Nowadays, the beret is associated primarily with the uniform headdress of military personnel of certain branches of the military. The most of them is the blue beret of the paratroopers. Its indispensable attribute is the fold on the right side. Why is this being done?
Sign of the Elite
The armed forces, like any other complex hierarchical structure, have their own insignia. They are used to designate junior personnel - soldiers and sergeants, middle - officers from lieutenant to major, and senior - officers with a rank above lieutenant colonel.
In addition, insignia in the army serve to determine whether a serviceman belongs to a particular branch of the military. One of the most striking and indicative insignia is the beret. It speaks of its wearer’s belonging to the elite of the armed forces. To determine which elite branch of the military a fighter belongs to, a tradition arose of bending the beret to the right or left side.
Right and left
Army berets appeared in the armed forces of our country only in the 1960s. Originally they were crimson in color. The familiar blue beret of paratroopers was introduced into everyday use only in 1969. Until this moment, to indicate belonging to one or another branch of the military, the practice of twisting the beret to the left or right side appeared.
Special forces and internal troops began to bend their berets to the left. They now wear maroon and olive (green) headdresses respectively. In turn, the marines (black berets) and paratroopers (blue) began to push the berets to the right side.
A special case
During parades, military personnel of all branches of the military wear berets slanted to the left. Firstly, this is necessary for the unification and uniformity of the uniform of all military personnel. There is an opinion that this is done in order not to block the face. The fact is that a serviceman tilts his head to the right while walking in parade formation, so bending his beret in the same direction can cast a shadow on his face.
Others argue that the fold to the left is necessary so that the flag-shaped badge, which is attached to the right side of the beret during parades, is visible. After returning to places of permanent combat deployment, the paratroopers recapture their berets back to the right.
Combat berets
Some argue that the tilt of the headdress in elite branches of the military, including the Airborne Forces, depends on whether the wearer of the beret participated in combat operations or not. A bend on the left side supposedly means that the serviceman has been to war or participated in special operations, and if it is on the right, then he has no combat experience.
However, for the most part in the army, such a statement is considered stupid. After all, the most eloquent indicator of the presence or absence of combat experience is still medals and orders, and not the side of the headgear.
Pound test
It is worth noting that the beret's crease is airborne troops is no less serious a test than a forced march or parachute jump. The ability to correctly beat off his headdress has always served as a sign of the experience of a paratrooper, his real belonging to the elite army caste. A real paratrooper always knows how to hit the beret correctly.
Not everyone succeeds the first time. There are different “recipes” for how to break a beret. Experienced paratroopers advise using a sugar solution rather than water to moisten headgear. Others are experimenting with wax. After moistening the beret, it is given the desired shape.
You will need
- Takes a drop (choose your size, take a closer look at 54-55),
- water (preferably hot),
- shaving foam or gel,
- hairspray (colorless),
- disposable razor,
- scissors,
- any plastic card,
- cockade.
Instructions
To begin with, we cut out the lining with scissors, but do not cut off the insert for the cockade. Next, immerse the beret in hot water and wait 2 minutes for it to completely soak. We take it out, squeeze it slightly, insert the cockade exactly in the center (we are guided by the insert inside the beret), put it on the head and tighten the ropes at the back of the head, tie it.
Without removing the beret, we begin to smooth it with our hands in the right directions. We smooth the left side back, bringing the hand to the back of the head. We stroke the top of the head to the right side, creating a half-disk near the right ear. We make the arch for the cockade as follows: hold the cockade, and with the right hand we smooth it forward from the top, creating an edging.
Then everything is much simpler, you just need to straighten these sides and remove stains and holes. Don’t be afraid to smooth it harder, the beret won’t tear. Pay special attention to the arch and half-disk at the ear, make them more prominent and even (after its formation, it is advisable to iron the half-disk a little back to the back of the head, press it well to the ear and crush the ends). Your choice of how you want the half disk to look: cover the half disk, lightly touch it, or just hang in the air above it.
After we have made the form, we continue to improve it. Take shaving foam and apply it to the beret large quantities. We coat everything thoroughly, every area (don’t remove the beret!!!). Then wait a few minutes, you can also iron the sides a little, but not too much. Next, we wet our hands with water and begin to rub in the foam (which is on the beret) with movements from side to side, with medium pressure.
Having removed all the stains and white spots, we iron the shape a little more, smooth out the imperfections and leave our creation alone. Under no circumstances do we take off our beret; we walk around in it for about 1.5 hours, or even more. It is advisable to be in a warm place so that it dries on you.
When it's dry on your head, you can put it on a table or on a radiator to dry completely, but so that the half-disc hangs over the edge. Then the beret is completely dry, we must get rid of the pellets that formed from our foam and water. We take a razor and shave in the same directions where we smoothed the creation. We shave so that the surface is smooth and without defects, everything is neat and without rushing.
After this, we take hairspray and spray it on the inside of the beret, that is, where we cut out the lining. Use all the polish, don't waste it, the more the better. All this is done to make the beret harder. You will feel the results after such an operation.
Regulatory documents prescribe exactly how to wear a beret. From there you will find out at what distance from the eyes the headdress should “sit” (usually they require 2 cm), and you will also understand which side the bend should be made on. If you don’t want to make a mistake and appear inappropriately on a holiday, first re-read the charter, and only then start “fighting off”.
Often it is taken in the literal sense of the word “beat off”, that is, to give correct form you will need a hammer. In the case of products made from thin fabrics, and not from thick wool, you can get by with less drastic measures. For example, you can turn to heated water (sweet or starchy), paraffin, or hairspray.
Since most methods require washing, you will have to find the right place to dry before starting manipulations. In this context, a window sill is definitely not suitable, as well as rooms with drafts and rooms with high humidity. You should not place woolen or wool-blend items near heating appliances.. This is fraught with deformation and change in size.
By what means can you fix the shape of a beret?
Home fitting methods are inexpensive. All items necessary for the procedure, with the exception of paraffin, can definitely be found in the kitchen or bathroom.
Sugar water and plate
It is necessary to wet the beret, pull it onto a flat plate (choose dishes that are ideal in size) and leave it in this state until it dries completely. Then place the headdress at the bottom of a basin filled with warm, sweetened water. Wait 2 hours. Dry.
Important! The plate is removed only after drying, that is, there is no need to remove the headdress from it.
Wet it, put it on a mannequin or ball, give it the desired look and let it dry. When this happens, melt the paraffin and apply it pointwise to areas that need additional hardness ( processing is carried out from the wrong side). Correct it, iron it with your hand, and then let it dry completely.
Classic laundry soap has a specific aroma. If you don’t want to become a source of such a smell on a holiday, buy a modern version of household soap in the store (only without coloring additives, otherwise unwanted stains will appear on your headdress). Well, or a product of the same name, suitable for washing children's clothes.
Wet the beret pointwise (only those parts that will undergo transformation). Rub wet areas with a bar of soap. Then fold the headdress to the desired side and secure the edge with a clothespin or paper clips. Leave for several hours.
Rigid frame
Make a cardboard backing. A frame made of wire or other material that holds its shape well and is able to transfer it to another object is also suitable. Then place the beret on the frame or place the backing inside it. Fix in the desired state with double-sided tape and store without removing or moving for several weeks.
Adhesive layer
Buy a base for the adhesive layer (for example, bag flezelin). Take measurements from the beret (you need height and circumference). Transfer the dimensions of the beret onto the interlayer and cut out. Then glue using a hot iron.
Hairspray (maximum strong hold)
Apply a thick layer of the product to the headdress, previously properly “beaten”. There is no point in saving varnish. The more you spray it, the better the beret will “stand”. At the same time, keep in mind that some of these products contain microelements that add shine. This effect is not needed, so read the instructions carefully.
We beat back step by step at home
The reverse side should be processed, not the front side.
Method 1
The most complex and expensive method. However, if performed correctly and strictly following all the instructions, the result will be a headdress that is ideal in shape and angle.
For the event you will need:
Algorithm of actions:
- tear off the lining of the beret (in some cases you can skip this step) and place the headdress in hot water for 2 minutes;
- get it, drive it with your hands excess water (precisely to drive, without twisting or squeezing);
- after the water stops dripping, insert the cockade ( For correct placement, follow the liner inside the beret);
- put on the head, tie;
- smooth out the headdress, give it the correct shape;
- cover the beret with shaving foam without removing it from the head;
- wait a few minutes, wet your hands and start rubbing in the foam;
- give final shape;
- leave alone for 1.5 hours (no need to remove);
- After this time, remove the headdress, clean from pellets and residual traces of foam ( small signs of wear - pellets - are removed using a razor drawn along the pile);
- fill the inside with a large amount of varnish (you should not spare the product, as it will give the headdress the necessary hardness);
- cut a small rectangle out of the card, then make 2 holes in the piece for the “antennae” of the cockade, insert the cockade and tighten the “antennae” to your taste.
Important! The pellets can also be removed using a special machine. It works much more carefully, cleans better, causes less damage to fibers and costs mere pennies.
- smooth the left side of the beret back (while bringing your hand straight to the back of your head);
- smooth the crown to the right;
- We create a half-disc at the right ear.
Method 2
The method is suitable for military and civilians who want to flatten one side of their headgear (bevel it to one side). To do this, you literally have to break off the edge. You will need a hammer and a hard surface strong enough to withstand repeated direct hits from the tool (a barracks stool, for example).
Step-by-step instruction:
The blows should be light, but accurate. If you don’t have the skills to handle the tool or are afraid of ruining the item, use a steel spoon. However, the process of involving her will take longer.
Important! Some servicemen, who do not have any tools at hand, generally make do with a barracks iron mug.
Method 3
A method that is relevant for the teardrop beret. Take a hat, wet it with water and quickly shake it off (no need to get too wet). Next, put the product on yourself and give it the shape prescribed in the charter. Continue this way until completely dry ( do not forget to smooth and adjust the beret from time to time, otherwise it will not dry correctly).
When the beret becomes dry, press down the edge with pliers. If the tool is handled correctly, the part will become as sharp as required.
If the idea of wearing a wet headgear is not pleasant in itself or there are reasons to refrain from such a step, and you have a mannequin or at least a ball at hand, the circumference of which coincides with the circumference of your head, then put a beret on them. However, you need to be prepared for a not entirely correct fit - nevertheless, these objects do not correspond to the curves and structural features of your particular head.
Method 4
Soak the headdress in hot water, remove the bulk of the water with your hand, put the product on, and then give the edge a sharp shape using your fingers (punch the edge), paper clips or clothespins.
Method 5
Wash the product, sprinkle the seam with starch and beat off the edge. Brush off any remaining starch.
Method 6
Wash and iron through gauze (double). Before ironing, place a rolled up wet towel inside the headdress (helps create a shape). Then beat off the edges with a hammer.
Method 7
Soak for a couple of minutes in warm water. Take it out and stuff it tightly with newspapers. Ensure that the form adopted corresponds to that required by the charter. Smooth out the folds, and “bevel” the desired side and secure with clothespins. Leave until completely dry ( in this case, the item should be kept away from operating heating devices and direct sunlight).
Final step: try on the dry beret and, if necessary, correct any imperfections with your fingers dipped in water.
Method 8
- Mix 180 g of water (cold) with 100 g of starch. Mix thoroughly. Add the resulting mixture to 900 g of heated water.
- Dip the beret and give it the desired look after pulling it out. Once you achieve your goal, put it on the ball or dummy. Let dry.
Important! The visor cannot be wet.
Suture beret: nuances
Helpful Notes:
In our country, a beret can more often be found on the head of a military man than on a representative of the fair sex. Women's berets usually made from soft wool or angora. There is no need to beat off such products. It is enough to put them on your head and slightly flatten them along the edge on one of the sides. A military beret is a different matter. It should sit proudly and strictly, indicating the seriousness of its wearer's profession. By the way, by looking at the beret you can determine which branch of the military the owner of the headdress belongs to, as well as obtain other additional information about him.
Black, maroon, blue
IN different countries the same color of the disc-like headdress indicates belonging to different branches of the military. Below are the colors that are relevant for domestic military personnel.
- Black . The black color indicates that they belong to the Marine Corps. This is the most compact of the existing berets. You can easily hide it in your pocket or put it over headphones if necessary. The Marine Corps is the elite of the Russian army. And a black beret is evidence of belonging to this elite.
- Maroon. A military maroon beret is a kind of award for a serviceman, confirming his professionalism. You can get such a headdress only after successfully passing a series of tests. Moreover, first they conduct a training exam, and only after it the military man runs a cross-country race, demonstrates his mastery of acrobatic tricks and engages in hand-to-hand combat with an opponent.
- Blue. Blue berets most often seen on soldiers and Airborne officers. Especially when this branch of the military celebrates professional holiday. Until 1968, paratroopers wore crimson headdresses. But then they were replaced by blue “discs”, the wearing of which is still relevant today.
Berets are divided into seamed and seamless. The latter are popularly called “droplets”.
How to hit a beret at home: simple methods for new recruits...
Any soldier is able to place his beret on his own so that it fits perfectly on his head. And the older and more experienced the serviceman, the more hitting methods he knows. Described below step-by-step instruction will bring the new recruit up to speed and tell you how to prepare the headgear for wearing as quickly and easily as possible.
Sugar water
Peculiarity . To implement this method smoothly, you will need to prepare a solution of water and sugar. To do this, you need to put a tablespoon of granulated sugar in a glass of warm water and mix thoroughly until completely dissolved. After the sugar solution is ready, you need to periodically dip the fingers of the hand used to beat the beret into it. The sugar water will act as a kind of hairspray and help hold the material in place.
What we do
- We put the woolen headdress on any comfortable hand, using the palm as a stand for the beret “disc”.
- With the fingers of the second hand, we begin to vigorously knead the surface of the beret, simultaneously forcing it to take the required shape.
- From time to time we wet the fingers of the “beating” hand in a sugar solution so that when the fabric dries, it remains fixed.
- We straighten the piping.
- When wearing it, we try not to get caught in the rain with a broken beret. Otherwise, the headdress will simply lose its shape.
On the head
Peculiarity . This method will help you quickly shape a seamless beret. You will need to wet the product so that it is slightly damp, put it on your head and do not remove it until the beret is completely dry. By the way, this method can also be used by wearers of ordinary women’s wool berets if they are tired of constantly shaping their headdress when putting it on. The method is not suitable for seamed berets.
What we do
- First of all, we insert a tin badge into the headdress - a cockade.
- Using a spray bottle, wet the product, and then shake it thoroughly to remove all drops of water from the surface.
- We put a damp round hat on our head.
- We form the beret on the head as required by the charter (or following personal preferences).
- We wear it until it is 100% dry.
- Using pliers or pliers, press down the edge, making it as sharp as possible.
With a hammer
Peculiarity . Having an iron and a hammer at hand, you can literally shape a beret in just five minutes - be it a woman’s, a man’s, or a military one. Moreover, both a droplet and a product with a seam. The hat also needs to be wet. A spray bottle will help distribute moisture evenly over the surface of the wool “disc”. There is no need to wet it as much as the previous method requires. Simply spray it with water to prepare it for steaming.
What we do
- We moisten the surface of the headdress.
- Let's start steaming using an iron, having previously set it on the device suitable mode ironing.
- After complete drying, place the beret on a chair or other stable surface on which you can easily hit with a hammer.
- We beat it off with a hammer, moving in a circle.
You can beat the beret until it becomes hard using a regular tablespoon. But only if it is not made of aluminum.
...and difficult for demobilization
It is not always possible to beat off a suture beret beautifully using the methods described above. It all depends on the quality of the fabric and the circumstances of use of the product. If plan “A” does not work, move on to plan “B” - more complex, but at the same time more effective methods.
Shaving foam
Peculiarity . To implement this method, you will need a small “arsenal” - a bottle of shaving foam, an iron or ceramic bowl with hot water, razor, hairspray and tailor's scissors. Each stage of the algorithm described below must be implemented in practice strictly according to the instructions. If you manage to fulfill all the requirements exactly, then the beret will fit on your head like a glove - as if it was made especially for you. But mistakes can lead to damage to the headdress, so try to avoid them.
What we do
- Using small tailor's scissors, carefully rip off the lining.
- Dip the headdress into a vessel with hot water and leave it to soak for a few minutes.
- We squeeze the beret thoroughly, not twisting it, but pressing the product against the terry towel.
- We insert the cockade into the wet beret and put it on the head.
- We begin to smooth the product and give it the required shape.
- You need to hit the beret on the right side. To do this, the crown of the headdress must be directed to the right with your hands. As a result, the coveted half-disc will appear.
- At the next stage, we hold the arch on which the cockade “sits”, and with the other hand we smooth the top of the head forward. This action must be performed assertively and strongly. Otherwise, the beret will not give way, and its shape will remain the same. There is no need to be afraid of damaging the fabric. It is strong enough and it is unlikely that you will be able to tear it apart with your hands.
- After the beret has finally acquired the required shape, we take shaving foam and apply it to its surface. We do this without removing the headdress. We use a mirror for convenience.
- We wait a few minutes, and then we begin to rub the product directly into the fabric, doing it evenly - to avoid the appearance of white stains on the woolen fabric.
- We wear the beret for about an hour and a half until it dries completely.
- Then we remove it and carefully go over its surface with a razor, thus eliminating the pellets formed from the foam.
- Apply hairspray over the entire inner surface. The more the better, ideally a whole bottle.
- From a piece of thin plastic we cut out a shape resembling a cockade and insert it under the metal element - into the space between the cockade and the lining.
Old newspapers
Peculiarity . If you don’t have the desire or ability to wear a wet beret on your head, resort to the method with an old newspaper. To do this, you need to crumple up the shapeless spherical elements and stuff them into the inside of the headdress. In addition to newspapers, you will also need plastic clothespins or women's hairpins that can secure the woolen fabric well.
What we do
- Using a spray bottle, we moisten the beret by spraying water over its surface.
- We stuff the old press inside the beret.
- We use clothespins and hairpins to give the headdress stuffed with newspapers the required shape.
- Leave the woolen “disc” with newspapers inside until completely dry.
- Then we try it on and, if necessary, adjust the resulting shape by re-wetting it.
Tips for wearing an army cap
An army cap also tends to lose its “starched” appearance. Due to their intense contamination, such items have to be washed quite often. This means that every self-respecting soldier should have the skills to return to his former form. And even more so as an officer. There are two methods you can use.
- We dry it on the ball. Taking the headdress out of the drum washing machine, it must first of all be dried properly. This can be done by wearing the product on your head. However, this is not always comfortable. Alternatively, you can place it on a ball, an upside-down 3-liter jar, or other suitable frame.
- We use starch. You won't be able to knock off an army cap, but you can easily starch it. To do this, mix 100 g of starch and 130 g of cold water in a spacious vessel. Add another 900 g of hot water to the mixture and mix thoroughly until the powder is completely dissolved. Then we dip the headdress in the starch solution, avoiding getting it on the visor. We thoroughly soak the cap and, without squeezing the product, put it on the frame until completely dry.
Be sure to pay attention to the material used to form the visor of the cap. Products with a plastic visor can be machine washed. But the cardboard base will not withstand even hand washing. Such a cap will have to be cleaned from dirt and dust using dry cleaning mode.
Returning to shaping the beret, do not despair if it does not suit you the first time. Remember simple thing: Manufacturers use a special pliable fabric, like plasticine, to create berets. If you can't get it into the desired shape, then most likely you are doing something wrong. Check that the algorithm is running correctly and try again.
By the way, there are several more folk ways fixing the beret disk, which were not mentioned above. For example, the use of non-woven fabric - a semi-synthetic paper-like material that is glued under the lining on the inner surface of the beret so that it holds its shape better. For the same purpose, cardboard is used, and sometimes even paraffin or candle wax, poured inside for fixation.
Now you know how to hit the beret correctly and what methods should be used for this purpose. By the way, owners of ordinary (non-military) disc-shaped headdresses can from time to time shape them in a new way - in order to slightly change the image or dilute a boring image. Molding makes it possible to obtain fundamentally new variants from the same product.