Love that metaphor. And yes, with the right outfit, a beret can indeed be great, as all of your examples show. (You’re right, older people usually look amazing in them.) I have fleece berets in a couple of colors that Paa came out with back in 2020. Do I second guess myself sometimes when I catch a glimpse in the mirror? Sure. But other times, they feel great and really add something.
Years ago, I bought a vintage beret and have literally only worn it once, but it was a great look. Now it sits in my closet, waiting for me to come back around.
Okay, I just tried it on and it's too small to go around my locs. Maybe I can size up... or cut my hair.... my point is, you've inspired me to try again.
The sauce one must possess to rock a propellor hat is just towering compared to your everyday mortal, but it does exist. I was walking the riverside in Chicago a few years back and got into a looong conversation with Charles Wheeler, @propellerbeaniemaker on ig, and we talked about his love of aviation, cursed employers, workers rights, and the twists and turns of life in general. He had a big bristly beard, the loveliest jovial air around him, and yes, a colorful propellor hat that might’ve been a part of him for how well it fit his overall welcoming energy - a man who hasn’t lost touch with his inner child. I’m not advocating for more people to wear propellor hats, but maybe to recognize and adopt an energy-first approach to how you present yourself. And if you DO want to give a ‘prop a try, Charles makes a damn fine one 👑
Of course older people favour berets: the older you get, the more relentlessly practical (it saves precious energy!). Berets keep your head warm and can be stuffed in any tailored jacket's hip pocket, unlike a lot of peaked caps. And unlike a beanie they won't leave the imprint of a knitted rib all across your high, slack-skinned forehead. Plus they can enhance your presence above the neckline long after your hair has betrayed and abandoned you.
Came to see if anyone has recommended Hats by Amy Downs. I love her guileless html-y website and whimsical cashmere headwear (including not only a beret but also a pillbox, an old school cartoony “skating” (as in ice) hat, and a knot hat reminiscent of the row’s from a few years ago). Have been on the cusp of copping for probably three years and this could be the push!! https://www.hatsbyamydowns.com/winter-hats.html
"The first few times I left the house in it, I felt like a fraud". So many things in life can trigger that feeling when you're starting them... And then panache just develops!
My friends, it appears that Ferrara is wearing a fedora in this picture? He looks great, but no beret, I say. When I zoom I see a wide brim, and a clear fedora emerges in cross referenced Cannes photos from the same year. The guy to his right (our left) is without question topping up with a beret.
I think Alex is riding a Rivendell Rambouillet in the clip, not that he doesn't have a fine-ass Sequoia! No one dresses better on a bike, have to wonder how he keeps the grease off the pants.
1. Interesting. But no matter what you think a camera actually captured on that day, and no matter what other images from different angles may or may not reveal, unknowable cosmic forces more vast and powerful than any of us want us, here and now, to perceive that image as capturing Abel Ferrara in a beret. I don’t make the rules
2. Alex may be himself mistaken but i asked him prepublication what bike he’s riding in that video and he told us sequoia
In conclusion: Fact Check appreciated but REBUFFED on both counts 😉
Spike Lee goes heavy on the berets as well, and rocks them in ways I feel only Spike Lee could. He does sometime look assuredly goofy wearing them, but I've always felt they served as deliberately soft reminders of the kind of heartfelt political resistance he embodies.
This has come at the perfect time. I purchased a xenia telunts snug scarf bucket hat last year and have really struggled to work it into my daily outfits and often feel like a fraud in it. Temperatures on Saturday forced me into wearing it on the cold foggy london streets and i was certainly getting some looks but really enjoyed pushing it. anyway its good to know everyone feels this way
Loved this post. I always thought about wearing a ambitious piece of clothing as breaking in a wild horse. At first it bucks you around and you feel out of control, unsafe even, but soon you settle in and become one. I bought a Bode crocheted shirt a year and a half ago that has that always made me feel very off balance. I finally got some solid wears in this past weekend in Miami and I feel like the mare has stopped bucking.
As someone who absolutely ADORES anchovies, I COULD NOT LOVE THIS POST MORE 😂
Love that metaphor. And yes, with the right outfit, a beret can indeed be great, as all of your examples show. (You’re right, older people usually look amazing in them.) I have fleece berets in a couple of colors that Paa came out with back in 2020. Do I second guess myself sometimes when I catch a glimpse in the mirror? Sure. But other times, they feel great and really add something.
wow totally memoryholed the paa berets, good call
Yeah, they’re just the right balance of traditional and sporty. The pull on the back is my favorite detail.
I'm sorry but you'll have to fight me to take my propeller hat away from me.
😳
Years ago, I bought a vintage beret and have literally only worn it once, but it was a great look. Now it sits in my closet, waiting for me to come back around.
Okay, I just tried it on and it's too small to go around my locs. Maybe I can size up... or cut my hair.... my point is, you've inspired me to try again.
hope we can figure out a way to make this work 🔥
The sauce one must possess to rock a propellor hat is just towering compared to your everyday mortal, but it does exist. I was walking the riverside in Chicago a few years back and got into a looong conversation with Charles Wheeler, @propellerbeaniemaker on ig, and we talked about his love of aviation, cursed employers, workers rights, and the twists and turns of life in general. He had a big bristly beard, the loveliest jovial air around him, and yes, a colorful propellor hat that might’ve been a part of him for how well it fit his overall welcoming energy - a man who hasn’t lost touch with his inner child. I’m not advocating for more people to wear propellor hats, but maybe to recognize and adopt an energy-first approach to how you present yourself. And if you DO want to give a ‘prop a try, Charles makes a damn fine one 👑
Dude sounds tight
Of course older people favour berets: the older you get, the more relentlessly practical (it saves precious energy!). Berets keep your head warm and can be stuffed in any tailored jacket's hip pocket, unlike a lot of peaked caps. And unlike a beanie they won't leave the imprint of a knitted rib all across your high, slack-skinned forehead. Plus they can enhance your presence above the neckline long after your hair has betrayed and abandoned you.
You make some great points but: “high and slack skinned forehead??” Chill ! 😅
Chill... yeah don't worry, I feel the chill whenever I stick my shiny skull out the door. 😐
I’m a hat lover, not limited to berets. Your graphic left out my favorite, the cowgirl hat!
The style advice the lame stream media doesn’t want you to hear 😤
Came to see if anyone has recommended Hats by Amy Downs. I love her guileless html-y website and whimsical cashmere headwear (including not only a beret but also a pillbox, an old school cartoony “skating” (as in ice) hat, and a knot hat reminiscent of the row’s from a few years ago). Have been on the cusp of copping for probably three years and this could be the push!! https://www.hatsbyamydowns.com/winter-hats.html
And what a website to boot
The pillbox is a go. A gem of a operation
Similar vibe, unbelievably charming. The iguana jester hat is a must.
https://www.themouseworks.com/index.htm
"The first few times I left the house in it, I felt like a fraud". So many things in life can trigger that feeling when you're starting them... And then panache just develops!
Will be immediately wearing my Barbour / structured cream beret combo next time I go out.
My friends, it appears that Ferrara is wearing a fedora in this picture? He looks great, but no beret, I say. When I zoom I see a wide brim, and a clear fedora emerges in cross referenced Cannes photos from the same year. The guy to his right (our left) is without question topping up with a beret.
I think Alex is riding a Rivendell Rambouillet in the clip, not that he doesn't have a fine-ass Sequoia! No one dresses better on a bike, have to wonder how he keeps the grease off the pants.
1. Interesting. But no matter what you think a camera actually captured on that day, and no matter what other images from different angles may or may not reveal, unknowable cosmic forces more vast and powerful than any of us want us, here and now, to perceive that image as capturing Abel Ferrara in a beret. I don’t make the rules
2. Alex may be himself mistaken but i asked him prepublication what bike he’s riding in that video and he told us sequoia
In conclusion: Fact Check appreciated but REBUFFED on both counts 😉
Bicycle ID humbly withdrawn! I'll be dispatching an Edible Arrangement and apology note, directly 🍍
Spike Lee goes heavy on the berets as well, and rocks them in ways I feel only Spike Lee could. He does sometime look assuredly goofy wearing them, but I've always felt they served as deliberately soft reminders of the kind of heartfelt political resistance he embodies.
This has come at the perfect time. I purchased a xenia telunts snug scarf bucket hat last year and have really struggled to work it into my daily outfits and often feel like a fraud in it. Temperatures on Saturday forced me into wearing it on the cold foggy london streets and i was certainly getting some looks but really enjoyed pushing it. anyway its good to know everyone feels this way
Loved this post. I always thought about wearing a ambitious piece of clothing as breaking in a wild horse. At first it bucks you around and you feel out of control, unsafe even, but soon you settle in and become one. I bought a Bode crocheted shirt a year and a half ago that has that always made me feel very off balance. I finally got some solid wears in this past weekend in Miami and I feel like the mare has stopped bucking.
My wife has one of these berets. Defo check out:
https://ilanablumberg.co.uk/pages/collections-projects