basque beret, buying

[Bill Anthony]

I will be looking to purchase several Basque berets on my feb/march 2018 walk, are they around? When googling the subject there seems to be a lack of this product. Are they better parts of the Camino Frances to be on the lookout for the berets?

 

[wayfarer]

They are available in StJPdP

 

[Bill Anthony]

They are available in StJPdP

Thank you. Originally I was going to catch the 1st train to SJPP, get stamped at the office and be on my way. Sound like I want to hang around a little.

 

[mspath]

There are many shops along
the rue d'Espagne, which is also the camino going westward, which sell Basque fabric, tablecloths, espadrilles and berets.

 

[Kitsambler]

Do pilgrims actually wear the berets? Or are they more a souvenir? (I'm wondering if it's anything like a Scotsman and his kilt, in that only a Scot should wear a kilt.)

 

[Bill Anthony]

Do pilgrims actually wear the berets? Or are they more a souvenir? (I'm wondering if it's anything like a Scotsman and his kilt, in that only a Scot should wear a kilt.)

Hats and pocket knives one can never have enough of. The Toronto area, I have not seen one on a man under 70, maybe I can change that! The hats are more for the girls as presents, but I want one. Cold wet weather, 100% wool, small and packable, what isn't there to like.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Pilgrims wear all kinds of hats. And skirts. Berets are not just a Basque thing. You will see them on top of Castilians, Gallegos, Frenchmen, Portuguese, and Italians... You can buy a really top-class wool one in Santiago de Compostela, at the shop that sells nothing but hats!

 

[MinaKamina]

You can order one online if you like. Many French / Basque manufacturers sell through their website, or you might buy one online in USA, for instance with Hatshopping
https://www.hatshopping.com/Laulhere.html

 

[Robo]

Do pilgrims actually wear the berets? Or are they more a souvenir? (I'm wondering if it's anything like a Scotsman and his kilt, in that only a Scot should wear a kilt.)

Having worn a Beret for 25 years in my 'previous life' I would be concerned about wearing it correctly

Who could imagine there are so many ways to wear such an innocent looking bit of head gear !
Wear it right...........and you fit right in.
Wear it wrong..........and you stand right out

 

[Felipe]

Tourist shops will sell you cheap and overpriced stuff. I'd suggest you avoid buying in SJPP and do your purchase in Pamplona (or Biarritz, if you make a connection there), in a cloth shop. Ask hospitalero. Be sure it is "pure lain" (pure wool); the good ones have a leather sweatband in the inside, and a lining. Good products will be between 20-40 euros; it may seem a bit expensive, but it will be with you all your life...you can even inherit it to your children. Just be sure it is safe from moths.
As for actually wearing the basque berets...my impression is that for most city people berets are a thing for festivities and special occasions. It is more usual in villages. @biarritzdon, here in the forum, should know more about this. But don't worry, wear what you like...I have seen all kind of styles in the Camino, from the smart to the really odd -and nobody cares. Your beret could actually be a good conversation ice-breaker.

 

[Jill81]

Here is an interesting short video about the French béret manufacturer Laulhère, one of, or perhaps the last traditional béret maker in the world based in Oloron Sainte Marie, not far from St Jean Pied de Port.

A very traditional factory trying to keep going in a market flooded with cheap copies. . . and run by an Irishman!

https://monocle.com/film/business/vive-le-beret/

 

[Bradypus]

Having worn a Beret for 25 years in my 'previous life' I would be concerned about wearing it correctly

Me too! More than twenty years on I can still remember the look of theatrical despair and disgust from an RSM at the shapeless and as-yet-unshrunk cowpats worn by me and the rest of my intake. Amongst the more repeatable terms he used was "Benny ******* Hill!"

 

[Icacos]

Here is an interesting short video about the French béret manufacturer Laulhère, one of, or perhaps the last traditional béret maker in the world based in Oloron Sainte Marie, not far from St Jean Pied de Port.

A very traditional factory trying to keep going in a market flooded with cheap copies. . . and run by an Irishman!

https://monocle.com/film/business/vive-le-beret/

Heart warming! Thank you for this. I wish Laulhère and its employees every success.

 

[SYates]

Do pilgrims actually wear the berets? Or are they more a souvenir?...

I think I can count the pilgrims seeing wearing them on two fingers ;-) Buen Camino, SY

 

[shefollowsshells]

I will be looking to purchase several Basque berets on my feb/march 2018 walk, are they around? When googling the subject there seems to be a lack of this product. Are they better parts of the Camino Frances to be on the lookout for the berets?

GREAT little video and education about the beret.
I grew up with my father wearing a beret, and still does! He loves France and I grew up with my mom making me promise if she dies to find my father " a nice French woman to marry"...
This segment came on one of my favorite shows "Sunday Morning", which has segments every Sunday paying tribute to many things one might not normally inquire about. As a homeschool mom it is mandatory watching for all of my children.
http://www.cbs.com/shows/cbs-sunday...h9ZuIrnCytvZ1SjoINAGy/hats-off-to-the-beret-/

 

[Sailor]

Thanks for the link to the video! You are never too senior to learn, I was not aware of this "the beret, that French cap which originated in the Pyrenees about 400 years ago . . ." and now we know the rest of the story! Thanks, que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

What a lovely video. Reminds me of Kinky Boots!

I remember having a navy blue berret as a child. I wonder what happened to it. As I have a « tête à chapeau » I also have my mink Chapka bought in 1989 in Lenningrad, but I think I will visit the Laulhiere website to see what else might be of interest. Having super curly hair does make wearing hats difficult.

But back to Camino, I think it was only on the Norte where I saw people wearing the beret. On some older gentleman, but also on the fun sheep logo seen on the back of so many cars there.

Perhaps I will start a thread about that sheep logo and its meaning, as it is not political as so many may think it is, and yet such a success in terms of patrimonial imagery.

 

[oursonpolaire]

They can be bought at Sombreria Iglesias, at 34 rua Villar in Santiago (sombrereriaiglesias.es). Just nip across from the Casino Cafe.

I do not know if I have ever seen a pilgrim wearing a beret.

 

[Bill Anthony]

They can be bought at Sombreria Iglesias, at 34 rua Villar in Santiago (sombrereriaiglesias.es). Just nip across from the Casino Cafe.

I do not know if I have ever seen a pilgrim wearing a beret.

There is a Spanish maker of Basque Berets called Elosequi of Tolosa. They are nw of Pamplona near the A1. By the comments, not a popular product, but has anyone been to that town?

 

[HeidiL]

If you're flying out of Madrid, the little, old hat shop in Plaza de España was still there last year - with a good selection in the window.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Gorostiaga, Bilbao. Pretty much on the Norte path. I hung around outside for a while, before sadly and with difficulty deciding I'm not really a beret person (except wistfully). A few pics I found on the web

 

[Deleted member 43780]

some of the clothing stores have them. Believe ask for "boinas."

If you have some time in Madrid, one of the best stores in Madrid is La Favorita:

https://www.lafavoritacb.com/es/boinas

Plaza Mayor 25. This store has been there for years and years. Family owned and ran.
Mostly locals shop there and some tourists.
Very good quality. Compare cost of buying them in Spain vs back in the US. wow.

And since at Plaza Mayo, enjoy a Calamari Sandwich.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187514-d991125-r260910869-La_Ideal-Madrid.html


Years ago, back in the 50s, every Spanish man wore a Bonia. They used to be very popular

 

[Bill Anthony]

Gorostiaga, Bilbao. Pretty much on the Norte path. I hung around outside for a while, before sadly and with difficulty deciding I'm not really a beret person (except wistfully).

Thanks for the pictures and the post, hoping someone can use this information. After the Camino Frances I will be flying From Porto, the home of Port. There is always a bottle in the house, with most nights it is enjoyed. The walk is 3 months away now and I am having troubles deciding what is most exciting; the Camino, a basque beret from Spain/wearing it in Spain or visiting Porto. I'am thinking of myself now, back to the subject at hand. Great to see you were considering a beret and with your post, people will know where to go in Spain to get beret.

 

[Boot of the Beast]

This store is in Pamplona. Agree that you will pay a premium price in StJpdP. But think they are pretty expensive any time.

 

[Bill Anthony]

This store is in Pamplona. Agree that you will pay a premium price in StJpdP. But think they are pretty expensive any time.

Thanks for the information, just googled it, the shop looks great.

 

[Kanga]

There is a simply glorious shop in SDC, close to the Cathedral. All kinds of hats including a wonderful collection of berets. So if you don't want to carry it...

 

[Bill Anthony]

There is a simply glorious shop in SDC, close to the Cathedral. All kinds of hats including a wonderful collection of berets. So if you don't want to carry it...

I will be on the lookout for the shop in SDC as a place for gift buying. A wool beret for my winter camino would be nice. My understanding that Feb/March might be a little windy for that type of hat.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

This store is in Pamplona. Agree that you will pay a premium price in StJpdP. But think they are pretty expensive any time.

The best store in Pamplona. in front of the town hall.
Real berets, not for tourists.
Boina, in Spanish language
Txapela, in Euskera (Basque language)

 

[Bill Anthony]

The best store in Pamplona. in front of the town hall.

Thanks for the recommendation, this is the 2nd one for that store.
Getting a beret, Boina, Txapela and a sim card in Pamplona, appears the whole day will be spent shopping and sight seeing in that city.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Thanks for the recommendation, this is the 2nd one for that store.
Getting a beret, Boina, Txapela and a sim card in Pamplona, appears the whole day will be spent shopping and sight seeing in that city.

Pamplona is a good city to spend a day to sight seeing