The No. 1 thing you need to bring on a trip to Paris

As a Seasoned Traveler, I already know the drill when it comes to packing.

I have braved the rugged terrain of Scotland with the best Primark has to offer (I’m really into the fuzzy backpack and I haven’t put it down since). I’ve got my travel journey creature comforts down to a science. I’ve come a long way from September, when I was just figuring out how much makeup I could take with me to Berlin and the pros + cons of bringing along technology.

I’m going to Paris this weekend with Hope. And while I will be bringing more than one thing with me, there is absolutely one thing you must have on your person as you head off to La Ville Lumière: a beret.

Yes, even I, with my voluminous afro, will be donning a beret this weekend. I have genius beauty vlogger Nik Scott to thank for that!

And so, in honor of this chic past-time français, I thought I’d curate a collection of the best berets on the market.

The Classic Beret

It’s perfect for eating a lot of croissants, smoking a lot of cigarettes and listening to a lot of Carla Bruni, Pink Martini and Nina Simone. Snag this woolen bad boy at Topshop for £12.

The Romantic Beret
What says romance more than Paris and velvet? Rien.


Forever21 is selling Rimbaud-level devotion and rosé-flavoured rendezvous for £12 each.

The Girl Power Beret
Berets are often the symbol of the revolutionary. Sometimes, radical self-love is the most revolutionary act of all.

Wear your hopes and dreams on your sleeve for £14 at Topshop.

The Edgy Beret
If you find yourself listening to ETHS or other French metal bands, then this is probably the £12 chapeau for you.

Likewise, a burning skull wouldn’t be a bad touch.

Nor would this £12-pound, Addams-esque beret (also from ASOS).

If you’re the sort of cool kid who’d find themselves at a rap gig at La Cigale, a grommeted or fire-kissed beret is definitely your speed.

The Nouvelle Vague Beret
If you want to look like a glossy French cinema star, dressing a bit more sophistiqué is the way to do it.

This £16 beret will have you feeling all times of célèbre.

Et c’est tout! I am definitely looking forward to visiting Paris and flexing en français and soaking in the culture.

Unlike the past few trips I’ve taken from London, I will be bringing my laptop with me. But we’ll see if I’m up for writing or inclined to impose my usual moratorium on updating and traveling out from London.

The way it’s been the past few trips, early morning travel and endless walking tours a zombified Caroline makes. At least this time, I know I’ll be the zombie la plus belle that side of the Channel.