1. Using a cigarette lighter, burn most of the "fuzzies" off the material.
2. Using a disposable razor, shave the beret until you have a very smooth surface.
3. Cut the tag off below the beret size lettering. You've done it right if, when you put the beret on, the tag can never show even if it gets flipped over.
4. Pull the headband drawstring tight and tie it off in a square not. DO NOT CUT IT YET!
5. Take the beret and dunk it in warm (not hot!) water.
6. Once you get it soaking wet, put it on your noggin and pull the stiffner over your left eye and smooth the material over your head and pull it down towards your right ear. It should just touch your ear or go just below that.
7. Once you've got it all set, wear it for a while until it's sort of dry.
8. Carefully take it off and set it down to dry. You may need to shape it a few times to get it right.
9. Once you're happy, cut the excess drawstring off and get your flash sewn on.
Tips:
Many people's noggin's don't fit the "issue" beret. Go to the PX and try one on. You may have to buy one commercially, instead.
When you're burning the "fuzzies" off, do it outside. It's a smelly process.
Shave the inside as well, unless you like pulling fuzzies out of your high and tight.
If you really need to shrink the material, use hotter water when you soak it.
What You Need:
Disposable Razor
Hot Water
Cigarette Lighter
OR
SHAPING A BERET
Step 1.) My personal choice for a beret is a Bancroft. They produce a high quality beret that is easy to shape.
Step 2.) The first thing you want to do is cut out the liner. This makes it easier to shape, and cooler during the summer months. You can leave the front reinforcement if you want. However, some use and old credit card cut in a similar shape and held in place by the unit crest or officer insignia.
Step 3.) You will now want the shave your beret. The best way to do this is to use an electric razor. You will want to continue shaving your beret every month or so until it doesn't fuzz.
Step 4.) Now we are ready to shape it. Take two pots of water, one cold, and one hot. Holding the beret by the leather headband, dip the beret into the hot water. Once the beret is soaked then remove it and place into the cold water. Repeat this process three or four times, until the beret feels stiff.
Step 5.) Ring the water out of the beret and put it on your head. Start with your hand on the left side and start stretching the beret over to the right.
Step 6.) Then start creating the fold over in the front of the beret. The fold should cover about 1/2 of the flash (the patch sewn on a beret).
Step 7.) Pull the beret forward and create a ridge between your head and the flash.
Step 8.) Wear the beret until it is dry then remove it. Be sure to sew on the flash so that it sits over the left eye. The headband should rest two fingers above the eyebrows and ears.
Step 10.) Once the beret is fitted then tie the strings and cut then down to one inch, fold in half, and sew to the headband.
My JROTC Beret said Dry Clean only but i did it and it was fine... do it at your own risk tho, im not responible for any screw ups ;-) just kidding.