How to Wear a Beret

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 14, 2022

A beret (bare-ay) is a popular cold weather accessory that not only keeps your head warm, but looks great, too! You can style your beret a number of ways or stick to a classic look with a black beret. When choosing the color of your beret, you can match your coat or your hair. You can also pick a bright color to add interest to your outfit. Pair your berets with your clothing to create a pulled-together look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adjusting and Styling Your Beret

1
Tuck the brim under the beret. Every beret has a brim that fits snug on your head and holds the beret in place. Tuck the brim up and under the excess fabric of the beret. Then puff out the fabric of the beret so it hides the edge of the beret. Tilt the beret to 1 side, with the front of the beret pulled down to your eyebrow.^{[1]
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2
Create volume with your beret. Keep the brim tight against your head, and tilt the beret slightly to one side. Then pull gently on the top of the beret so the fabric pulls away from your head. This should create space between the top of your head and the top of your beret, rather than it sitting flat against your head.^{[2]
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- You can also smooth down the part of the beret that sits over your ear for a variation of this look.
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3
Pin the beret to the back of your head. Place the beret at the crown of your head and secure it with bobby pins around the brim. How many bobby pins you need will depend on how thick your hair is, but placing 1 every 1 in (2.5 cm) is a good place to start. Pull the fabric at the front of the beret very gently so that the beret shows just above the top of your hair.^{[3]
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- Create more height in your beret by rolling up a silk scarf and stuffing it in the front of the beret. Then pin the beret on.
4
Tilt the beret to one side. The trim of the beret should make about a 45-degree angle across your forehead. If you part your hair on the side of your head, tilt your beret in the opposite direction for contrast.^{[4]
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5
Straighten your hair if it will show under your beret. The classic beret look calls for straight hair hanging under your beret. It doesn’t matter what length your hair is, as long as at least part of it peeks out from under the beret. Straighten your hair and then brush it out.^{[5]
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6
Use your curls to balance your beret. Having curly hair doesn't mean you can't wear a beret. Simply use your fingers to fluff out the curls on the side of your head opposite to the beret’s tilt.^{[6]
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7
Avoid high hairstyles. High ponytails, buns, or braids can warp the shape of your beret. If you're planning on wearing one, avoid those hairstyles. Instead, opt for low ponytails and braids, or just wear your hair loose!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing the Fabric of Your Beret

1
Choose a knit beret for a comfortable, casual look. Knit berets – whether made from wool or cotton – are super comfy. Because they also look very casual, you can pair 1 with your most casual looks. Choose a knit beret and style it your favorite way.^{[7]
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2
Use a leather beret for a modern twist. A leather – as opposed to knit – beret will make this classic style look more modern. Simply choose a leather (or faux leather) beret and style it the same way.^{[8]
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Select a cotton beret for everyday wear. If you want to incorporate a beret into your everyday outfit, pick one made from cotton. It will be casual enough for everyday wear, but not so casual that it clashes with whatever you're wearing.
4
Pick a lined beret to wear in cold weather. Lined berets will have a thin layer of material inside of the hat. They'll keep your head warmer than an unlined beret, which makes them a perfect choice for cold weather.
5
Choose an unlined beret to wear in warm weather. As the weather gets warmer, you can swap out your lined beret for one without lining. You'll be able to maintain your look without your head getting sweaty in the heat!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Pairing an Outfit with Your Beret

1
Choose a camel beret with dark clothing. A black jacket or sweater paired with a camel-colored beret will create a great sense of contrast. This is an especially great look if you have light to medium brown hair.^{[9]
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2
Match your beret to your coat. Berets are usually a cold weather accessory, so you’re likely to be wearing a coat along with your beret. Pull your look together by matching the color of your beret to the color of your coat. You can match colors exactly, or just use similar shades.^{[10]
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- For example, you can pair a bright red beret and coat together. Or you can pair a blue coat with blue beret in a lighter shade.
3
Wear a brightly colored beret for a pop of color. An unexpected bright, bold color can add just the right amount of pop to an outfit. You’ll get the most impact if you pair a bright beret with muted, neutral tones, but you pair your bold beret with similar colors in your clothing.^{[11]
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- For example, if you're wearing an all-black or neutral outfit, add a bright red beret.
4
Match your beret to your hair color. If you’re planning on wearing your beret regularly, matching it your hair color ensures that it always looks coordinated. Blondes should choose white or beige berets, brunettes should choose brown berets, and anyone with black hair should choose black berets.
5
Wear a beret with a feminine outfit. Matching the beret with a feminine look makes the beret itself look more feminine. You can match the color of your beret to your outfit, or use contrasting colors.^{[12]
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- For example, you can pair your beret with a billowy dress and flats, or a delicate blouse and heels.
6
Pair a beret with an oversized sweater. The slouchiness of a beret matches an oversized sweater well. Pair them with slim pants and flats shoes to balance your outfit.^{[13]
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- For example, you can pair a cream-colored beret with a an oversized cream-colored sweat and black skinny jeans or leggings.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I wear an NZ military beret?

Community Answer

Most of the time you shouldn't wear a military beret unless you are in the military. However, if you really want to, follow the steps in this article.
Question

What does a tilted beret mean?

Community Answer

It means you don't wear it on top of your head; you wear it slanted, with one end of it close to the top of your head.
Question

Can I wear a wool beret in the summer?

Community Answer

You can, but you might get a little warm.