Berets, Anyone?

[Mm25]

Same beret as yesterday on a quick river hike this afternoon.

 

[Daan]

Українські берети / Boineros/as from Ukraine

More military than Basque berets in Ukraine these days...

 

[Fern]

Flying through PHL. Rocking that 13” French Oloron Saint Marie 1980, Handya. #nofilter

 

[Daan]

I have just received the book Open Wound, by American photojournalist Stanley Greene.

Greene worked in many of the countries, and conflicts, that I worked (for Médecins sans Frontières, when I wore berets instead of selling berets). It was a period that I saw first hand what Mr Putin is capable of.

Despite some news coverage at the time (no journalists allowed, no social media), I feel many people in "the West" don't appreciate the enormity of destruction that happened to Grozny - the city was essentially wiped from the earth (before being rebuild by pro-Kremlin forces).

The same seems to be happening now in Kharkov and Kiev. The difference with Chechnya, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Ngorno Karabach is that social media are omni-present now. One doesn't see the occasional photo by a war reporter in the newspaper, but we follow live what destruction unfolds.

Another difference with the 1990's is the united response by countries across the globe - that is at least one positive outcome of this horror.

I dedicate this post to Stanley Greene, to all reporters (so many with beret) and all those brave people standing up to defend their country (with and without beret).

 

[quikrick]

The paparazzi caught me scrolling. Probably looking at a beret purchase.

 

[Fern]

View attachment 406675
The paparazzi caught me scrolling. Probably looking at a beret purchase.

Nice style, @quikrick! What’s that pin on your beret?

 

[Babbo Philipe]

a morning irish coffee , with a burnt orange BA beret

 

[Babbo Philipe]

Українські берети / Boineros/as from Ukraine
View attachment 406300 View attachment 406301
View attachment 406302 View attachment 406303
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More military than Basque berets in Ukraine these days...
View attachment 406310 View attachment 406311

woman wearing berets gotta love them

 

[Fern]

Been wanting to make this comparison post for a while. Happy to finally have all the berets needed for it!

I’m going to be discussing four different leather headbands, or badanas in Spanish. They all have different feels and prices, too.

First up: Boina vasca Elosegui Exposición fina 100% lana merino con badana forro raso

This is the stiffest of the headbands I have. It almost feels like vynil. At 25€, however, I wouldn’t be devastated if I lost it somewhere and is probably the first boina I’d wear in the rain.

Next up: Boina Vasca Elosegui Superlujo con badana 100%lana merino Impermeabilizada

This one is a bit less stiff, but still quite stiff. Also feels like vynil, but it has the sentimental value of being my first true Spanish basque boina that I bought in Barcelona this past Christmas. At 36€ it’s not bad, and I’ll keep it for its special memento quality.

Next up: Boina Vasca Elosegui 1858 negra 100% lana merino Impermeabilizada con badana

This headband feels like real leather and is supple to the touch. When I wear this boina, it feels like I’m wearing a proper brimmed hat. However, it’s true that after hours of wear I will develop a pink ring around my forehead and I imagine this is due to the weight of the felted wool because other hats I have (fedoras, etc) aren’t as heavy, don’t leave a “hat ring” around my forehead, and also have leather sweatbands. At 45€, it’s a great value for the quality of the materials.

And finally: Béret traditionnel avec baleinage cuir

I really wanted to like this beret. From this thread of posts on berets, I had learned about Dennis and Sara and the origins of the beret from French Basque Country. To my disappointment, it seems the size is much larger than my Spanish boinas despite giving very clear directions in cm. The quality of the leather is nice and is the softest of all 4 leather banded berets in my collection. But since it fits so loose, I don’t think it will ever leave a ring around my forehead lol! Perhaps there’s some purpose for the headband to be so loose, but if shrinkage is why it’s so loose, I’m not sure I’d wear it as often anyway since it fits so loose. Also, the 11 pouces size is larger than my 13 pulgadas, which gives the beret a Chasseurs Alpins look, so my conclusion is that the French beret style is nice but fits very different than the Spanish boina style and I like the Spanish slimmer and more moldable wool better. At 75€, it’s the most expensive of all but I would have been happier trying it on and leaving it at the store or just getting one without the leather headband.

In conclusion, I’m happy I satisfied my curiosity on all the leather headbands in modern berets/boinas. I know Daan shared pics of his very supple and handsome vintage berets with untanned/undyed leather headbands, and this means to me that once upon a time these headbands were likely as soft and pliant as calfskin. I will not be buying any more boinas with leather headbands now, but appreciate the ones that I do have in my collection now.

 

[quikrick]

Nice style, @quikrick! What’s that pin on your beret?

Thanks @Fern !
The pin is a mini police badge, in memory of my Dad's law enforcement career.

 

[Daan]

Been wanting to make this comparison post for a while. Happy to finally have all the berets needed for it!

I’m going to be discussing four different leather headbands, or badanas in Spanish. They all have different feels and prices, too.

First up: Boina vasca Elosegui Exposición fina 100% lana merino con badana forro raso
View attachment 406702 View attachment 406703
This is the stiffest of the headbands I have. It almost feels like vynil. At 25€, however, I wouldn’t be devastated if I lost it somewhere and is probably the first boina I’d wear in the rain.

Next up: Boina Vasca Elosegui Superlujo con badana 100%lana merino Impermeabilizada
View attachment 406704 View attachment 406705
This one is a bit less stiff, but still quite stiff. Also feels like vynil, but it has the sentimental value of being my first true Spanish basque boina that I bought in Barcelona this past Christmas. At 36€ it’s not bad, and I’ll keep it for its special memento quality.

Next up: Boina Vasca Elosegui 1858 negra 100% lana merino Impermeabilizada con badana View attachment 406706
View attachment 406707
This headband feels like real leather and is supple to the touch. When I wear this boina, it feels like I’m wearing a proper brimmed hat. However, it’s true that after hours of wear I will develop a pink ring around my forehead and I imagine this is due to the weight of the felted wool because other hats I have (fedoras, etc) aren’t as heavy, don’t leave a “hat ring” around my forehead, and also have leather sweatbands. At 45€, it’s a great value for the quality of the materials.

And finally: Béret traditionnel avec baleinage cuir View attachment 406710 View attachment 406711
I really wanted to like this beret. From this thread of posts on berets, I had learned about Dennis and Sara and the origins of the beret from French Basque Country. To my disappointment, it seems the size is much larger than my Spanish boinas despite giving very clear directions in cm. The quality of the leather is nice and is the softest of all 4 leather banded berets in my collection. But since it fits so loose, I don’t think it will ever leave a ring around my forehead lol! Perhaps there’s some purpose for the headband to be so loose, but if shrinkage is why it’s so loose, I’m not sure I’d wear it as often anyway since it fits so loose. Also, the 11 pouces size is larger than my 13 pulgadas, which gives the beret a Chasseurs Alpins look, so my conclusion is that the French beret style is nice but fits very different than the Spanish boina style and I like the Spanish slimmer and more moldable wool better. At 75€, it’s the most expensive of all but I would have been happier trying it on and leaving it at the store or just getting one without the leather headband.

In conclusion, I’m happy I satisfied my curiosity on all the leather headbands in modern berets/boinas. I know Daan shared pics of his very supple and handsome vintage berets with untanned/undyed leather headbands, and this means to me that once upon a time these headbands were likely as soft and pliant as calfskin. I will not be buying any more boinas with leather headbands now, but appreciate the ones that I do have in my collection now.

Nice post, Fern - no comparison on “headbanded” berets seen before.

What would make it even more interesting is to actually check the sizes with a hat measuring device. I did just that with some of the berets in my own collection and found (not to my surprise, to be honest) that the Auloronesa berets are actually spot-on, with a maximum of 2mm up or below. I am size 59.

The Elósgui boinas are all undersized, some by more than a complete size. So are my La Encartada boinas.

On the other hand, my Blancq-Olibet berets were over-sized, my Bakara by almost 1.5 full size.

But I would say the clearest outcome of your comparison/review is to go for a beret without headband altogether!

 

[Fern]

Nice post, Fern - no comparison on “headbanded” berets seen before.

What would make it even more interesting is to actually check the sizes with a hat measuring device. I did just that with some of the berets in my own collection and found (not to my surprise, to be honest) that the Auloronesa berets are actually spot-on, with a maximum of 2mm up or below. I am size 59.
View attachment 406760 View attachment 406761
The Elósgui boinas are all undersized, some by more than a complete size. So are my La Encartada boinas.
View attachment 406762 View attachment 406763
On the other hand, my Blancq-Olibet berets were over-sized, my Bakara by almost 1.5 full size.
View attachment 406764
But I would say the clearest outcome of your comparison/review is to go for a beret without headband altogether!

Hi Daan! Glad you liked my post. Thank you.

I really like your post — wish I had that cool sizing tool. I am now aware that each country has their own sizing standards. When I was in BCN, the sales person at Miel (hat store) measured me with a tailor’s tape and I am 57cm 100%. But I have an Italian flat cap that is 58cm and fits me perfect. I don’t know why the production numbers change from country to country, but that explains why the same sizes from different counties don’t fit equally.

And with all the new berets I just got that don’t have leather headbands, I agree with you: they definitely are more comfortable and are easier to stretch to a perfect fit. I will not be buying any more leather headbands.

 

[Babbo Philipe]

Nice post, Fern - no comparison on “headbanded” berets seen before.

What would make it even more interesting is to actually check the sizes with a hat measuring device. I did just that with some of the berets in my own collection and found (not to my surprise, to be honest) that the Auloronesa berets are actually spot-on, with a maximum of 2mm up or below. I am size 59.
View attachment 406760 View attachment 406761
The Elósgui boinas are all undersized, some by more than a complete size. So are my La Encartada boinas.
View attachment 406762 View attachment 406763
On the other hand, my Blancq-Olibet berets were over-sized, my Bakara by almost 1.5 full size.
View attachment 406764
But I would say the clearest outcome of your comparison/review is to go for a beret without headband altogether!

This cool where did you get the sizer

 

[Mm25]

Thirty-three days ago these travelers left New Zealand. I believe my beret collection is now complete.
Until I find a great sale or reduced shipping on an MdB.

 

[Fern]

Thirty-three days ago these travelers left New Zealand. I believe my beret collection is now complete.
Until I find a great sale or reduced shipping on an MdB.
View attachment 406989

Nice collection, @Mm25 — bet the wait was irritating. Love the lining on these new ones. Czech?

And of course, the Daan-inspired “beret wizard” label is unique.

 

[Babbo Philipe]

Thirty-three days ago these travelers left New Zealand. I believe my beret collection is now complete.
Until I find a great sale or reduced shipping on a

Thirty-three days ago these travelers left New Zealand. I believe my beret collection is now complete.
Until I find a great sale or reduced shipping on an MdB.
View attachment 406989

If you find a big deal on Mdb. Let me know one last splurge

 

[Mm25]

Nice collection, @Mm25 — bet the wait was irritating. Love the lining on these new ones. Czech?

And of course, the Daan-inspired “beret wizard” label is unique.

Yes. Daan had a deal that was basically 3 for the price of 1.

 

[Mm25]

Local hat aficionados admiring my new beret.

 

[quikrick]

Hanging out at the marina.

 

[Mm25]

View attachment 407074 View attachment 407075
Hanging out at the marina.

Looks like perfect weather. That beret is a bit bigger than I’ve seen you wearing lately, it looks great.