Fashion ICON: The French Beret

I am not a huge fan of series like Emily in Paris (I find Emily totally unbearable) or The Summer I turned pretty (Belly and Conrad are some of the most boring characters I have seen in my entire life). But something is pretty clear is that both series offer a beautiful love story with the city of Paris. Paris is the city where to live fashion and also the city where to fall in love with the French style.

French women age, eat, drink wine and they are not obsessed with workouts. They walk, travel, enjoy life and always look perfect. But not in a way that looks fake. They look perfect but natural. First of all, they love makeup, but they usually invest in a couple of great products and they are loyal to them. They also invest in great quality basic clothes. And they update their looks with some basic accessories like a great bag, a scarf, some basic jewelry or for a example with a Beret

I am really obsessed with Berets during fall and winter time. As a mom of 3 children under 4, I am always in my basic uniform: a pair of jeans, a jersey, a jacket and basic sneakers. But from October to February I style my look with my small collection of Merino Wool Berets. And I promise you it makes a difference in how I elevate what I wear!

The Basque beret

Beret-like hats have been used in Europe since at least the 15th century. They were crafted using materials like wool and they were used for farmers or fishermen.

During the XIX century, especially during the Napoleonic Wars, this complement was massively adopted by the population of the Basque Country and right now is still a national symbol.

I do think the Basque artisans have done an excellent job in improving the berets quality. Right now, companies like Boinas Elosegui, a company that has been manufacturing berets for more than 160 years, make 100% wool berets, that for one hand offer great insulation (both for the cold and the heat) and are also made using 100% natural fibers.

Sooo… even in your saddest look wear a Beret

There are days that you will feel or look miserable. In one of those days, remember that French women take a small complement like a Beret or a scarf and make themselves confident again. You do not need tons of money, tons of makeup or lose 20 pounds. You need a small change in your look and you will feel totally different.

I know media platforms like Netflix or Amazon are looking to Paris as the perfect scenario where to place series that attract the interest of the new generations. It seems Generation Z is more interested in traditional love stories.

My generation was mainly influenced by Girls and Lena Dunham’s New York. Her point of view was also ours. Millennials became lost after the 2008 crash and we were trapped in a point between adults and teenagers for many years. That influenced our fashion sense. New generations are starting to look more sophisticated. So Paris is now the new trendy city for the people who are living in their 20’s and early 30’s. And the Beret is again the complement that has become a must.