Types of Berets | 23 Styles and Different Kinds of Beret Hats

1. French Beret

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Berets originated in France and Spain in the 19^th century, and therefore, French Berets are the oldest and the original style of Berets. Berets are a part of the French identity and, therefore, worn on most French national holidays and commemoration days. They can also be worn casually or when a person wants to convey his French pride.

Although less popular these days, French Berets can never go out of style. They are perennially in vogue; however, they are most suitable for winter and fall because they are generally made of wool or wool alternatives, i.e., warmer fabrics. They have an easily recognizable round shape and a small tail on the top, at the crown’s center.

Wearers can wear them straight or tilted, but in any way, French Berets always add a lot of style to your overall appearance.

2. Military Style or Classic

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Military Berets are shaped with a slight tilt, or excess material pulled towards the right side of the wearer’s head. This is the classic style of wearing Military Berets, and the Coat of Arms badge of the military is pinned on the left raised part. Most military uniforms use berets that are round initially, and the wearer shapes it according to the rule of the regiment by dipping it in water and pulling the excess to the right.

However, if you want a Military beret for casual wearing, you can purchase them pre-shaped. Each regiment has its own style of shaping it, some have a canal in the center, but all are pulled and slated towards the right.

Forces of various countries have color-coded berets to represent seniority. It is best to get your hair closely cropped before wearing a Military Beret to make it look most stylish.

3. Beret Beanie

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Beanies are those hats that fit loosely on the head. There are slight pinches all over due to the loose fit. If they hang from the back, they are known as slouchy beanies. A Beret Beanie is a combination of Beanie and a Beret because the shape is round and the size is bigger than the usual beanie, giving it a fluffier look.

Unlike French Berets, Beret Beanies don’t have the tail at the top. These are generally made of warmer fabrics and have very beautiful knits, making them look extremely fashionable. They cover the heads and ears well, protecting them against the cold.

4. Flat Top Beret

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Flat Top Berets are made of materials such as leather or suede that retain the hat’s shape. These hats are completely flat from the top. They don’t even have a tail, and they fit slightly higher on the forehead to prevent touching the top of the head and losing their shape.

These have a distinct gap between the rim and the crown. The rim is smaller while the crown is wider. Once worn, it fits the head well, and the crown remains flat.

5. Reversible Beret

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Reversible Berets are more design-oriented than shape-oriented. Beret of any style can be reversible if it can be worn inside out also. These are generally made of thinner fabric and has a double layer construction. The lack of warmth due to thinner fabric is compensated for by the double-layered construction, and additionally, this makes the beret reversible.

This is a very unique, convenient, fashionable, and economical option. At times, the inside and the outside have different colors, making it suitable for different outfits. This brings the economics to the fore, because you get two hats in one. Further, if they have both the layers of the same color, then they last longer before needing a wash.

6. Leather Beret (PU, FAUX)

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Leather Beret is again a categorization of fabric than of the shape of the Beret.  They can have a tailor a buckle closure at the rim. Those with the tail have a shape very similar to the newsboy hats, with the stitching making it look like a 6-sliced pizza. However, there are other shapes, too, such as the tilted beret.

These can be made from Real or Faux leather or even PU, and they look very good with formal and casual wear.  Their wearer can look artistic and stylish at the same time. Leather Berets are mostly solid in color as decorations are not always possible on leather.

7. Wool Beret

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As the name suggests, Wool Berets are made of wool or wool alternatives such as suede. They can take many shapes, such as that of a French Beret or a Flat Top Beret. Wool Berets can range from solid colors to highly decorative pieces. Some have holes, buttons, printed patterns, and a lot more styles and looks. These give the wearer a distinct personality and add style to his wardrobe.

8. Mohair Berets

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Mohair Berets are a recent development in the Beret community and have originated in Poland in 2004. These represent solidarity with the Polish Conservative-nationalistic Catholic movement. Mohair Berets are made from the yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat.

Older women mostly wore mohair Berets; however, post the Polish movement, they have become unisex and a symbol of solidarity towards certain political groups.

Since its popularity in Polish politics, Mohair Beret has become a part of the pop culture with Musicians such as Big Cyc & Kabaret OT.TO coming up with Mohair themed songs.

9. Straw Beret

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The straw beret was invented to bring out the fashionable beret look in the summer seasons. These are lightweight, breathable berets made of straw. The weave construction and the material make it appropriate in summer and spring seasons or hot weather.

These have become an indispensable part of beach and sunbathing-wear as they protect the wearer against the sun and keep their heads cool too.

Therefore, straw berets can take any shape, presenting a variety of options suiting to the wearer’s personality.

Most straw berets are handwoven, and some even use the traditional Ecuadorian Toquilla weave, making them even more special.

10. Cashmere Beret

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Similar to a Wool Beret, Cashmere Beret is also a categorization based on material. Cashmere is made from Cashmere and Pashmina Goats and makes the beret extremely soft to wear. These can be beautifully decorated and are a fashion statement displaying the wearer’s immense insight into style.

Cashmere Berets are perfect for formal and casual occasions. However, these are mostly preferred as formal-wear, not only because they are expensive, but because they go very well with formal wear and look beautiful in sober and pastel colors.

11. Tam Beret

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Tam Beret is actually not a Beret. It is a mix of Tam o’ Shanter military Cap and a Beret. In the 1920s, when closer fitted hats were entering the vogue, Tam cap became extremely popular. These caps were made from Scottish wool and had a pompom at the center of the crown.

As the body measured approximately twice the forehead band’s measure, the shape looked similar to a Beret. Therefore, the Tam caps are sometimes also known as a regional variant of Berets.

12. Corduroy Beret

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Corduroy Beret is a material categorization rather a beret design. As it is evident from the name, it is made of corduroy. This is a raised fabric very common in pants and jackets. Nowadays, the material is made from tufted cords laid in a parallel fashion.

The style of the beret may vary; the only thing that remains common is the corduroy material. Further, the wearable season also varies based on the raw material used in corduroy formation. These can be cotton, wool, or any other material, and therefore, depending upon that, the beret can be worn in an appropriate season.

13. Fur Beret

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Fur Beret is again a material categorization rather than a beret design. Evidently, Fur Beret is made of fur. The source animal varies but can include rabbit or sheep fur and sometimes faux fur or any other synthetic material.

Again, the beret style may vary; the only thing that remains common is the corduroy material. However, unlike corduroy berets, fur berets are more appropriate for cold weather only. If faux fur or synthetic materials are used, the beret is given an inner lining to make it appropriate to be worn in cold weather.

14. Decorated Beret

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Berets can be simple material constructions or can have decoration pieces on them. The one with some kind of decoration is known as a decorated beret. The decoration can vary on many parameters, such as the items used in decoration, how the decoration items are arranged, and the occasion for which decorated berets can be used.

Some common decoration items are pearl beads, ribbons, bows, face veils, sequins, etc. At times less is more, so if decorations are all over, berets are less suitable for formal occasions. While subtle decorations look better with formal wear.

15. Sequins Beret

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Sequins Beret is a categorization based on the decoration of the Beret. These are very attractive berets with sequence work. It adds a lot of glamor to the wearer; however, the wearer should have the style to pull it off. Not every wearer can have a don a Sequins Beret in style.

Sequins Beret is not everyday wear. However, if used right, nothing can take the place of a Sequins Beret. Further, the styles and decorations vary. Some berets are completely covered in sequins, while others might have only a few. However, there isn’t a doubt that sequins can make a beret much more stylish.

16. Beret With Veil Design

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Beret with a veil is a design categorization. These are beautiful constructions with a meshed veil that add poise to the wearer. The length of the veil is generally short and covers mostly the eyes or the forehead. At times, it is merely a decoration covering only the beret’s body. However, there is no rule for the length; it can even come down to the wearer’s shoulders or be even longer.

These are perfect for formal occasions, and the beret underneath can have many different styles and additional decorations such as bows and ribbons.

17. Pearl Beaded Beret

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Pearl Beaded Beret is another decoration categorization. Berets of different styles can have pearl beads as decoration making them more fashionable, stylish, and attractive. Pearls can be sprinkled all over the beret or just around the brim or any combination of the too.

The arrangement defines the occasion suitability of the beret. If sprinkled all over, it is more of a casual look; however, when arranged on the brim in a cluster and a few diamonds, they become formal berets. Formal berets go very well with ballroom dresses and add elegance to the wearer’s attire.

18. Beret With Pom

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A beret with a pom is very similar to a Tam Beret; however, Pom berets can be made from different kinds of wool rather than Scottish wool. The pom is mostly made of fur, but it can sometimes be a knotted ball of wool.

These are very stylish, and based on their construction, they go well with different occasions. The formal Pom berets could be made from velvet and have a delicate and small fur pom, while the casual ones can be knit from wool and have a big pom on the top. The pom placement is generally at the center of the crown; however, some military-style berets might have it towards the right over the slant to make it more stylish.

19. Slouchy Beret

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Slouchy Beret is an amalgamation of a beanie and a beret. The slouch is similar to a beanie but slightly less pronounced, and the construction is well rounded like a beret. The slouch hangs at the back or in an equal circle. It results from the body being bigger than the brim and the softer foldable material being used. At times, the slouch is not even intentional but an outcome of gravity.

The material defines the occasion. If made of knitted or coarser materials, slouchy berets are worn casually, but these can be worn semi-formally if made from cashmere.

20. Beret Cloche Hat

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Cloche hats are bell-shaped hats named after the French word for the bell  – ‘cloche.’ Beret Cloche Hats are similar to cloche hats; however, the crown is more pronounced, and there is an accent on the right side of the hat, somewhat similar to the military beret. These very closely resemble the Middle-eastern turban but are slightly tilted.

These have a thick structure for which padding is used to make the hat. Further, they are decorated with lacework, beads, stone, and threadwork to give them a royal look. These can give the wearer an imperial look and make her feel like an empress.

21. Summer Beret

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Summer beret is a beret suitable to be worn in hot weather. It can be made from any non-warm material such as straw, cotton, leather, etc. These needn’t be too casual. They can have a formal look like that of a Beret with a veil. It all boils down to the material used.

These are mostly worn for style or looking fashionable and not for keeping the wearer warm or protect him against the sun. Pairing a summer beret with sunglasses can make you look extremely artistic and fashionable at the same time.

22. Chef Beret

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Chef beret is the laid-back cousin of the stern Chef Toque. The only difference is that the chef beret doesn’t have a neck. The body of the beret is floppy and hangs on all sides.

It brings out the chef’s personality and makes him look like a food genius who can innovate food like no one else. It is a recent addition to the chef’s uniform and is still not accepted in many traditional and upscale places. However, these are very common in French pastry shops.

23. Kids Beret

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Kids beret is a smaller-sized beret fitting the heads of young boys and girls. At times, these are very small and barely cover the kids’ heads making a lot of hair show. This is a great fashionable look to go with hair bangs. However, all other styles of berets are also available for kids, especially the French Beret, Slouchy Beret, and Military Beret.

Generally, kids beret have cute decorations such as bows, ribbons, pearls, or even an imitated coat of arms to make them look more attractive.