Berets, Anyone?

[Daan]

@Daan — another question for you: Spanish Merino sheep — How come Elosegui doesn’t get their wool from Spain anymore but sources it from Australia?

The Merino sheep, though originally from present-day Morocco, has a long history in Spain, but these days Spain is a very minor player in the field of merino wool.
The main producing countries are Australia and New Zealand; Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and to some extend South Africa are also big producers ( their stock originating in Australia and NZ).
France is a very small player too; the wool typically going to specialized small artisans like MdB/Auloronesa.
Quality wise, NZ merino is the best quality, due to the excellent climate for Merino's in the South Island highlands (and not unimportant, NZ has the best standards of animal care).
The French Merino wool too is of excellent quality, mainly due to it being grown on a small scale (and at a high cost).

 

[Fern]

The Merino sheep, though originally from present-day Morocco, has a long history in Spain, but these days Spain is a very minor player in the field of merino wool.
The main producing countries are Australia and New Zealand; Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and to some extend South Africa are also big producers ( their stock originating in Australia and NZ).
France is a very small player too; the wool typically going to specialized small artisans like MdB/Auloronesa.
Quality wise, NZ merino is the best quality, due to the excellent climate for Merino's in the South Island highlands (and not unimportant, NZ has the best standards of animal care).
The French Merino wool too is of excellent quality, mainly due to it being grown on a small scale (and at a high cost).

Thanks for that reply, @Daan. I tried googling for topics like “Spain merino wool industry” but nothing immediately came up related to a downturn or reasons for why Elosegui might want to source from Australia (and pay shipping/import tariffs) rather than get it locally (as was probably the traditional source.)

I read that Laulhere boasts about 100% French production and French merino wool, so wondered why Elosegui has it set up differently.

 

[Daan]

Thanks for that reply, @Daan. I tried googling for topics like “Spain merino wool industry” but nothing immediately came up related to a downturn or reasons for why Elosegui might want to source from Australia (and pay shipping/import tariffs) rather than get it locally (as was probably the traditional source.)

I read that Laulhere boasts about 100% French production and French merino wool, so wondered why Elosegui has it set up differently. View attachment 399395

It is an interesting statement; to the best of my knowledge, Laulhère uses Australian merino wool. With their focus changing from Basque berets to the higher fashion end berets and beret-based hats, they may use French grown wool for their new range - but frankly, I am just guessing now.
The words "100% French merino base" leave some room for questioning too; what is meant by "the base" and what percentage needs to be produced in France to call it French made legally.
Eg. a New Zealand beret manufacturer (Hills Hats from Petone) claims their berets are NZ made, despite them coming from Pakistan. Legally though, the claim is correct when lining, headband, label, etc are made/fitted in NZ.
I'll try to follow up, although this kind of information is often not easy to get...

 

[Fern]

It is an interesting statement; to the best of my knowledge, Laulhère uses Australian merino wool. With their focus changing from Basque berets to the higher fashion end berets and beret-based hats, they may use French grown wool for their new range - but frankly, I am just guessing now.
The words "100% French merino base" leave some room for questioning too; what is meant by "the base" and what percentage needs to be produced in France to call it French made legally.
Eg. a New Zealand beret manufacturer (Hills Hats from Petone) claims their berets are NZ made, despite them coming from Pakistan. Legally though, the claim is correct when lining, headband, label, etc are made/fitted in NZ.
I'll try to follow up, although this kind of information is often not easy to get...

Would be wonderful detective work. I’m sure you miss being able to do your long trips to Pays Basque, right @Daan? That’s how you get the best scoops!

 

[Babbo Philipe]

How do you manage the order process? I went to their website and translated it to English. All was good until I put my selection in the cart, then it flipped back to French and I stopped. What I really was trying to find was a shipping calculator for USA.

for me originally i used to get it from dennis, then Sara took over and she would send me a paypal payment invoice, shipping was only about 17.00 or so she would help me out

 

[quikrick]

 

[Babbo Philipe]

This nice for sure great color

 

[Fern]

Enjoying the recreation of these historic Carlist Wars soldiers in the Basque movie, “Giant”. Those guys were like guerrilla fighters — fought bravely! Oh, and The Red boinas make sense in the deep green forest so they don’t bayonet each other. Love the deep red color!

Check out how the one soldier uses his epaulets. (Rolls his red txapela.)

Reminds me of these guys:

Painting of a Carlist; Tomás de Zumalacárregui y de Imaz; Portrait of a Carlist

I tried the red cap Elosegui SL the other day and it catches a lot of looks from people.

 

[quikrick]

Nice blue Elosegui on a very bright and windy day.

 

[Mm25]

First red , now blue. You guys are really bringing it!

 

[Fern]

First red , now blue. You guys are really bringing it!

Ha! Tag, you’re it. @Mm25

 

[Mm25]

Ha! Tag, you’re it. @Mm25

Currently, the only two berets I own are military style, however, I have several traditional Basque style in transit and hope I can show them soon!

 

[Fedster]

Keeping your ears warm. In the interest of empirical testing I went cross country skiing at -11C with a super lujo and a Buff merino neck tube (I cut off the label and I do not remember if it meant to be heavy or light wool thickness, and it is the only one I have). I pulled the tube up over my neck, ears and back of the head, and plopped the boina on top. It worked fine, keeping in mind I always get massively hot anyway cross country skiing. I need to test the same walking.

As for looks, YMMV.

 

[Fedster]

Keeping your ears warm. In the interest of empirical testing I went cross country skiing at -11C with a super lujo and a Buff merino neck tube (I cut off the label and I do not remember if it meant to be heavy or light wool thickness, and it is the only one I have). I pulled the tube up over my neck, ears and back of the head, and plopped the boina on top. It worked fine, keeping in mind I always get massively hot anyway cross country skiing. I need to test the same walking.

As for looks, YMMV.

Tested, same approach works also for walking.

 

[Mm25]

Arrived in today’s mail and already getting some head time to break in. Elosegui super lujo, 11 inch.
I was worried it might look to big, but I think I might try going up a size in another order.

 

[quikrick]

Arrived in today’s mail and already getting some head time to break in. Elosegui super lujo, 11 inch.
I was worried it might look to big, but I think I might try going up a size in another order.
View attachment 400205

EXCELLENT DAVID! I knew you couldn’t stay on the sidelines too much longer!

 

[quikrick]

EXCELLENT DAVID! I knew you couldn’t stay on the sidelines too much longer!

I think I guessed your name wrong! Probably not David. Sorry @Mm25

 

[Fern]

Arrived in today’s mail and already getting some head time to break in. Elosegui super lujo, 11 inch.
I was worried it might look to big, but I think I might try going up a size in another order.
View attachment 400205

I think the 11” vuelo looks perfect, not too big not too small.

 

[Mm25]

I think I guessed your name wrong! Probably not David. Sorry @Mm25

It’s Joe, but no problems. I’m waiting to see your next beret posts. You have some great pics.

 

[Mm25]

I think the 11” vuelo looks perfect, not too big not too small.

Thanks! One reason I never really tried berets before is the lack of sun/rain protection provided by military style, which were all I knew of, but a fuller beret provides that coverage in a very convenient (and stylish) package.

For flair, I like the look of the side pull, but for function, I see me wearing it pulled forward like a flat cap most of the time.

If I understand correctly, that’s how many of the farmers and workers wore them for weather protection.

I have a few more already on the way, larger size, and cannot wait to compare.