Short answer: both, and that is the point. A beret carries decades of retro charm, yet it keeps reappearing on modern runways and in street style. It sits in the small group of pieces that never quite date, because it belongs to no single era.
I am Camille, and I shape berets the same way they were made generations ago, for people wearing them with very current clothes. That mix of old craft and new styling is exactly why the beret feels timeless rather than stuck in the past.
- A beret is both retro and modern, which is why it never dates.
- Its heritage gives it charm; current styling keeps it fresh.
- Classic colours (black, navy) read timeless in any decade.
- A bold colour or sleek finish tips it more modern.
- How you style it, not the beret itself, sets the era.
The short answer
Short on time? Here is how the beret plays both sides.
| Angle | What gives it that feel |
|---|---|
| Retro | Decades of artist and vintage-film history |
| Modern | Regular returns to the runway and street style |
| Timeless | Classic colours and a simple, clean shape |
| Fresh twist | Bold colours, leather, or a sleek finish |
Why the beret feels retro
The beret is soaked in nostalgia, and rightly so. It sits on the heads of mid-century film stars, painters and singers in the images we all know, so putting one on borrows a little of that vintage romance. That heritage is a big part of the appeal.
But retro does not mean dated. The beret keeps its charm because the shape is simple and the story is rich. For the full arc of how it travelled from the fields to fashion, see our piece on the modern history of the French beret.
Who reaches for the classic look
Lovers of vintage style, anyone drawn to timeless French elegance, and wearers who want a piece with a real story behind it.
★★★★★ 4.8 · 62 reviews
Black French Beret
The timeless one. Matte black felt that has looked right in every decade and still does today.
Shop now · $39Want it to read modern? Pair the beret with current clothes: an oversized coat, straight denim, clean trainers. Want vintage? Add a trench and red lipstick. Same beret, different decade.
Why it still feels modern
Every few seasons the beret returns to the catwalk and the street, and it never looks out of place. Designers keep reaching for it because it finishes a look instantly, and social style has kept it in steady rotation rather than treating it as a costume.
A richer colour is the easiest way to make it feel current. A deep wine tone looks contemporary against modern tailoring, while keeping all the beret charm. If you are wondering whether it is still in fashion, we answer exactly that in are berets still trendy.
★★★★★ 4.9 · 85 reviews
Wine Red Beret
Rich burgundy velvet that feels current and considered. The colour that tips the classic beret modern.
Shop now · $45
The timeless middle ground
If you want a beret that reads neither dated nor trend-chasing, a clean classic colour is the safest bet. Navy and royal blue sit comfortably in any decade and pair with almost anything, so the beret always looks intentional rather than of-the-moment.
This is the beret to buy first: quietly stylish now, and just as right in ten years.
★★★★★ 4.8 · 62 reviews
Blue French Beret
Vibrant royal blue soft felt. A clean, classic colour that looks timeless whatever the season.
Shop now · $45Making it feel the way you want
- For retro: trench coat, tailored trousers, a classic red lip.
- For modern: oversized coat, straight denim, clean trainers.
- For timeless: a neutral beret with simple, well-cut basics.
Do not lean on costume cues if you want a modern look. A beret with a striped top and a string of onions reads as fancy dress. Keep the rest of the outfit current and the beret stays chic.
Frequently asked questions
Both. It carries vintage charm and returns to the runway regularly, so it reads timeless rather than tied to one era.
Pair it with current pieces: an oversized coat, straight denim and clean trainers, and choose a sleek finish or a bold colour.
Black and navy. They have looked right in every decade and pair with almost any outfit, so they never feel dated.
It has not yet. The simple shape and rich history keep bringing it back, which is why it counts as a wardrobe classic.
So, is a beret retro or modern? Happily both. Choose a classic colour for timeless, a bold one for current, and style it with clothes you actually wear. It will never look out of date.
Worn well, never overthought.
Camille
