Eiffel Tower kitsch for 1 euro or a staple of timeless elegance? The beret is back on the list of top trends for fall 2025!
It must be stated bluntly: the beret doesn't originate in France. This headgear has a rather colorful past, and its connection to France is only one fragment of that history. Around 3,500 years ago, the first berets were worn on the Greek island of Crete. The design we see today, the beret, had its origins in the Basque region of France and Spain, where it was worn by shepherds to protect them from strong gusts of wind. From there, it wasn't long before it reached Paris, and in 1840, thanks to the legendary French beret brand Maison Laulhère, it became a part of French culture... forever. Although it appeared in the homes of the world's most important designers, it was ultimately sold under the Eiffel Tower for 1 euro as a tourist souvenir and a symbol of kitsch. What went wrong?
Before reaching the fashion world, the distinctive headgear with its small "antenna" had been worn by French and American soldiers (the blue berets of the UN and the green of the US Special Forces) since the 18th century. It then found its way onto the heads of history's most important revolutionaries, including Che Guevara and the Black Panthers. In the 1930s, it was "passed on" to a completely different revolutionary, Coco Chanel, who demonstrated that it could be worn with class, chic, and grace. This completely transformed the beret, which could begin its ascent to the fashion world. As soon as it entered the fashion scene, it was worn by the most important screen stars of the time: Brigitte Bardot and Greta Garbo.
By the 1960s, it was already one of the most recognizable and coveted headwear, worn by Jane Birkin, and later by Bianca Jagger and Joni Mitchell. The 1990s were a milestone in its image. Besides being worn by the most important names in show business (including Janet Jackson, Christy Turlington, Tyra Banks, and even Princess Diana ), it began appearing in designer collections. In the 1990s, the beret was featured by Chanel, Alaïa, and Fendi.
It was so distinctive and striking that stylists incorporated it into movie costumes, for example, Julia Roberts wore it in "Notting Hill," and after 2000, it appeared on Andy Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada" and Blair Waldorf in "Gossip Girl." Berets in a wide variety of styles, not only made of wool but also of shiny materials, sequins, and rhinestones, were worn by stars like Britney Spears, Cher, Beyoncé, and Paris Hilton.
Julia Roberts in a beret outfit / still from the movie Notting HillUntil around 2010, the beret enjoyed immense popularity, which began to wane over the years. Attempts to "save" its image proved futile. The final nail in the beret's "fashion coffin" came from the childish connotation it was given. The Netflix production "Emily in Paris" may be partly to blame. The eclectic American decided to conquer Paris in a beret, attempting to pay tribute to the fashion capital, only to land it in even deeper trouble. Her image, often perceived as kitschy, topped with a beret, resembled more of a fashion joke than a celebration of Parisian heritage.
Beret from the series Emily in Paris / still from the series - NetflixBut there are more such examples. Take Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City." When visiting Paris, she had to wear a beret, of course. And while it was original and truly striking, it was still a beret in Paris. Why couldn't she stroll around New York in it? Such practices, strongly associating the beret with France, made it a tourist attraction, not a fashion symbol of the city. Treated as a temporary disguise, not a fashionable styling element. In truth, we never know if someone is wearing one fashionably or if it's simply one of those things, like a Norwegian sweater or a Mexican sombrero – reserved only for vacation. As stylists argue: Want to commit a fashion faux pas? Wear a beret in Paris.
Fashion for autumn and winter 2025 - beret for the gameDesigners, however, decided to demystify the beret's image and presented it in a modern version for the fall/winter season. In a very chic version, with a slightly modified shape and a pearl in place of the antenna, it appeared in the Dior collection.
Dior - Fall 2025 Fashion ShowAt the Giorgio Armani show, an evening version of the beret appeared, accompanying elegant dresses and styles for big occasions.
Beret at the Giorgio Armani fall show. Photo: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD / Getty Images
Fashionable outfits with a beret as the main element. Photo: Raimonda Kulikauskiene / Getty Images
Beret and suit - a fashionable look for fall 2025. Photo: Raimonda Kulikauskiene / Getty Images
Beret and checkered outfit - fashion for fall 2025. Photo: Jeremy Moeller / Getty Images
Beret in black & white version Photo. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
