BERETS MAKE THE FASHION GRADE THIS SEASON

I was beginning to think I was alone in my assessment that berets are cool. But then I read a Canadian source dub them fall’s hottest accessory. Ok, it is too late to act on this trend now, but what about next fall?

Canada.com wrote the following article about berets. I tend to agree and apparently so does actress Lindsay Lohan. She has been photographed wearing a knit beret lately and so have many other Hollywood PYT’s (pretty young things).

LOHAN STUTS HER STUFF IN A BERET

Bring on the beret

Canada.com
Designers have turned much-maligned accessory into fall's hottest headwear

Berets have a bad reputation. Think about it: What comes to mind when you hear the word? If annoying mimes and cheesy '80s Prince songs are on your list, don't worry. You're probably not alone.

But things are changing. The beret is one of fall's freshest and most sophisticated looks.

Worn originally by Basque peasants, berets have been co-opted by everyone from Mary Tyler Moore to police and military units around the world. While they've developed a cult following of sorts over the years, berets have never really had their moment in the style spotlight.

But after designers including Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren and Diane von Furstenberg featured berets in their collections for this fall and winter, the negative assumptions surrounding this much-maligned accessory have disappeared.

"When worn over the left brow, the beret has a sexy French 'thang' about it," designer Daryl K explained to Vogue after her fall/winter show.

They've also become a celebrity favorite. Mary-Kate Olsen paired a bright red knit beret with a voluminous gown at the Christian Dior show during Paris' recent fashion week. In September, The O.C. star Rachel Bilson wore her white felt version to a Teen Vogue party with a flirty white minidress and cropped black jacket. Others recently spotted in berets include Diane Kruger, Ashlee Simpson and Kate Hudson.

The difficulty with berets is knowing what to wear them with. One wrong move, and a beret can make even the most carefully planned outfit appear costume-y. (So don't even think about pairing one with any of fall's new military-inspired pieces or, God forbid, a striped tee and black pants).

Try to maintain a simple silhouette: A basic black wool beret worn with a fitted tweed jacket, dark skinny jeans and knee-high, heeled boots will work. A brightly hued beret with a tailored white shirt, dark pencil skirt and pointy-toed stilettos is also a great look.

And don't worry about how to wear it. Alison Deyette, fashion journalist from online magazine Style Bakery, says there are no rules. "It's just about which way you prefer and how it looks best on you. I've seen it centred, slightly right, and slightly left," Deyette says.

Ready to add one to your fall wardrobe? There are many options, ranging from the luxurious (Dolce & Gabbana's shearling version retails for about $540) to the more attainable and locally available (Le Chateau's chic, knit beret in black or ivory for $15).