Boys' Historical Uniform Headgear: Berets

Figure 1.--This French Scout wears a beret. French Scouts tend to wear their berets with more style than Scouts in other countries.

Some French Scouts almost from the begining of the movement wore berets. Initially only French Scouts wore them, and not even all French Scouts, many of whom preferred the popular lemon-squeezer Scout hat of the day. HBU does not know of any other Scouts that wore berets before World War II (1939-45), although they might have been worn by Belgian Scouts. Boys clothing in Belgium also followed French styles. None of the nationalist youth groups which appeared in Europe before and during World War II (1939-45), outside of France, adopted the beret. This is understandable, especially after the collapse of the French Army in 1940. After the NAZIs occupied European countries, understandably it was German styles which predominated. Boys in some countries, especially America, saw the beret as a little boys' cap, or worse still for girls. World War II changed the image of the beret. The beret was eventually adopted by English Scouts and even some American Scouts. Interestingly, after the War, the beret was adopted by many Scout groups around the world. I'm not sure why the beret became so popular with Scouts. It does not seem to be a particularly practical garment. Perhaps the fact that some British military units in World War II wore berets were a factor. Perhaps it was the influence of French fashion. Interestingly, the adoption of the beret by foreign Scouts occurred just as French boys, except for Scouts, stopped wearing the beret. What ever the reason, Scouts around the world began wearing berets. English Scouts adopted the beret--black ones. Even some American Scouts wore berets--red ones, although it was never the official headgear. The beret is now the most commonly worn headgear by Scout groups around the world. Interestingly they are worn in many countries that boys would not normally evern considering wearing a beret. The beret is now the most commonly worn headgear by Scout groups around the world. Interestingly they are worn in many countries that boys would not still not normally even considering wearing a beret. French boys, except Scouts, would not even considerin wearin a beret. The beret continues to be the standard headgear for French Scouts who seem to wear their berets with more style than Scouts in other countries.

Chronology

The beret first appearedcin boys' uniforms, understanably in France. Some French Scouts almost from the begining of the movement wore berets. The beret was not, however, adopted by other Scouts. American boys saw the beret as a little boy's cap, or worst still a girl's cap. Scouts thus wanted nothing to do with the beret. None of the nationalist youth groups which appeared in Europe before and during World War II (1939-45), outside of France, adopted the beret. This is understandable, especially after the collapse of the French Army in 1940. After the NAZIs occupied Europdean countries, understandably it was German styles which predominated. Interestingly, after the War, the beret was adopted by many Scout groups sround the world. HBC berlieves this is primarily because many specialized Alied military units like paratroopers and elite formations wore the beret. This esentially changed the image of the beret. The beret was adopted in 1969 by British Scouts and afterwards by a large number of other Scout groups. The reasons for the popularity of the beret are not well understood, but what ever the reason, Scouts around the world after 1969 began wearing berets. Interestingly, while many Scouts wear berets--modren French boys, except for Scouts, would not think about wearing a beret.

Countries

The beret until after World War II was primarily a French garment. I do not know of any other Scouts that wore berets before World War II (1939-45), although they might have been worn by Belgian Scouts. Boys clothing in Belgium also followed French styles. English Scouts adopted the beret--black ones. Quite a number of other couts adopted the beret, including Scouts in Japan, Korea, Thailand, many Caribbean countries (because of the British influence), and many other countries. Even some American Scouts wore berets--red ones, although it was never the official head gear. The beret is now the most commonly worn headgear by Scout groups around the world. Interestingly they are worn in many countries that boys would not normally evern considering wearing a beret.

Adoption

I'm not sure why the beret became so popular with Scouts. It does not seem to be a particularly practical garment. In fact itvseems a rather impractical garment. It provides little protection from the weather and without a brim or bill no shade from the sun. In addition, boys in many countries (America and England) disliked berets, viewing them as suitable only for girls and little boys. Perhaps the fact that some British military units in World War II wore berets were a factor. It was probably the influence of French fashion. An English HBC contributor reports that The British army adopted the beret in the late 1930s. Scouts were still wearing smokey bear style hats, which weren't very popular--despite the nostalgia and symbolic attachments. Such feelings are often not very important for boys who tended to consider the style a bit old fashioned and impractical. So the English Scouts copied the army and adopted the beret as part of their uniform. Photos show that in the 1940s and 1950s both styles of headgear were worn in tandem but by the late 1950s the old scout hat was more or less extinct. With the adoption by the Britishm the béret no longer had such a strictly French image and were soon adopted by many other national cout associations.

Organizations

HBU knows of no other youth group than the Scouts that adopted the beret.

Fashion Trend

Interestingly, the adoption of the beret by foreign Scouts occurred just as French boys, except for Scouts, stopped wearing the beret. Boys in France after World War II viewed the beret as old fashionedm few French boys by the 1950s wore berets.

Colors

Ften Scouts have generally worn black or dark blue berets. English Scouts wore black berets. Canadian Scouts wear dark green berets. Other cpuntries have chosen more colorful berets. ThainScous wear a bright purple beret. Some American Scouts in the 1980s wore bright red berets.

Style

The beret continues to be the standard headgear for French Scouts who seem to wear their berets with more style than Scouts in other countries. Scouts in some other countries don't seem to quite know how to wear it. This appeared to have been especailly true in America.