How to Wear a Beret Properly

Berets need to be positioned just right.

Berets of all fabrics and colors have become widespread fashion accessories, going beyond their associations with French culture, poets and the military. Cozy in winter, but slouchy enough that they don't ruin your hairstyle, berets are a versatile choice, and can be worn at any time of year. But their stretchy circular shape can intimidate a first-time wearer. Before you go out on the town in a beret, you'll want to know how to arrange and position it properly on your head.

Instructions

1. Place the beret at an angle for a more traditional look. This is how berets are worn in stereotypical images of the French or of beatnik poets. Though old-fashioned, this style works well if you have a more old-fashioned style of beret, made of a stiffer fabric, rather than a knit beret.

2. Center the beret for a modern look. Celebrities from Mary-Kate Olson to Rhianna have helped to popularize the centered beret style. Push the beret back so it rests over the crown of your head, but don't let it sit too far back or it might end up looking like a shower cap.

3. Let your hair hang loose and frame your face. Don't gather it back into the beret. Berets are meant to sit on the hair, not to cover it. If you want to cover your hair, wear a snood instead.

4. Lay the beret flat. Don't try to puff it up or wear it tightly against the head. Modern berets are designed to slouch and hang down naturally.

References

• The Gloss: How to Wear a Modern Beret
• Ssasy Chic: Winter Hat Trends: Berets
• Grace N Glamor: Get Cozy with a Beret or Snood