Berets, Anyone?

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

Daan, a question and an observation about the last photo of
the two Chasseurs Ardennes soldiers standing by their bicycles.

I wonder are these reenactors or are they actual soldiers?
I notice that their berets are pulled down to the right side.

I pull my berets to the right because I am lefthanded and my habitual action is
to use my right hand to pull down the beret over my right ear.

i have seen myriad photos of French Chasseurs Alpins and 90% of the time
the berets are worn pulled down on the left; compared to our two Belgian Chasseurs Ardennes.

I like the boar insignia. A boar is featured in the Franch 9e bataillon Chasseurs Alpins.

The green color is not one I have seen before.
Is that a special Belgium color?

Plus, by Laulhere.

 

[Daan]

What started as a stunningly beautiful day in a summer-like Wellington this morning quickly turned sour for me when dropping off parcels at my local post office.

Overnight NZ Post has changed the fares on international parcels. Not by the usual 3 or 5 percent, but by 80% (Australia); 75% (United States); 45% (Canada, UK & Europe) and around 50% for most other countries!
Needless to say this comes as a shock and I seriously wonder how much longer my now 12 year old beret business will be viable.

Today and tomorrow will be largely spent behind my desk, updating shipping costs in PayPal...
Foreseeing that sales will further drop than they have done already over the last 6 (covid)-months, shipping prices will rise by around 20% only for the time being - the rest absorbed by SPB.
Those who were thinking to place an order anyway, do it now - beat me and get yourself a bargain!
Sad post... Apologies.

 

[Daan]

Daan, a question and an observation about the last photo of
the two Chasseurs Ardennes soldiers standing by their bicycles.

I wonder are these reenactors or are they actual soldiers?
I notice that their berets are pulled down to the right side.

I pull my berets to the right because I am lefthanded and my habitual action is
to use my right hand to pull down the beret over my right ear.

i have seen myriad photos of French Chasseurs Alpins and 90% of the time
the berets are worn pulled down on the left; compared to our two Belgian Chasseurs Ardennes.

I like the boar insignia. A boar is featured in the Franch 9e bataillon Chasseurs Alpins.

The green color is not one I have seen before.
Is that a special Belgium color?

Plus, by Laulhere.

Good to get "back to business as it should be", after my previous post.
Yes, Bouwerij_Jongen, the pictures of these Chasseurs Ardennais are re-enactors, the uniforms those of the WWII-years. These re-enactments are popular in the Ardennes; the Chasseurs Ardennais is an elite unit similar to the French Alpins.

The bicycles were then an essential part of the regiment, as it's origins lie in a "Wielrijders Regiment", an infantry regiment on bicycles.
The origin of the Chasseurs Ardennais started with a concept conceived in 1914 by Colonel Bremer and pushed further by General Albert Hellebaut in 1928: the creation of a corps on the east border of Belgium, near Germany, in order to protect against a German attack. They were envisaged as a counterpart to the French Chasseurs Alpins light infantry, which inspired the uniform and traditions of the Chasseurs Ardennais but were intended to serve as bicycle infantry with responsibility for guarding the Belgian frontier in the Ardennes.

On 10 March 1933, King Albert I changed the unit's name from "10e de ligne" to "Régiment des Chasseurs Ardennais". Subsequently, these soldiers, stationed in Arlon, wore a wild boar emblem, signifying the Ardennes, on their green Basque-style berets.

You are correct re the way they pull the beret, to the right. It's an interesting story actually; the relatively small Basque berets were/are no hindrance to aiming a ***, but the very large "Tartes" of the Chasseurs Alpins would get in the way of the right eye when pulled to the right.

Since most people, including Chasseurs, are right-handed, it was made a rule to pull the tarte to the left.

And yes, the colour is a special shade of green that Laulhère exclusively makes for the Chasseurs Ardennais.

 

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

Daan, those are all great photos Belgium Chasseurs Ardennais
showing you can wear your beret pulled left or right.

 

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

I sometines run across a vintage carte postale from France that shows someone wearing a beret.
but this postcard photo is my best one yet.
It is from a booklet of photos of Cauterets which is now a spa town/ski resort and commune in the
Hautes Pyrenees just up the hill from Lourdes.
The photo features local hiking guides.
Each guide is wearing a beret and they are a diverse group.

 

[Daan]

I sometines run across a vintage carte postale from France that shows someone wearing a beret.
but this postcard photo is my best one yet.
It is from a booklet of photos of Cauterets which is now a spa town/ski resort and commune in the
Hautes Pyrenees just up the hill from Lourdes.
The photo features local hiking guides.
Each guide is wearing a beret and they are a diverse group.
View attachment 263330

That is a great picture - good find!
Nice to see, but makes me sad too - reminding me of my friend Jean-Claude Pertuzé, who died earlier this year. He was a keen mountaineer, a treasure trove on French mountaineering history and would have been able to name many of the guides pictured.
This is a drawing by him of Armand Charlet (1900 –1975), was a famous French mountaineer and mountain guide:

Charlet was amongst the most celebrated mountaineers and guides of his era.
Claire Engel commented,
"He was head and shoulders above anyone else. His name has been associated for almost fifty years with the toughest climbs in the range of Mont Blanc. All those who have been with him in the mountains have been struck by his impresssive, almost tragic face, his intelligence and culture, and above all by his speed and poise when climbing,"
and Wilfrid Noyce stated that "It was amusing to note how Armand's pre-eminence was recognized by the other guides and hut-keepers. His word was law."

He made 3,000 ascents and guided over 1,200 friends and clients – of whom a third were women. He specialised in ascents of the Aiguille Verte in the Mont Blanc massif, which he climbed 100 times by fourteen different routes, including seven first ascents.

He featured in many of the first mountain films, a genre that developed after the First World War. He was the central character in À l'assaut des aiguilles du Diable (Marcel Ichac, 1942), a mountain film that Engel rates as "little short of a masterpiece".

During the Second World War, Charlet used his mountaineering skills in assisting people to cross the frontier, in defiance of the Germans.
And yes, always with a large beret...

 

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

As the weather goes to cool then to hot, then to warm and back to cool.
my Flamingo berets W6200 in wine and W400 in deep rust are
just right for moderalely cool weather.
The head bands are of a limited flex woven band that is
comfortable.
Using the velcro tab hidden on the back side of the headband,
you can adjust for individual sizes.
Berets are unlined so good for intermediate temperatures.

 

[Cepice]

@Bouwerij_Jongen, late to respond, but I'm sincerely sorry for the losses of your friends and family. Willamette and Cascade valley are legendary for their hops, of course, so I can't imagine what the scene looks like today. Hope you and your family are safe and healthy in these troubled times.

 

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

Hey Cepice,
Thanks for the support.
No one that I know suffered a loss, but many others did.
A massive relief and rebuilding program is needed.
The fires on the West Coast of the USA are harbingers.

 

[Daan]

A Cautionary Tale (from the High Atlas mountains of Morocco)

Our latest label and beret design is inspired by a sad but true encounter which Mister Childish had whilst enjoying a walking/sketching trip to the High Atlas Mountains with his good wife in the early 2000's. Sitting himself beneath an ancient juniper tree he took up brush and paper and proceeded to sketch the vista before him.
It was whilst so engaged that he felt his beret being lifted from his head.
Turning sharply, he was confronted by a white billy goat, his beret dangling from its laughing mouth.
Before a man could utter 'billy goat gruff' the goat sprang into the bows of the ancient juniper and then with great agility ascended to the highest branches of the tree from where it looked down upon mister Childish in what he later described 'a look of malevolent glee'.
The goat then began chomping on Mister Childish's beret consuming it entirely, bite by goaty bite.
It is in commemoration of the sad but true destruction of an otherwise impermeable beret that we have created this special Goat in a Tree - Chyldish Fear Naught Beret.
Wear your beret with pride, but when walking in the mountains, never turn your back on a goat.

Billy Childish​

The Goat in a Tree series is a line of full weight (110 - 130 grams) heavy duty berets. These berets come in three stunning colours and in three plateau's/diameters of approximately 27, 29 and 30.5cm.

The label is based on the painting 'Goat in a Tree' by Billy Childish and stands for superbly made berets in dense merino wool with a British style 100% cotton lining.

Parameters for the making of the Goat in a Tree berets were: Comfort; Natural Materials (Wool and Cotton); Beauty (Intense Earthly Colours); High Insulation Capacity; a Variety of Diameters to Suit Different Tastes and Styles, a Good Grip for (Wellington-like) Windy Weather and Affordability.

The available colours are Winter-Green ("Feldgrau"), Russet (Chestnut) and Pine (Jade).

The making of the beret label in 4 colour layers: black, orange, silver and turquoise. Thanks to Billy Childish and the good folks at L13 Light Industrial Workshop.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

@Daan, I've been a passive observer of this thread and have been considering picking up a beret. I recently came across a simple black vintage one with this label and was wondering if you could provide any information:

I tried researching on my own but didn't have much success so I haven't bought it (yet). Based on my limited understanding from what I read in this thread that liner type is referred to as bayadère and was popular in the 50s-60s timeframe.

I did actually come across the same label posted on your web site, so I figured I would reach out to you for any additional assistance that you may be able to provide. Thank you for your help.

 

[Daan]

@Daan, I've been a passive observer of this thread and have been considering picking up a beret. I recently came across a simple black vintage one with this label and was wondering if you could provide any information:
View attachment 270356

I tried researching on my own but didn't have much success so I haven't bought it (yet). Based on my limited understanding from what I read in this thread that liner type is referred to as bayadère and was popular in the 50s-60s timeframe.

I did actually come across the same label posted on your web site, so I figured I would reach out to you for any additional assistance that you may be able to provide. Thank you for your help.

Looks like a nice beret in very good condition. Time period more 1950's than 60s. I have come across the label a few times, but don't know who the actual manufacturer is.
The letters 'BZ' suggest a company starting with 'Z' (the 'B' standing for Bérets); this could be Bérets Zephyr, an old-time manufacturer long out of existence, but I am far from sure. It could also be a label used by Blancq-Olibet, who used dozens and dozens of labels over the many decades.

 

[Daan]

The Flamingo W6200 and W400 models have been a massive success; many customers giving the most positive feedback.

Some however, do miss the cabillou, or chobo in Japanese - the "antenna" on top of the beret.
Reason to talk to Flamingo Berets and the outcome has been fantastic:
We can now offer a range of custom made W400 berets, fully lined and fitted with the Flamingo label and size adjustment band, with chobo: the Chobo400!

Like all Flamingo berets, these are made of the finest Australian merino wool. The Chobo400 line consists of 3 models in black, dark khaki and charcoal. These berets measure 31cm in diameter, fit the smallest to the largest head-sizes and have an approximate weight of 115 gram - making them perfect headgear for the coming winter.

Handmade, naturally dyed, rinsed in Mount Aso groundwater and sun-dried - these berets are of a rare colour intensity and yes, among the most comfortable berets to be found, anywhere!

Given the delivery delays due to the worldwide pandemic, order yours now to receive your purchase in time for Christmas.

 

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

The goat in a tree story and then a beret eating goat,
caused my mind to ponder such an event.
I can imagine it.
Billy Childish, the artist, was touring Moracco.
A local tourist spot was the goats in a tree.
Now, for these goats their gig was standing in a tree
while tourists take pictures.
Some of the goats learned over time that the hats of tourists
were a good source of salts from sweat due to the heat and humidity.
A sallty merino wool beret would be a treat compared to eating tree leaves.

 

[Daan]

Head’s Up for the new stock of Flamingo Berets that has just arrived. These berets are custom made and available in a very small number.

The Flamingo Chasseurs Series is based on the Chobo400 Exclusive berets, but modelled on the famous "Tartes" of the Chasseurs Alpins (the French elite mountain troops) and the Chasseurs Ardennais (the Belgian "Hunters of the Ardennes").

These berets share all of the model’s characteristics; heavy (130 gram) weight, handmade, naturally dyed, rinsed in Mount Aso groundwater and sun-dried. However, the Chasseurs Series is fitted with a full-hood cotton lining and dyed in the colour of their namesake; the Alpin in navy-blue (fitted with the smaller green 'Original Basque' label); the Ardennais with the regular "Original Basque' label in hunter-green. Both are fitted with the trademark Flamingo size-adjustable headband.

In the Chobo400 Exclusive Series, we have now added a russet coloured beret; a deep, warm colour, perfect for winter.

 

[Bouwerij_Jongen]

My Flamingo early models have survived their first wash and emerged relatively unchanged.
Probably a factor of the stretchy headbands.


The new Flamingos have some kind of magic stretchy headband with an internal strap/band.
The unlined Flamingos are a good weight for indoor and outdoor wear when the weather is cool/cold.

The Goat in a Tree Label berets seem to be authentic Basque berets a little thinner than an Elosegui Super Lujo.
After some stretching on my Hat Jack, the Goat beret fits just fine

The Goat beret is a good weight for changing weather, as it is comfortable inside (not too hot) and comfortable outside (keeps your head warm).

The labels are in the fine art category.
By an acclaimed artist, Billy Childish.
Also four color embroidery stages for the image

Here is the Goat in a Tree 30.5 cm beret in pine.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Looks like a nice beret in very good condition. Time period more 1950's than 60s. I have come across the label a few times, but don't know who the actual manufacturer is.
The letters 'BZ' suggest a company starting with 'Z' (the 'B' standing for Bérets); this could be Bérets Zephyr, an old-time manufacturer long out of existence, but I am far from sure. It could also be a label used by Blancq-Olibet, who used dozens and dozens of labels over the many decades.

Closing the loop after purchasing the beret in question after a couple listing cycles. It arrived with some more moth nibbles than was shown in the pictures, but still in pretty good shape all things considered, so I'm happy:

Dimensions

Size: 59cm
Weight: 78g
OD: 10.5"
​

Thank you again for your help and all your contributions to this thread.

 

[Babbo Philipe]

Closing the loop after purchasing the beret in question after a couple listing cycles. It arrived with some more moth nibbles than was shown in the pictures, but still in pretty good shape all things considered, so I'm happy:
View attachment 281325

Dimensions

Size: 59cm
Weight: 78g
OD: 10.5"
​

Thank you again for your help and all your contributions to this thread.

looks lke it fits well , moth bites are good for character

 

[TheOldFashioned]

looks lke it fits well , moth bites are good for character

Thank you kindly. I agree that a bit of character can be a good thing, as it reminds me that this vintage item has already had a life of its own before I became the steward.

 

[Daan]

Only just in time for Christmas deliveries, the new stock of Le Laboureur has arrived!

At the beginning of the new decennium Le Laboureur made a special limited edition of the famous 'burel wool cap', the "Édition Limitée Marine Ouessant Wool Cap".
These are made of the natural Ouessant Breton sheep's wool, dyed in the original raw-navy of the Chasseurs Alpins and only available at South Pacific Berets (as long as stock lasts).

Literally the only headgear I wear apart from berets!