Berets, Anyone?

[RJR]

I'm becoming very fond of Daan's casquettes.

 

[Trenchfriend]

With a french touch.

 

[Daan]

Germany may not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking of berets, but actually, there is a long and strong tradition of beret-wearing and making in Germany.

The former Berlin mayor Ernst Reuter, for example, was so dedicated to the beret, that even his statues depict him wearing a beret. Similar for writer and Nobel prize winner Heinrich Böll - he was hardly seen without a beret, orBaskemütze, on his head.

These Baskenmütze (German for 'Basque beret') are made in the historical hatters town of Luckenwalde, in the former G.D.R. Or, to be more precise, these berets are a Franco-German co-production: the plain hoods, consisting of pure merino wool, are made by Laulhère in Oloron Sainte Marie and are then modified, lined, "head-banded" and finished in Germany.

The Baskenmütze with external rim is quite different from any other beret at South Pacific Berets, having a small rim of felted-wool sewn on to the head-opening, effectively lifting the beret a few millimeters from the head. The actual head-opening is finished with a strip of black leatherette. The berets are finished with two air vents and an unusual pleasant lining. The combination of the small lift with air vents causes air ventilation between the scalp and the beret, making these berets very comfortable and excellent for warmer conditions.
Diameter 27.5cm. Available in Black and Navy.
https://scontent-syd1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12208366_1063343387050334_7125280637585997129_n.jpg?oh=7a25ed4bf26beeb64f2c8d2017153665&oe=56F41FB4
Limited supply and for one week only at $45.50 or buy 2 and receive a 50% refund on your second Baskenmütze!!
http://southpacificberets.com/specials.php

 

[Daan]

Cartoon made by my friend French artist/author Jean-Claude Pertuzé: "Berets Off to Jonah Lomu".

Lomu, of course, was one of the world's greatest rugby players. He died yesterday in Auckland, unexpectedly.
Needless to point out the links between NZ, Languedoc and Rugby.

 

[Daan]

Berets as Investment?

Le Poilu has been a treasure trove for collectors of uniforms (and berets) for over 30 years. The shop is located at 18 rue Emile Duclaux in the south-west of Paris. Apart from their own stock, the shop acts as an intermediary for hard to find objects.
And to prove what an investment a simple beret can be, here two samples of recently sold berets.

Beret of the French Tank Regiment, 1940, sold for 480,00 € (approx. US $ 540.00):

Beret of the 14th BCA (Battalion Chasseurs Alpin), 1937, sold for 280,00 € (approx. US $ 315.00):

Interesting detail: both are Basque berets, with the cabilliou still in place!

 

[Trenchfriend]

 

[Trenchfriend]

Good warming!

 

[foamy]

One of my recent acquisitions from Daan. A Boina Elósegui Exposición Año 1858, 30 cm. Top notch beret as are all of the berets I've gotten from SPB/Daan. I also purchased a Boina Exposición Super Lujo, 265mm that I like just as well. My first (quality) elastic headbanded berets. They get a bit tight with extended wear, but I've only worn it twice and I expect that it will relax a bit with usage. Quite happy with both berets and would happily recommend them.

 

[Daan]

A long time coming, they are now available: the boinas Espinosa and Tolosa Tupida from Buenos Aires. Due to restrictive (and obstructive) export regulations it has taken over a year to re-stock these berets, but seeing what arrived, it may well have been worth it!

The boinas Espinosa and Tolosa Tupida are made of 100% Argentinian merino wool; soft to the touch, durable, light and extremely comfortable. What better recommendation than that the gauchos of the Argentinian pampas principally wear these berets?

The cotton boinas are durable, light, breathing, super comfortable and simply beautiful!
Now available in three diameters: the un-lined 28cm boina Espinosa, the standard 31cm satin lined boina Tolosa Tupida and the generous Plato Grande in 35cm diameter - the ultimate protection from the sun!

 

[RJR]

Nice additions,Daan.

 

[foamy]

Curious about the elastic in the cotton ones. Do they grip as well as say, the Super lujos? I'm thinking about a beret for the summer sailing season when it's flipp'in hot. Something cool, with a grip that will stay on in good breeze.

 

[Daan]

Curious about the elastic in the cotton ones. Do they grip as well as say, the Super lujos? I'm thinking about a beret for the summer sailing season when it's flipp'in hot. Something cool, with a grip that will stay on in good breeze.

There is actually no elastic in the head-opening. Similar to the one size berets in merino wool, the head-opening consists of a thicker, denser weave of the same material (so cotton, here) which is naturally flexible and stretchable. With summer now arriving here in the Southern Hemisphere, the boina Tolosa Tupida in cotton is my beret of choice and as you may know, we Wellingtonians just have a good laugh when we hear people talking about Chicago being "the Windy City" (I believe Wellington is the windiest city in the world, actually). My cotton boinas do pretty well, except in the worst of gales, which you're not likely to experience in Maryland!

 

[leftyguy]

So, it took me a while but I finally got my wonderful Boinas Elosegui Tolosa 150 stretched sufficiently to fit my big head! Thx Daan, for tempting me to buy one of the last ones

 

[Trenchfriend]

 

[foamy]

Thank you Daan, for your reply—just what I wanted to know. These berets are as addicting as hats.

Lefty, real nice lid. Nice size on you too.

 

[moehawk]

Hey folks!
I'm not a beret guy, whenever I see one I usually pass it by an leave it for somebody who would enjoy it more. But, this one just looked too interesting to pass up.
Please keep in mind when viewing the head shot that I don't really know much about how they are worn. There was a cord hanging from it, so I assumed that was the back.

My guess is the anchor means Navy, but other than that, no clue.
Any other info would be appreciated.

 

[JackieMatra]

The symbol on the blue background is a Ukrainian trident,
which is shown upside-down in your photograph.

 

[moehawk]

Thanks! I wouldn't have thought Ukranian. Any idea of the time period?

 

[JackieMatra]

Post Ukrainian independence, I would suppose, but I have no idea other than that.

The large characters to the right of the "43" are all consonant letters, so they do not make up any word, but are an abbreviation for something.
The sounds of the four consonants are most closely approximated by the Latin letters, TS, Z, P, and K.
I am afraid that I cannot make out the smaller lettering below, at all.

 

[JackieMatra]

Military berets typically have a drawstring at the back which can be used to adjust the fit of the beret, so you are, indeed, wearing it correctly.