Beret

Traditional Basque-style beret with headband folded in (top); fashion model wearing a beret (bottom)

A beret (UK: /ˈbɛr/ BERR-ay,[1] US: /bəˈr/ bə-RAY;[2] French: béret [beʁɛ]; Basque: txapel; Spanish: boina) is a soft, round, flat-crowned cap made of hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, wool felt,[3] or acrylic fibre.

Mass production of berets began in the 19th century in Southern France and the north of Spain, where they were already common headwear, and the beret remains associated with these countries, particularly France. Berets are worn as part of the uniform of many military and police units worldwide, as well as by other organizations.[4]

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed.). 1989.
  2. ^ "Dictionary.com Unabridged". Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  3. ^ Chico, Beverly (2005). "Beret". In Steele, Valerie (ed.). Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion. Vol. 1. Thomson Gale. pp. 149–150. ISBN 0-684-31394-4.
  4. ^ Kilgour, Ruth Edwards. A Pageant of Hats Ancient and Modern. R. M. McBride Company, 1958.

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