Ideas from 1935, below, in the Sears catalogue.
A 1949 Everywoman magazine suggests different ways to adorn a beret for a variety of looks. 
A featurelette from 1950, again in Everywoman magazine extolls the beret's virtues, "dressed up, flattened down; pinned with a priceless gem; padded muffin-fashion; adorned with a feather; on the back; on the front; on the side." What you will notice, though, is that these berets are slightly smaller than the standard beret size now. I've been trying (so far in vain) to find a 1950s little beret, but the styles are all still doable with a modern hat. 
As an aside, this was such a transitional period in fashion that even though these two articles were published only a year apart, you can see real differences in the styling from the early New Look period to the perky 1950s.
I have quite a large head so vintage hats don't tend to fit me, but I've found berets are the best alternative! I have so many of them, my two favourites being my Parisian black one and my leopard print one.
ReplyDeleteNice post! I love berets! :)
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I could wear a hat! They just don't seem to suit me!
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of looking at children's size berets for a small option? I have one I got when I was about 10 or 11, and it's about the same size as the ones in the 1950 clipping! :) Of course, I do have to make sure it's secured to my head since it's a bit small, but it works great for a more vintage look. ;)
ReplyDeleteCasey, what a brilliant idea! I must go and check out the children's sections immediately :)
ReplyDeletexx Charlotte
I always have a beret to hand. I find they can be worn with any era from 40s-80s, likewise any level of smartness from evening to walk in the park. They are just SO versatile.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to steal some of these style ideas, as usually I go no further than pinning on a brooch! I realise now how many other options I have with my plain old beret!
Love berets too!!! I bought a 50's velvet one made by LANVIN last year and wore it a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteFunny too see how we can guess the era with the way to wear it...
I've just bought my first beret, great post! X
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
ReplyDeleteI like to wear berets aswell, and they are so easy to make them yourself, and add pretty embellishments to them - for example - a feather.
Thanks for sharing!
I love berets too and I love the way they suggest you jazz it up! I've tried adding brooches to mine also. What about knitting or felting yourself a beret? I'd think after you being such a dab hand at the record hat that this would be a great project for you!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post. I have several vintage berets and hardly ever wear them, they're just so beret-ey, but now I have lots of great ideas. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI wear berets a lot, I put different things on them to jazz them up. I have a black one from Monsoon, it's reasonably small fitting. Found rather nice little jewelled dragonfly clasps there one time which look great on it.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lady who sells fancy ones on e bay.... ashleighmanor.... rather coveted some of her ones in the past.