I always thought that a beret was rather rakish, but on Americans, it looks silly.

Sorry, but my time in the Marines convinced me to hate these.

Berets are OK for some units in the military, for morale and prestige purposes (airborne, Special Forces/Green Berets, Rangers), but now that the US military has adopted them as standard for everyone, it cheapens their value in my estimation. They really aren't very practical (other than being able to roll or scrunch them up to carry easily) - no eye protection, no neck protection, no ear protection. Outside the military, it's sort of a fashion statement (with a bad accent!).

Well, They did work for Monica Lewinsky and France...

If you're in a special forces unit, or are a Parisien boulevardier, just fine. Otherwise, just foolish.

As with the sailor's cap, they look fine if you're in the military. Otherwise, no.

I wore one for a few days when I was an undergraduate, and was ridiculed for it. It's a good thing too, because I stopped right away. They seem to say--look at ME, I'm pretentious.

Berets are kind of cute, but a person can look ridiculous in one, too, as though he is trying to state, I am an artiste.