Few hats boast such an intricate history or have as complex of an association than berets do. On one side, berets have long been worn by various armies worldwide and political revolutionaries worldwide; conversely they have also gained great popularity among women and celebrities worldwide.
Berets originated in Europe during the eighteenth century when soldiers began wearing wool berets as part of their uniforms, setting in motion an ongoing trend. By the twentieth century, it became the symbol for new generations of revolutionary heroes such as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in Cuba; by 1960s rebels and revolutionaries had begun wearing it across France, Ireland, Basque Spain Basque Country Chicano Movement Southwest US among other places.
Berets are flat-topped hats constructed from either soft and warm material like felt, or hard and durable cotton cloth, and lined with fur to provide more comfort in cold temperatures. Their flat or slightly domed brim can be turned backwards or forwards depending on their desired style – especially popular among tank regiments as their design made crawling through small hatchways easier while wearing headphones comfortably. Their popularity continues to increase, especially among Australian soldiers in particular armed forces regiments who adopted them widely during the 1970s.
Berets made their mark in art and culture during this era, worn by artists and writers such as Rembrandt, Matisse, Picasso and Cezanne – among many others – wearing this style. By the twentieth century it had become a trademark look among jazz musicians and other music industry figures; later still it would become popular among celebrities like Public Enemy, Rihanna and Monica Lewinsky among many others.
Berets have long been a beloved fashion and streetwear accessory, particularly in France as a national symbol and internationally. More recently, however, they’ve become an essential element for budding fashionistas worldwide.
Berets have long been seen as symbols of tradition, modernity and nonconformism – yet Laulhere’s artisanal production encapsulates this spirit perfectly. Their production takes two full working days using high-grade raw materials combined with traditional techniques as well as an abundance of experience and knowledge accumulated over many years of production – an object beloved around the world from those just discovering it to those familiar with their cultural significance.
