berets for sale on Daan's site, but most of those seemed in the ballpark of $80 to $100. Add shipping charges from New Zealand to Texas, USA and they're out of my reach. Are there any good quality berets in the $30 to $60 range? Where would I find them?


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I am a newcomer to this world of berets myself, but now own 7 berets of which six come from Daan over the last two months. His limited edition with abalone lining was the most expensive at $115 and would say, the nicest in quality and comfort too. However, I also got a Spanish super lujo at $59 which, imho, is of the same high standard (but without the added drawstring).
But, the Czec service star is actually my personal favorite. It may be lighter in weight, but is super comfy and simply has a great look. It can be worn in military style and basque style and has no little wick in the center. I got mine on special at $39, but have ordered the winter green and black version last week at $48. The classic model is the same, but cheaper as no headband and more color options.
And on my wish list are the Argentinian Tolosa Tupidas and the German berets - all under $50.
Service has been excellent (and man, I did ask a few questions pre ordering!) and PandH cost very reasonable.

 

[ErikFid]

Should have added that the one beret I did not get from Daan is a locally made Betmar beret. Too soft, doesn't hold shape and the wool headband stretched so far it now fits over my head. Not recommended!

 

[totallyfrozen]

I am a newcomer to this world of berets myself, but now own 7 berets of which six come from Daan over the last two months. His limited edition with abalone lining was the most expensive at $115 and would say, the nicest in quality and comfort too. However, I also got a Spanish super lujo at $59 which, imho, is of the same high standard (but without the added drawstring).
But, the Czec service star is actually my personal favorite. It may be lighter in weight, but is super comfy and simply has a great look. It can be worn in military style and basque style and has no little wick in the center. I got mine on special at $39, but have ordered the winter green and black version last week at $48. The classic model is the same, but cheaper as no headband and more color options.
And on my wish list are the Argentinian Tolosa Tupidas and the German berets - all under $50.
Service has been excellent (and man, I did ask a few questions pre ordering!) and PandH cost very reasonable.

Thanks a lot! I took a deeper look at Daan's site. It appears I had been looking at the "wrong" pages for my price range. I do see some very nice affordable berets on there. I appreciate you taking the time for a detailed response.


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[Daan]

I am a newcomer to this world of berets myself, but now own 7 berets of which six come from Daan over the last two months. His limited edition with abalone lining was the most expensive at $115 and would say, the nicest in quality and comfort too. However, I also got a Spanish super lujo at $59 which, imho, is of the same high standard (but without the added drawstring).
But, the Czec service star is actually my personal favorite. It may be lighter in weight, but is super comfy and simply has a great look. It can be worn in military style and basque style and has no little wick in the center. I got mine on special at $39, but have ordered the winter green and black version last week at $48. The classic model is the same, but cheaper as no headband and more color options.
And on my wish list are the Argentinian Tolosa Tupidas and the German berets - all under $50.
Service has been excellent (and man, I did ask a few questions pre ordering!) and PandH cost very reasonable.

Thanks for the very positive feedback Erik. You are dead right: in that $30.00 - 60.00 price bracket, the Czech and Argentinian models would list very high and the Super Lujo can't be praised enough really.
But there are many more options: apart from the very large diameter Cataluña, all Uruguayan models are below $60.00 (starting at $35.00).
Green and black military berets cost $39.00 and both Laulhère and Boinas Elósegui have a range of quality options well below $60.00.

 

[augustwest]

Wore my new blue Aotearoa to the city this morning and was asked by a little fellow if I was a film director. I told him that I love watching, but am not much good at shooting films. He went on to tell me that all good directors wear a beret and, getting deeper into the subject, mentioned a few directors proving his statement.
I certainly had not heard of Ingmar Bergman at elementary school!

I had a similar situation a while back. I was walking along the Highland Park area of Los Angeles wearing my navy cotton beret. Someone along the way asked, if I was an artist? I guess only artist can wear berets. So I responded, if I were wearing a "ball cap" would that make me a baseball player? I was then greeted with a rather blank clueless stare.

 

[RJR]

I had a similar situation a while back. I was walking along the Highland Park area of Los Angeles wearing my navy cotton beret. Someone along the way asked, if I was an artist? I guess only artist can wear berets. So I responded, if I were wearing a "ball cap" would that make me a baseball player? I was then greeted with a rather blank clueless stare.

 

[KarlCrow]

could have said you were special forces in disguise (-:

 

[Windsock8e]

A picture, posted by Daan on facbook, illustrates this with the three people in the foreground. left to right: useless, practical, practical and stylish. Well, after all its french. View attachment 81990

The giant berets you see there are those of the French "chasseurs alpins" or mountain troops (https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Béret_de_chasseur_alpin).

My great uncle (is that what you call your mother's uncle?) passed away 18 months ago and served in the chasseurs alpins. I know he still had his so will see if I can find which relative has it and post.

 

[Daan]

A scoop on The Fedora Lounge: Boinas Portuguesas, of 100% burel from the Sera da Estrela!

Burel is a 100% woven wool felt, made from Bordaleira sheep wool. This breed lives only in the Serra da Estrela region, the highest mountains in Portugal and is capable of growing extremely resistant but still pleasant to the touch fibres.

In the heart of Portugal’s Serra da Estrela lies the village of Manteigas. Shepherds have lived in these mountains since the 12th century and the village is characterized by the weaving industry and manufacturing of burel cloth, an ancient tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.

The sheep of the Serra da Estrela have allowed humans to settle this inhospitable part of Portugal by providing wool, milk and meat for many centuries and until recently, the region’s economy was fully based on sheep’s products.
It was the constant and unlimited supply of fresh water to wash the wool and drive the machines and looms (pre-Industrial Revolution) that enabled the industry to flourish in Manteigas.
With the introduction of synthetics and cheap imports from overseas, the burel industry went into decline and almost disappeared, throwing entire families into poverty and causing many to move to the cities or abroad.
The most important wool factory in the region was Lanificio Império (1947). This factory was bought in 2010 by two keen hikers and mountain explorers, João Tomás and Isabel Costa, who, after realizing the heritage and the cultural value of the space, decided not to let burel die and proceed with the recovery of the factory that became ‘Burel Factory’.

Burel Factory continues using the same machines and traditional equipment, ensuring the production of unique, different and high quality fabrics, preserving the past, reinterpreting it and making it into a story of the future.

At South Pacific Berets now the Burel Boinas Portuguesas in the original Sarrubeco (natural) and the custom made colours 'Jeans' and 'Exército verde' (Army Green).

 

[Daan]

Two short films that give insight into the manufacturing of burel, the felted wool from Portugal's Serra da Estrela that is used to create our new Boinas Portuguesas.

Much of the machinery used in the manufacturing process is well over 100 years old and the end product likewise, hasn't changed in all those years.

 

[Babbo Philipe]

i have 2 Auloronesa berets for sale, Bordeaux and plum, 9.5 brand new, on eBay or for sale here, too small a plateau for me,

 

[Daan]

Grey is the new black this week at South Pacific Berets, with two extraordinary ranges on SPECIAL: the Argentinian boinas Espinosa / Tolosa Tupida range in 'grey melange' and the Foulards Aotearoa in 'anthracite'.

The 'grey melange' is more than a new colour; due to the marbling effect of the grey felted merino wool the felt has a denser, stiffer quality, making a stunningly beautiful and durable beret.

The anthracite Aotearoa is SPB's answer to find a more affordable alternative for the top quality foulard berets; an exquisite colour, incredibly comfortable and at a great price!

On Special for one week only (or as long as stock lasts)!

 

[Nico]

Last week of winter down under and a sunny one today.
Wearing my Quetsche Auloronesa.

 

[Nico]

24hrs later, sleet and snow. My black Auloronesa worked a treat today.

 

[Daan]

24hrs later, sleet and snow. My black Auloronesa worked a treat today.

View attachment 83698

And on sale now, in 9, 10 and 11p with French linen lining and headband, @ a $20.00 discount (one week only, or as long as stock lasts...).

 

[ErikFid]

View attachment 83781
And on sale now, in 9, 10 and 11p with French linen lining and headband, @ a $20.00 discount (one week only, or as long as stock lasts...).
View attachment 83782

Great timing, its a deal!

 

[GrayEyes]

Late 1920s Berlin
(Notice the photographer to the speaker's left.)

The speaker is Ernst Thälmann, leader of the German Communist Party during the later years of the Weimar Republic, a hardcore Stalinist, and a former Hamburg dock worker and stoker.

His preferred head wear was a fisherman's cap, typical of his native Hamburg.