Berets, Anyone?

[Babbo Philipe]

I know that I have not participated in the discussion as much as I should, but I really appreciate all of the posts and photos! I just caught up on the last 9 pages (!) while making the rounds and seeing what new berets were out there in the wild for purchase! The new MdB Luxe versions look amazing and I’m pondering which color I would like best before placing an order soon!

In the meantime, I‘ve been exploring how to shape a beret.

I have an older MdB that I love that has taken on the shape that I like over time and it’s beautiful.

I have this Goat in a Tree beret that I’ve had for a year or so and it’s never really taken on a shape and held it. Certainly not a problem… just a difference in the beret, I guess. So, this morning, while loading the wood stove and spending the day home with my kids, I went ahead and submerged the beret… gently wrung it out… shaped it on my head (in the backroad-French-farmer-sort of style that I like by pulling out a peak on the front and pressing down the sides).

To prevent me from needing to wear it all day while it dries, I searched around my house for a good subject for a mold and found the perfect idea! A smooth top hard hat in with my work gear.

It’s now resting a comfortable distance away from the wood stove while it takes on it‘s shape. I’ll give it a few checks during the day and give it a test fit. So far, so good. Submerging it seems to have really helped in stretching the beret - something that never seems to work super easily with a dry beret. I much prefer the method of MdB’s with the ribbon used to fit the beret. I have a large head, I suppose! Usually a 59 or 60 depending on the brand of hat.

For now, it’s beret drying time and time to research those MdB Luxe!

ADK

for me i use a small lawnmower or wheel barrel inner tube to shape it when its wet works out great

 

[Babbo Philipe]

i am pondering letting go of my Dennis Guedon 10 pouce beret i have had in my closet for a few years, originally when i heard he was retiring i bought more, -- his apprenticeship to Sara Goupy saved the style of beret that was his uniqueness to the world ---needless to say i have a drawer of berets so this one sits in my closet , i have tried it on at times but never worn thinking it would be used in the future and safe in the plastic, still has the unique smell of Savon de Marseille Soap which he used

 

[ADK]

i am pondering letting go of my Dennis Guedon 10 pouce beret i have had in my closet for a few years, originally when i heard he was retiring i bought more, -- his apprenticeship to Sara Goupy saved the style of beret that was his uniqueness to the world ---needless to say i have a drawer of berets so this one sits in my closet , i have tried it on at times but never worn thinking it would be used in the future and safe in the plastic, still has the unique smell of Savon de Marseille Soap which he used

A beautiful beret, for sure. Someone will be lucky to have it if you decide to sell it!

I inventoried my beret collection today (and, you know that when you need to go to Excel to take an inventory... it's a collection!) and have a few from Denis and others from Sarah. I'm overloaded with black berets as I did the same --- when Denis was about to retire I bought some additional stock so that I will not likely ever run short of my favorite beret! I agree, though, that Sarah has taken the flame and her berets are just as fine.

I'm thinking a blue for my MdB Luxe. I like the "jean" color, but I think that the navy might be the right ticket for me.

ADK

 

[Babbo Philipe]

A beautiful beret, for sure. Someone will be lucky to have it if you decide to sell it!

I inventoried my beret collection today (and, you know that when you need to go to Excel to take an inventory... it's a collection!) and have a few from Denis and others from Sarah. I'm overloaded with black berets as I did the same --- when Denis was about to retire I bought some additional stock so that I will not likely ever run short of my favorite beret! I agree, though, that Sarah has taken the flame and her berets are just as fine.

I'm thinking a blue for my MdB Luxe. I like the "jean" color, but I think that the navy might be the right ticket for me.

ADK

got the navy its great one of my favorites, the jean was to light ,dark deep blue for me

 

[Mm25]

Heading out on another hike, wool from head to toe.

 

[Fern]

Heading out on another hike, wool from head to toe.
View attachment 485201

Keep those ears warm too, Mike!

 

[Daan]

The New Merinos d'Arles Naturel #2!​

After the instant sell-outs of the éditions 2021 and 2022, there is now a small batch of handmade bérets naturel under the new Orthez label.

There is only a limited number available and it is unknown if these berets will ever return.
The Bérets Merino d’Arles are custom batch-made berets in natural, unbleached and undyed wool of the Merinos d’Arles sheep.

Merino wool from Arles is very hard to source and expensive as a raw material. The knitting, fulling and felting of these berets follows an intricate and difficult process. After years of trials, South Pacific Berets can now -exclusively- offer these Merinos d’Arles berets in the Auloronesa Universel model, fitted with a black liguette (to adjust the size), black cotton lining and the label of Manufacture de Bérets Béarn.

I dare say, these berets are the very best in quality, comfort and craftsmanship one can possibly find!

 

[Fern]

Nice post, Daan.

I was able to get one of those nice unbleached/naturale berets last year from Sarah’s shop with the old label. I also got the green one and I like both a lot. Very thick wool and warm too.

 

[Mm25]

Nice post, Daan.

I was able to get one of those nice unbleached/naturale berets last year from Sarah’s shop with the old label. I also got the green one and I like both a lot. Very thick wool and warm too. View attachment 485671 View attachment 485672

I love the heathered look of the natural wool!

 

[Babbo Philipe]

Nice post, Daan.

I was able to get one of those nice unbleached/naturale berets last year from Sarah’s shop with the old label. I also got the green one and I like both a lot. Very thick wool and warm too. View attachment 485671 View attachment 485672

Got a green one myself pal.

 

[Fern]

Got a green one myself pal.

Nice choice with the green background

 

[alanfgag]

The New Merinos d'Arles Naturel #2!​

After the instant sell-outs of the éditions 2021 and 2022, there is now a small batch of handmade bérets naturel under the new Orthez label.
View attachment 485651 View attachment 485652
There is only a limited number available and it is unknown if these berets will ever return.
The Bérets Merino d’Arles are custom batch-made berets in natural, unbleached and undyed wool of the Merinos d’Arles sheep.
View attachment 485649 View attachment 485650 View attachment 485648
Merino wool from Arles is very hard to source and expensive as a raw material. The knitting, fulling and felting of these berets follows an intricate and difficult process. After years of trials, South Pacific Berets can now -exclusively- offer these Merinos d’Arles berets in the Auloronesa Universel model, fitted with a black liguette (to adjust the size), black cotton lining and the label of Manufacture de Bérets Béarn.
View attachment 485647 View attachment 485646
I dare say, these berets are the very best in quality, comfort and craftsmanship one can possibly find!

Well that is happy news!

 

[Fern]

I love the heathered look of the natural wool!

I hear you! I have a heathered merino Nordic sweater that goes kick ass with that hat. I also realize the French 10 pouce is about the largest I have in my collection. Fits almost like a Spanish 12”.

 

[Fern]

When I think about truly basque people and their beret wearing culture, I see images like this from a time even before Bilbao had its current name.

 

[Fern]

I’m curious if you guys have preferences for how that little tail points when you put your berets on.

I notice with my hats that even if I am aligning the top of the label to the back of my head — that’s what I typically do to put the beret on — then the little tail, also called a rabito o txertena, will sometimes point in different directions instead. Sometimes I prefer the rabito tilt down matching the side of the beret that I am wearing down over my ear.

So I wonder how other people place their hats on and if they think about these things

 

[Daan]

Béret du jour: Chyldish Fear Naught in russet/30

at sunset, Waikawa, Aotearoa.

 

[Fedster]

I’m curious if you guys have preferences for how that little tail points when you put your berets on.

I notice with my hats that even if I am aligning the top of the label to the back of my head — that’s what I typically do to put the beret on — then the little tail, also called a rabito o txertena, will sometimes point in different directions instead. Sometimes I prefer the rabito tilt down matching the side of the beret that I am wearing down over my ear.

So I wonder how other people place their hats on and if they think about these things

I noticed that the cabillu (or whatever people call it) tends to point back, but not square with the label (for all my berets). It is noticeable enough that I, well, noticed it, and not bothersome enough that it bothers me.

It never points forward though, so I assume it is intentional.

 

[Fern]

I noticed that the cabillu (or whatever people call it) tends to point back, but not square with the label (for all my berets). It is noticeable enough that I, well, noticed it, and not bothersome enough that it bothers me.

It never points forward though, so I assume it is intentional.

Hi @Fedster — thanks for responding back. I think I’ve also heard the little tail called cabillu in French. Are all your berets French?

Also, very interesting yours point the same way (back) but not square with the label. So you don’t use the label to find the “front” of the hat, right?

 

[Mm25]

I’m curious if you guys have preferences for how that little tail points when you put your berets on.

I notice with my hats that even if I am aligning the top of the label to the back of my head — that’s what I typically do to put the beret on — then the little tail, also called a rabito o txertena, will sometimes point in different directions instead. Sometimes I prefer the rabito tilt down matching the side of the beret that I am wearing down over my ear.

So I wonder how other people place their hats on and if they think about these things

It’s one thing I never pay attention to. I will reach up and grab it on occasion to adjust the beret without pulling my hair all around, but that’s about it.

 

[Fedster]

Hi @Fedster — thanks for responding back. I think I’ve also heard the little tail called cabillu in French. Are all your berets French?

Also, very interesting yours point the same way (back) but not square with the label. So you don’t use the label to find the “front” of the hat, right?

I am just poorly literate, and I just use 'cabillu' (which I might be mispelling) for all my berets, most of which are actually boinas vascas. I use the label to put the boina on, so the cabillu ends point somewhere back, but at an angle