The French Beret

[Paul Narramore]

Do you ever wear a French Beret? I am interested in buying one but have been reading some disparaging remarks about them, or rather the wearing or non-wearing of them by the French. Both articles were written by Americans (which explains a few things - British food inedible, British women all fat, etc) and each say that no Frenchman, or almost no Frenchman with perhaps the exception of a few elderly diehards living in the country, would be seen dead in one. Those sold are almost always bought by tourists, mainly American and Brit tourists, and some feel it's a crafty French plan to spot the tourists.

Having bought a beret, if you are brave enough, there are then at least four or five ways of wearing it. With the excess pulled forwards, backwards or to one side or another, this tells the French that not only are you a bloody tourist, but which side of the tracks you are from.

What do you think? Shall I show myself up or shall I stick to my favourite light blue Michelin baseball cap?

 

[André4Renaults]

............."Crafty plan to spot the tourists" wasn't that the thinking behind the yellow headlights? Or were theose NOT using yellow headlights not REALLY tourists???????????????

 

[Snoopy1974]

I'm french and I'm 42 and I've never worn a beret, only my grandfather (born in 1927) worn this kind of "hat". This is typically the classical image of french people in foreign countries: beret, "baguette de pain", "Camenbert", many things which are real, of course, but not all over the country. For the particular example of beret, I can tell you that nobody from 0 to 60 or 70 wear beret nowadays, except maybe in certain areas, but either by old people, or for the folklore...

 

[Paul Narramore]

So Snoopy, if you see a man wearing a beret, would he in the eyes of a Frenchman be a 'figure of fun' or simply a stupid tourist. I'm not sure I'd like to be classified as either of these, however if it is just accepted, that's fine (69yrs and never worn a bowler hat).

 

[pepper]

I own and Wear a bowler hat, does that count? :-D

 

[mr-reno-139]

Mine was a present from another forum member good few years back
Bit risky to wear at speed in my car though ☺

 

[Paul Narramore]

Very nice. I've been reading an online website about the various ways of wearing the beret (berry = UK, be-ray = US) as there is pulled to one side or the other, pulled back, or like yours, pulled forward. It seems only one beret making factory remains in France and the best can be found in the Basque area of Spain.

Incidentally our 2CV club's annual petanque competition took place last night at the Cock Inn at Luddesdown. My partner and I came second whilst my wife and her partner won! (Dammit). Thirteen 2CVs and one Dyane turned up; quite exceptional even for us.