How to Wear an Army Beret

Co-authored by Madeleine Flamiano Reviewed by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: May 1, 2025 Fact Checked

Since an army beret is an iconic part of a military uniform, it’s important to wear one correctly. Here, we’ll walk you through the simple steps of checking that your beret follows protocol so you can make a strong impression. Read our quick guide to demonstrate respect and abide by the rules when you put on your army beret.

1

Make sure the beret’s headband is straight.

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Check that your beret's edge binding forms a horizontal line. Move your beret so that the band is completely straight and rests no more than one inch above your eyebrows.
- The words "headband" and "edge binding" both refer to the leather trim at the bottom of the beret.

2

Position the beret's badge over the left eye.

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Follow military protocol and show off your troop’s insignia. Orient the flash—a distinctive and colorful badge—toward the left. Then, adjust your beret so the flash is centered over your left eye to bring full attention to it.^{[1]
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- The insignia on a beret has several meanings. Some denote a specific regiment, such as special forces or paratroopers. Others display the rank of military officers.

3

Move the beret's excess material to the right.

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Move any loose fabric so it touches the top of your ear. Gather up the excess fabric and pull it to the right side of the beret. To achieve a neat appearance when you drape the fabric over to the right, smooth it out and create a slight fold. Make sure the material does not fall below the middle of your ear.
- To fold the excess fabric, you may need to bend the cardboard stiffener beneath it.

4

Tuck in the leather band of your beret to hide it.

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Tie off the leather band into a knot, then slide it into the edge binding. Check the back of your beret and tie the ends of the leather band, which will look like parts of a ribbon, into a non-slip knot. Then, cut off any remaining material that's beneath the knot. Slip the knot into the beret's edge binding to completely conceal it.^{[2]
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- Turn to the side and look in a mirror to make sure the knot isn't pushed above the edge binding and doesn't create a visible bump.

5

Use a mirror to fully inspect your beret.

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Confirm that the front and the back of your beret meet protocol. See if the edge binding is completely straight across your forehead. Also be sure that the leather band forms a horizontal line at the back of your beret. Check that your beret is snug—it should fit on your head without being too loose or too tight.^{[3]
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- Look for small details, too. For example, make sure that there aren't any loose threads from the leather band you cut. If you see any wool pills on your beret, gently shave them off with a disposable razor.

6

Shape your beret with water (if needed).

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Mold a damp beret if you need to customize its fit. Fill one bowl with warm water and another with cold water. Dip the wool of your beret’s cap into the warm water, then transfer it to the bowl of cold water. Once the beret is wet, place it on your head and adjust it until it fits comfortably.^{[4]
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- Make sure the cap absorbs as much water as it can from each bowl. This will begin to loosen the fabric of the beret so it’s easier to shape.

7

Style long hair when wearing a beret.

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Tuck or style long hair to meet every standard. If you have bangs, pin them up and obscure them from view. Make sure all hairstyles are tightly secured to your head. To make a military bun, style it so it’s no thicker than 3.5 inches. Like with buns, braided hair should not extend below the back of the collar.
- Dreadlocks are now allowed to be worn in uniform. Each dreadlock must be no wider than 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) and must be able to fit into a bun no thicker than 3.5 inches (8.89 cm).^{[5]
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- Free-hanging styles, such as loose ponytails, are not permitted.
- Any items securing your hair should be as close to your natural hair color as possible. Decorative pins, hair ties or clips are not allowed.

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Question

Why does the French Foreign Legion wear the beret with the badge over the right eye, folded down to the left? Is there a special reason for that?

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Expert Answer

The French Foreign Legion actually invented the "béret" and created a special protocol centered on folding the béret down to the left side of their face. This standard was intended to support the riflemen in the French army so their view wasn't obstructed. As many riflemen were likely right eye dominant, it was important that their béret didn't fall over their right eye. Seeing that this was the case, it seemed safer to fold the béret to the left. Thank you for your interesting question!

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