Introduction: One hat, two Americas behind it
Beret, a round soft hat originally from the European mountains, has a more complicated development path in the United States than you might think. From the Green Berets to the Black Panthers, from military glory to street expression, it shuttles between different groups, symbolizing discipline, strength, rebellion, art and style.
1. The status of berets in the US military: a symbol of seriousness and a mark of honor
1.1 "Green Beret": a synonym for the US Special Forces
- The most well-known representative of berets in the US military is the Green Beret worn by the U.S. Army Special Forces:
- Establishment time: 1952
- Origin of color: symbolizes tactical flexibility and special warfare missions
- Public influence: The Green Berets movie, John Wayne endorsement, JFK once praised it as a "symbol of warriors"
- The Green Beret is not only a symbol of combat effectiveness, but also a manifestation of service honor - only soldiers who have passed special training (Q-Course) are eligible to wear it.
1.2 Military distinction between different colored berets
- Black beret: a general military cap for the US Army after 2001 (later quietly cancelled)
- Burgundy (Maroon) beret: airborne troops
- Dark blue beret: Air Force security forces
- Tank soldiers, Rangers, National Guard, etc.: also have different colors/badge configurations
1.3 The symbolic meaning of berets and military culture
- Identity and professionalism: behind each hat is a kind of training and a career path
- Organizational belonging: an identification tool within the army
- Visual deterrence: showing the image of elite troops to the outside world
2. From resistance to trend: the new symbol of berets in street culture
2.1 The Black Panther Party and the political symbol of berets
- In the 1960s, the African-American social movement organization "Black Panther Party" used black berets as a standard uniform, paired with black leather jackets and military boots, to create a powerful visual identity:
- Meaning: resisting oppression, strengthening racial identity, expressing the right to armed self-defense
- Communication power: through television, photography, and editorial communication, berets have become a symbol of black power and anti-establishment
- Historical positioning: berets have changed from military use to a tool for political expression
This makes berets have a deep identity political meaning in black culture, not just an "aesthetic choice".
2.2 Hip-hop culture and berets
- With the rise of Hip-Hop culture in the 1980s, berets were adopted by some hip-hop singers and given a trendy style:
- Artist examples: Erykah Badu, Tupac, Mos Def
- Styling features: crooked wear, wide, paired with military uniforms or oversized jackets
- Style value: expressing independence, street attitude, cultural identity
- At this time, berets are more regarded as "personal weapons" and are closely related to music, race, and class struggles.
3. When berets meet fashion: from military to high street
3.1 “Cultural borrowing” by fashion brands
- Fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Dsquared2, and Gucci frequently use berets to create a retro and military feel
- Street brands such as Off-White and Supreme combine them with street political language and launch camouflage, red star, and badge styles
3.2 “Fashion reorganization” of K-Pop and Gen-Z
- In recent years, berets have become a popular element of the new generation under the trend of Korean idols and TikTok
- Different from political or military uses, Generation Z uses berets more as “retro neutral hats” and matches them with loose sweatshirts, short skirts, chain bags, etc.
3.3 Who is wearing berets? Diverse groups in the United States
- Soldiers/veterans: logo and honor, straight and straight
- Black social activists: expression of ethnic identity, mainly black, with military style
- Hip-hop singers/literary youth: street attitude, crooked wear, exaggerated hat shape
- Fashion experts: matching tools, colorful wool models, emphasizing personality
- Young consumers: TikTok style, retro Japanese style, strong girlish feeling
4. American cultural mirror under the hat: unity and division coexist
4.1 The same hat shape, different positions
- The military uses it to unify identity and establish order
- The street uses it to express dissatisfaction and show independence
- The fashion circle uses it to break the boundaries of gender and class
4.2 The semiotic value of berets
- Color: black = protest / green = honor / red = revolution / gray = retro
- Structure: the stiffer it is, the more "uniform-like", the softer it is, the more "street-like"
- Position: straight = military; crooked = trend; back = personality
Conclusion: Berets are the epitome of American multiculturalism
In the United States, berets are never a single symbol. They can represent heroism or resistance to authority; they can be a military rank or a fashion attitude.
It embodies the contradictions and tensions of American society: soldiers and hip-hop singers wear them, conservatives and radical activists agree with its image, but the content they express is completely different.
So, next time you see someone wearing a beret, think about it: Is he trying to express discipline? Rebellion? Or a pure sense of style?