Berets: The How To Guide

Many Pathfinders wear berets. Many Pathfinders fail miserably at wearing a beret. That's not to say that they have it all wrong, it's just not a form that (I feel) is fitting to the Pathfinder uniform. It's time we caught up. This will be a guide to getting, preparing, and wearing the black beret as part of the dress uniform.

First things first, it must be black. Not navy, red, green, purple, or any other color that happens to strike your fancy. Black is the appropriate color for the current Pathfinder uniform and it should stay that way. Not to say you can never designate other colors for things such as drill teams, drum corps, etc. (however, beware of any rules regarding what allowance is prescribed by your local conference)

So you don't have one and need to get one. Where do you go? You can buy berets from AdventSource. Their product is good but is the reason so many are worn improperly. Better sources are military uniform supply companies such as Parade Store. There is one type of beret you should get: military style, with badge stay, no pip, no lining, made of wool, and has an adjustable leather band. Anything else will probably have you looking better in a striped shirt, suspenders, face painted white and attempting to get out of a glass box.

Why so picky? All these properties have something to do with getting the look just right. Step one is preparation and forming the beret.

Preparation:

1. If the beret you happen to have has lining or a pip on top.... cut it off. You don't need them and they will cause problems down the road if you don't.
2. Inspect for flaws. If the beret happens to be owned by a club, then it's possible there could be stains, or damage that preclude it from being used. Make sure it will fit your head. (some berets are sized and others are not. The more accurate the sizing, the better the fit)
3. If it does not have a badge stay (the stiff fabric covered cardboard piece inside the beret and sewn to the rim), it's not the end of the world. You'll just have to make one.
4. Shave the beret. You heard me. Get a disposable razor and run it over the inside and outside of the beret. This will remove all the little "fluff" left over from manufacturing. Don't go crazy. Just smooth out the appearance. Start with the inside so you can get a feel for how it's done. Use sewing scissors to trim around the headband. Take you time and do it right.
5. Attach the flash (also known as the beret patch). Make sure it's the beret patch and not a uniform patch. Position it on the outside of the beret where the badge stay makes a flat spot when pressed from the inside. Sew it in place. Don't glue it! Never glue it. The wool fabric does not handle glue very well and even if you can get away with it on your uniform, it's a very bad idea for the beret. Make sure it's straight and aligned with the headband. If you don't have a badge stay, see below.
1. If you don't have a badge stay: Time to make one. Find some stiff cardboard. Corrugated cardboard will work but will wear out fast. I recommend some type of chipboard if you can find it and the thicker the better. 1/8" is ideal. If all you can find is corrugated, then take two pieces and glue them together to make a stronger piece. Cut the cardboard in almost the exact shape as the conference patch on your uniform. Then tack it in place behind your already sewn on flash with a couple of dabs of glue. Super Glue or similar works well.
2. Consider carefully wrapping it in duct tape before installing. The tape will help strengthen not only the stay itself but your attachment to the lining and help protect from sweat.

Forming:

1. Put it on your head with the headband level across the forehead and 1 in above the eyebrows. Pull the rest of the band around the head so it sit's in a horizontal line all the way around the head. If needed, it is acceptable to have a bit of a rise in back. Pull the sizing ribbon snug and tie it off. You may cut off the extra ribbon or plan on tucking it up when you wear it. The beret is sized properly and ready for forming.
2. Use warm water to thoroughly dampen the fabric. Soak it evenly but try to leave the badge stay fairly dry for now. Do not use hot water no matter how tempting it sounds given the next steps. It will shrink your beret fabric and make it unusable.
3. Stand in front of a mirror and put the beret on. It's even more helpful if you have a partner to assist. After you position the headband properly, hold the flash with the badge stay behind it straight up and down over your left eyebrow. Curl the ends of your fingers over the top of the stay to roll the fabric down behind the stay about a half inch. At the same time, with your right hand, pull the extra fabric down over your right ear. The fabric should at least reach the top of your ear and go no farther than the middle of your ear. Flatten the fold down and tug it in place to ensure all extra fabric is pulled over. The rest of the beret should be generally molded round your head. Manipulate the beret in this fashion over and over. It takes time, be patient. Re-wetting with warm water if needed. Continue until you have the proper look and the headband is still where it should be.
4. Wear the beret like that until it dries. Or at least until it is relatively dry. It can then be taken off and carefully placed on a surface with the fold hanging off and left to dry the rest of the way. You could even ball up some paper to help keep the shape. There is no substitute for drying on the head though. Periodically, ensure the look is still proper. Obviously, this is best done when the weather is warm.
5. Repeat the forming process if needed to get the right look. Each iteration of forming will correct flaws not fixed by the previous form.

Storage and Cleaning:

Always store the beret in a cool and dry place. Colors can fade if left for extended time in direct sunlight. When you are not wearing the beret, it is best to let it maintain it's shape. The most practical would be to fold the parts down so the beret is relatively flat. The beret can also be rolled and temporarily stored in a pocket or other part of the uniform. The beret may need to be reformed from time to time if it looses it's shape.

You can gently clean a beret with steam. Wipe the headband with a damp cloth and a gentle cleaner if needed. Beyond that, I recommend having berets professionally dry cleaned on a periodic basis. Trying something more than what is described above could destroy it.

Proper Wear:

As described above, the proper wear of the beret is as follows:

• Headband horizontal across the forehead and 1 in above the eyebrows.
• The patch or flash should be positioned above the left eye
• The extra fabric is pulled down the side of the head, centered on and over the right ear. Fabric should extend to at least the top of the ear and no farther than half way down the ear.
• The rest of the band should be as horizontal as possible as it sits on the head. It is acceptable for the headband to present a raise at the back of the head.
• Sizing ribbons should be trimmed or tucked up under the beret.
• Hair should not extend below the edge of the beret in the front - tuck longer hair up and away.
• The beret is not worn indoors unless outdoor rules are in effect or while serving as a member of a Color or Honor Guard. The beret is never worn in a sanctuary. 

These two photos represent the proper way a beret should look.