Despite the accessory trending since 2016, and existing for hundreds of years prior, many aspiring fashionistas question if they have what it takes to don a beret. A new app, “Beret or Nay,” tracks how much time users spend wondering if they can actually pull it off without looking totally ridiculous.
“For many, the fascination with French headwear began in the year 2000, when the Beret Girl from An Extremely Goofy Movie graced their televisions. But can an average person pull it off?” says CEO and creator Jamie Frank. “Questions like, ‘Do I have the right head shape for a beret?’ and ‘Do I look like someone who had a Paris-themed bedroom in middle school?’ keep users active on the app for four to six hours a day.”
“I don’t even own a black turtleneck. Zero pairs of black cigarette pants and I don’t even smoke. Who am I kidding?” says one user, Briana. “Do I have ‘it’? It has to be clear to everyone, including me, that I am Andrea at the end of The Devil Wears Prada, not before. I want to say ‘Yay, beret!’ but until then, I’ll be logging time on Beret or Nay.”
Another user, Madison, wondered if she had a suitable occasion to even wear a beret.
“I don’t manage a ritzy clothing boutique. No upcoming art exhibitions. I almost never wake up in time to make it to the local farmer’s market,” she said. “But I want a record of how much time I spend wondering what that thing in the middle of the beret is called and if I could really wear one without looking like an asshole.”
“Is black too serious? Too ‘Oui, oui, monsieur?’” says Macy. “If I bought a cream-colored beret, is it too obvious that I’m trying to be Natalie from Love Actually? Dare I say raspberry? The kind you find in a secondhand store? Too bold. I’m not ready for that kind of attention. I don’t think I deserve it. Oh, I just got a notification. ‘Woo-hoo! You did it! You’re on a seven-day streak. Keep it up!’”
“I’ve done beanies,” Macy adds. “I think I’m ready to commit to the beret. I think. I don’t know. I just want my life back. Today I clocked 8 hours and 47 minutes on the app, which makes me a power user.”
