Capes & Tartes Alpin

The Chasseurs Alpins too, used a hooded cape as a traditional outer garment. This was introduced around the 1930s (c. 1935) in a khaki cloth version, intended as a practical overgarment for use over other layers when in the mountains or on walking-out duties. It was similar in function to other military rain/outer cloaks but tailored for alpine service.

During the 1939–40 campaign, Chasseurs Alpins increasingly relied on a layered system of clothing for mountain warfare. Traditional garments such as the navy hooded cape continued to be worn over modern layers for warmth and weather protection when moving in severe mountain conditions.

In uniform displays (e.g., in military museums), Chasseurs Alpins officer uniforms typically include a hooded cape as part of the ensemble along with the distinctive tarte beret and other mountain gear — this underscores the cape’s association with mountain troop dress even if it later fell out of widespread service.

Capes & Berets

Another garment once frequently paired with the beret—but now largely vanished from everyday dress—is the cape. 

Evolving from the simple blanket worn around the shoulders, it served as protection against cold and rain and doubled as a cover for sleeping outdoors.

The cape is a sleeveless outer garment, short or long, draped loosely and fastened at the neck or shoulders, covering the back, shoulders, and arms.

While its earliest origins are unclear, early references appear in Ancient Roman military attire. In medieval Europe, the cape—often worn with a hood—became commonplace.

For centuries, it was also a standard garment among shepherds on both sides of the Pyrenees, valued for its practicality, protection from the elements and quiet durability.

Kapusai

A kapusai (also spelled kapusail) is a traditional hooded woollen cloak or raincoat originating from the Basque Country. It was historically used by Basque shepherds and labourers to protect against rain and cold.

Shepherd from Hiriberri in 1924, wearing a kapusai over his beret

The garment typically covers both the body and head simultaneously, functioning as a heavy poncho or hooded cape. It is sometimes compared to a capisayo or anguarina in Spanish.

A photo of 1913, of a shepherd wearing a beret, or boina, under the hood of his anguarina:

Balaclava & Beret

Basque shepherds have always been creative and inventive in their struggle against the cold in the mountains. Shepherds in the Atxondo Valley (Anboto Mountains) used to wear blankets that also covered their heads; nowadays they wear scarves.

Meanwhile, the shepherds from Aoiz, Larraun, Lezaun, Sangüesa, San Martín de Unx (Northern Spain), and also Moreda (Alicante) used balaclavas made of cloth or wool "to prevent chilblains on their ears," as one shepherd from Álava explained.

Francisco Guerra Marcos "CUCKOO"

Francisco Guerra Marcos was a shepherd. He was born into a humble family on October 20, 1902, in Monte de Matilla.

From a young age, and as was normal at that time, he received a nickname, "Cuckoo".

He married and had three daughters. A few years later, he had the misfortune of becoming a widow, but he managed to raise his daughters by working as a shepherd, a job that was very demanding and poorly paid at the time. He continued this work almost until the end of his life. Cuckoo died 0n 21 November, 1996.

Jean Andreau

Jean Edouard Andreau (1890 – 1953) was a French engineer specializing in aerodynamics.

In 1924, he made a variable stroke engine: The Andreau Engine. This engine successfully passed all the tests at the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. It is also likely that it still holds the world record for lowest consumption with 165 gr CV hour. This engine was built at Engrenages Citroën in several hundred copies.

He also produced a three-wheeled car with the 11 hp Citroën front-wheel drive engine. Maximum speed 160 km/h and at normal cruising speeds: 6 l per 100 km. 

Bulgaria

Berets from Bulgaria

From Sitka, Alaska

 An Ebay-find: an old beret with memorabilia of Reladasa Tours and the Sitka (Alaska) Visitors Bureau.

The tour company didn't survive the beret, a quick Google search taught me. 

Antonio Santos

Born in Huesca in 1955, illustrator, writer, sculptor, and painter Antonio Santos  studied Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, such as the 2018 Spanish Ministry of Culture Award for Best Published Book for 'Cuentos de la Selva' (Tales of the Jungle), the Daniel Gil Award for Best Children's Book for 'Y con la cebra que pasó' (And the Zebra That Passed By), and the second National Illustration Prize in 2004. He has held more than sixty solo exhibitions.

According to Santos, illustrating a text is "telling a story with images" and fulfills an "essentially narrative" role. But when the illustration, as is often the case, is related to a text, the illustrator's craft "must be subordinate to the accompanying text." Therefore, among his works, those dedicated to illustrating children's stories stand out, in which the images replace the words in the task of narrating.

This image is a poster for "La lluvia amarilla" (The Yellow Rain), a renowned literary work by Julio Llamazares. The image features a striking black and white illustration of a figure sitting alone, which reflects the novel's themes of solitude and abandonment in rural Spain. The work has been adapted into various artistic disciplines, including theatre and film.

 

Béret de l'infanterie de forteresse - 1939

During the Interbellum, many French officers chose to buy their own (Basque) beret, instead of wearing the government issued beret worn by the troops.

It not only explains the cabillou on many military berets of the era, but also the  luxurious lining, leather headband and the same label as seen in Basque berets in the country.

This is a PeBeO, made by Blancq-Olibet in Nay, worn by an officer of the Fortress Regiment at the Maginot Line. 

Météo à la carte - France Télévision 2

Following yesterday's post on Manufacture de Berets in Orthez, this video  by Météo à la carte - France Télévision shows the workings of Laulhere in Oloron Sainte Marie, France's oldest beret manufacturer still in operation.

The video is interesting, the voice-over in English leaves a lot to be desired...

Météo à la carte - France Télévision 1

An interesting 6 minute video on the history and work of Manufacture de Berets in Orthez. 

The English spoken voice-over is terrible, but it does helps to understand the various processes and information given.  

An Empirical Study of Basque Berets vs MAGA Caps

A new transatlantic study has revealed a striking cognitive divide between Basque beret wearers and Americans in MAGA ballcaps. 

Beret users scored highest in abstract reasoning, literature recall, and the ability to detect irony. Ballcap wearers, meanwhile, excelled in shouting across parking lots and mistaking opinion for research. 

Scientists hypothesize that the beret’s breathable wool stimulates critical thought, whereas the MAGA cap’s synthetic Chinese made fibers trap both heat and ideology. 

The research team stresses these findings are “purely observational”—though none could ignore that one group debates Camus, while the other still argues about climate change. 

 

Attu Island Woman and Baby 1941

This photo has more historic significance than first meets the eye. The photographer, J. Malcolm Greany, field Assistant, Alaska Game Commission, out of Juneau, was on the Patrol of the M.S. Brown Bear to the Aleutian Islands June 7th to September 13th, 1941. This was a short time before the start of the Pacific War and a few months before the Japanese invaded Attu and Kiska Islands on the west end of the Aleutian Islands.

From Attu the Japanese soldiers took 42 Native Alaskans, residents of Attu, as “prisoners of war,” and transported them to Japan where they were held as war prisoners until the end of the war in 1945. Only 22 of the civilians survived to return to their island.

The woman's name was Annie, the second wife to chief Mike Hodikoff. She and her baby were no doubt two of the 42 taken.

93e Régiment d’Artillerie de Montagne

A moment filled with emotion and pride for Lieutenant Benjamin's young recruits: after months of hard work.

The recruits were presented with the regimental colors, in front of their families and comrades. This symbolic moment marks their entry into the extended family of the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment.

Marguerite Yourcenar

 “The older I get, the more I realize that childhood and old age are not only connected, but that they are the two most profound states in which we are allowed to live. They reveal the true essence of an individual, before or after the struggles, aspirations, and ambitions of life.”

“The eyes of the child and the eyes of the old woman look with the quiet frankness of those who have not yet entered the masquerade ball or who have already left it. And the entire interlude seems like a vain commotion, an empty agitation, a pointless chaos that makes you wonder why it had to happen.”

Dress Like a Gaucho

To dress like a gaucho is to dress in history. Each garment was born from the need and pride of belonging to the land. Every piece has its purpose. 

The beret, or boina, was inherited from Basque immigrants, to protect from the wind and sun. It became distinctive of the gaucho for its simplicity and comfort.

The pañuelo is tied around the neck, and in addition to providing warmth, it is an aesthetic symbol and a symbol of regional identity.

The chaleco, or vest, adds warmth and elegance.

The tirador, or wide belt, decorated with coins and straps and used to carry the facón, a large knife and part of gaucho identity.

The faja is a wide fabric that wraps around the waist, holds up the underwear, and gives lumbar support.  That offer free movement.

Bombachas de campo are loose, wide comfortable pants that offer free movement.

Botas de potro are rawhide boots, but in summer, often espadrilles/alpargatas were worn.

Jorge Guedes & Família

Jorge Procópio Ferreira Guedes (1964), is a singer and composer of nativist and missionary music, having collaborated with great names such as Noel Guarany, Jayme Caetano Braun and Cenair Maicá.

Considered one of the best singers in Rio Grande do Sul, Jorge Guedes has stood out as an important promoter of missionary culture, both on national and international stages.

From 2003 to 2013 he did not record, but, together with his family, he participated in major shows, such as the 40th anniversary of Che Guevara 's death in Bolivia, the Festival del Chamamé in Argentina, the Encontro Internacional de Chamameceros São Luiz Gonzaga, and the Programa do Jô in São Paulo.

Los Hermanos Cubero

Los Hermanos Cubero is the stage name of the musicians and brothers Enrique and Roberto Ruiz Cubero from Guadalajara.

With the intention of composing freely, Roberto and Enrique formed Los Hermanos Cubero, entering a competition in 2010 that awarded them the 2nd European Prize for New Folklore Creation "Agapito Marazuela." 

Their style is eminently acoustic, and although deeply rooted in traditional music, eclecticism is a constant throughout their work, characterized by respect for traditional rhythms, structures, and metrics (Seguidillas, Paloteos, Ruedas, Fandangos, Jotas, etc.) while providing a contemporary dimension to both the lyrics and the harmonies. In addition to composing original pieces, they also incorporate traditional pieces into their repertoire.

Workers

Workers in 1950s Hungary.