How to Shape and Fold a Beret

How do you shape a beret?

First: Cut out the lining.

Second: Cut the cardboard so that it is just a small arch about 2 or 3 inches across the bottom so that whatever device you wear fits nicely.

Third: Put on your beret and make sure it (the leather band around the bottom) is as parallel to the ground as you can get it with the cardboard centered over your left eye. Make a fold of the material that starts right nest to the cardboard and goes toward your right ear. This fold should not cover any of the area where your device will rest. Tie the ribbon so that the beret fits your head snugly. Some cut the ribbon, others just tuck it under the beret.

Fourth: Take a shower with your new beret on and get it soaking wet with hot water as soon as you enter the shower. Make sure you form it like I explained above while it is wet and the steam is getting to it. Let it drip dry ON YOUR HEAD. Don’t take it off until it is almost completely dry- or completely dry if you can stand it that long. You can also use a mannequin head if you have one.

Fifth: Let it sit flat overnight so that the fold can hang over the side of a table or whatever flat surface it is on to make sure it is totally dry. It should look like the Duke’s beret in the picture above; that picture is the standard.

Now your beret is ready to wear!

Note: some people suggest shaving the beret to get rid of all of the fuzz on it. You can do that, but it tends to look a little strange and sometimes even get a slight shine. Also, if the beret has tiny tab at the top in the middle, cut it off.

The Ribbon
Tie it so that the beret fits snugly on your head and then fold it up underneath the beret. You can cut the excess ribbon, but don’t make it too short to tuck underneath!

Now, Let’s get it folded!