This beret was acquired for the exhibition Streetstyle held at the V&A Museum in 1994. It was worn in the 1940s by Bulee "Slim" Gaillard, an African-American jazz singer, songwriter and musican. Notable for his style - his trousers were said to be ‘sharper than a Gillette blade’ – Slim enjoyed a revival in the late 1970s. He remained true to his original style but added a beret (always red or white) which he customised by washing and stretching it, sometimes pulling off the tail and wearing the brim on the outside.