The origin of the beret is unknown, although they have been found in archaeological remains in Denmark, Austria and Italy, which in some cases date back to the 8th century BC.
The Beret is a headdress characterized by its round and flat shape, with a short visor, usually made of cotton or polyester, black, brown, navy blue or red.
In the Middle Ages, the beret was common in Europe, worn by both men and women, it was a symbol of social status, made mainly of wool at that time, it was a very versatile item, easy to maintain and wash, warmth that offered a protection against rain and cold.
In Continental Europe the Beret was popularly worn by European soldiers as part of their military uniform, in England it was worn by peasants and artisans, and in Spain it was very popular among the Basques, becoming over time an important element of Basque identity.
In Spain, in the sculptures that adorn the doors of the King’s Hospital, which date back to the 16th century, you can see walkers covering their heads with berets. The painter Francisco de Goya often represented his characters wearing a beret in the 18th century.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the use of the beret was widespread among peasants, where they wore this garment to protect their heads from the sun in summer and the cold in winter.
During the Carlist wars, the beret became a symbol understood as a symbol of tradition, conquering the urban environment thanks to the bohemians and writers of the time, who turned it into an icon of the arts.
The red beret became a symbol, especially between 1872 and 1876, in the Third Carlist War, where Carlist volunteer troops used to wear red berets to distinguish themselves from government troops. The red beret became a symbol of bravery and sacrifice, soon spreading to other Carlist groups, in their fight for the traditional monarchy and social order.
Later, with the arrival of the Franco regime in 1939, the use of the beret was reduced to the rural world, representing the primary sector where it was mostly used until the agrarian revolution of 1980, with the entry of agricultural machinery and mass production elements. , encouraged the gradual abandonment of the beret.
However, the red beret became a Francoist symbol, associated with traditional Spanish values of the time, such as homeland, culture and religion, and an emblem of national unity.
The beret managed to cross European borders, extending its use to many countries on the other side of the Atlantic, especially in Latin America, with one of its greatest exponents being Ernesto Cuevara, who always wore it on his head.
In the last 20 years, campaigns have been carried out by some companies to implement its use, achieving some success among young people, although it has not yet managed to gain the popularity ratings that it once had among the Spanish population.
Currently the beret is worn by people of all ages and social classes, being popular in the Basque Country, Aragon and Asturias, where it is associated with its cultural diversity.
The Beret has become a fashion accessory that can be worn with a variety of clothing styles, adding a touch of personality to any look. Cristian Dior was one of the first couturiers to popularize the beret in the 1940s with sophisticated and elegant designs. Coco Chanel and Ives Saint Laurent were couturiers who used berets in their designs, with daring and avant-garde designs, which helped popularize this garment among young people.
