Beret

I just got a new replacement beret and I am having a hell of a time trying to figure out how to shape it! My last beret I shaped by dipping it in hot water but this one says dry clean only. Does anyone have any idea on how to shape these?

[rabbid37]

I dont know but I love berets and I want one myself

[Yeoman]

personally I ripped the liner out (just ripped it out, not actually cut the liner out), and took it in the shower and wore it then.
that's all I did, usually takes a couple times of putting it under hot water and then wearing it to do the job.
but that's how it works up here, not sure what company makes your berets down there.
Greg

[Garrett]

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.

[Yeoman]

ewww you guys put the trenches in your berets? man I hate how they look like that.
parkhurst is the berets that you'll most commonly see up here. the have alot less material in them. I hated my issued beret, it was the old crappy green, so I went out and bought a rifle green one, and now I look hard :D
Greg

[USAFDefender]

Good post, Garret.


I do most of those steps besides the lighter burn and the stovetop deal. I cut out the liner, and shave it inside and out. I even cut the stiffener so it isn't so big; I it the same shape, just closer around the flash. THen when its all shaven I take a shower with it. While in the shower I pull and shape it to exactly how I want it to look. Then after the shower I don't take it off my head for about 20 minutes; during that time I'm pulling it into place every so often. After its semi-dried on my head, I take it off carefully and set it down so that the left side of the beret can hang off the edge of something (ie: edge of your dresser or countertop). And viola, a perfectly shaped beret.

Thanks guys for helping me out with this one. When I got my replacement beret I didn't know what to go for as I was tired of the old issue ones. While I was looking around I came across some berets claiming they were pre-shaped.. Has any one seen these? If so what do you guys think?

[Garrett]

Every Baret is "pre-shaped" its just a matter of how well ;-) Naw its just a gimmick, and it doent look NEARLY as good.

[EverForward]

A true pre-shaped beret is impossible, because the shape of a beret depends entirely on who is wearing it. My issued beret sucked, it had almost no material to drape over. However, I reccommend a Bancroft, their stuff is top-notch and well worth it.

[USMC Chuter]

Sounds like a lot of friggin' trouble for a cover..

[EverForward]

Yeah, pretty much. A beret is a hassle, but once you've got a good one properly formed and shaved you don't have to worry about it again. The problem is, it takes a LOT of work to get it there.

[armyinfmom63]

If you go to www.photobucket.com/albums/d72/pkr1963 you can see my son in a pic with his beret on. He loves it and wore it a lot when he was home. Not sure if this is the way most people wear theirs, but he seemed to like the way it looked.

[heart_felt]

where were you guys when i had so much trouble trying to get mines to look right