In North America, the days are growing longer, the nights are getting cooler, and in Los Angeles, we pull out sweaters and pretend that we need to wear them. Pulling together lolita coordinates over the last few weeks, I’ve been reaching more and more for my favorite hat, the beret. Objectively, berets are the best thing to wear on your head in lolita and here is my entirely sound, scientific proof.
Berets work for so many hair styles.
Whether your hair is long or short, curly, or straight, styled or down, you can wear a beret. If I don’t have time to do something extra (like curling or straightening) my hair, I can easily braid my hair and put on a beret. Though I firmly believe that bangs are not a requirement for wearing lolita fashion, it can be hard to find inspiration for hair without bangs. Wearing head-eating bows, I always feel like I’m missing something. Berets offer an effortless way to look instantly pulled together without much fuss.
They’re great for days when you want to fly a little under the radar.
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Bonnets are amazing, beautiful pieces of art, but let’s face it, if you’re just trying to see a movie with friends, you don’t always want to explain what “Harajuku fashion” is to a stranger. Berets are a common accessory in normal fashion. Most people wouldn’t bat an eye at a person wearing a scarf and beret, especially in the winter time.
Berets are easily styled in different ways.
The “classic” beret offers a huge range of styling options. Tuck the brim in for a soft, slouchy look. Stand the brim up for a more structured, collegiate look. Pull it to one side of a bohemian touch. Pull it over your ears for warmth. Experiment to your heart’s content!
Berets are a great way to incorporate or display other accessories.
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If you are like me, you probably have a collection of brooches that borders on excessive. While my vintage style brooches are easy to throw onto a collar, I don’t always know what to do with my enamel pins. The standing “brim” of a beret is a great place to add some extra flair. Even a small enamel pin won’t get lost on a solid colored hat. You can also add two way clips or rosettes to the side of a beret to mimic the style of brand berets (AP puts out a lot of these style of hats!)
Berets are easy to find secondhand or in mainstream stores.
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Berets do come with some variations (see the Moite military style beret, for example), but they’re a piece that largely doesn’t change from year to year. If you can find a wool or acrylic beret in black, brown, or white at a big box store, you have a hat you can wear for years to come. As a classic lolita, I’m always scouring antique malls for good hats, and berets are easy to find!
Of course, they can also be an extra special splurge!
If you want to treat yourself, berets can also do that! There are luxe materials, hand felted varieties, embroidered pieces, and or pieces from brands themselves. My Moite and Innocent World berets were definitely not totally necessary, but I’m glad to have them in my collection.
Berets are great gift.
Lolitas can be tricky to buy for, given the range of prices, brands, sizes, and pieces available. However, headwear (including berets) is a relatively safe, budget friendly option, whether you’re writing a wishlist or searching for the perfect gift for someone else. They work with every style, they don’t take up much space, and they don’t require intimate knowledge of a recipient’s measurements.
Conclusion
In summary, berets are definitely, easily, demonstratively the best head accessory a lolita can have. Don’t @ me, you know I’m right.