Beanie is one of the most controversial accessories in men’s fashion. It’s an easy and quick way to update a look. Others find it difficult to wear one because of the image of David Beckham wearing a comically large woolly hat in 2004.
We understand your concerns about beanie hats. We’d like to encourage you to reconsider this position when choosing your next winter headwear.
The beanie, despite its bad style and misuse, is a useful item in the man’s wardrobe. Most people don’t know how to wear a beanie. We’ve put together a list of key styles for this controversial hat, which will give even the most staunch naysayers some pause.
Try These Beanie Styles
Some of the items on this list were deliberately omitted. Most had their heyday in the 2000s. Remember David Beckham’s loosely worn and oversized beanies, which looked like something the Seven Dwarfs would wear? Do not do this. Or the Craig David style headwear which looked like biological remnants from a circumcision. Do not do this either. Stick to the classic styles of beanie below.
Cuffed Beanie
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Classic woollen beanie, worn over the ears with cuffs all around. Choose a colour that is timeless and wearable and add as little embellishment as you can. You can wear this with anything.
The Fisherman Beanie
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The fisherman beanie is now chunkier, ribbed, and has a more directional appearance. Originally, it was worn by men who were shivering while on the decks or naval frigates of fishing trawlers.
It’s a bit shorter than the standard beanie and is worn by urbanites who love workwear. It is usually worn cuffed and a bit above the ears.
The Bobble Hat
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McCauley Culkin’s success is our success. Although the bobble hat has a juvenile feel, it was originally used by the military. It is perfect for winter.
Look for plain, simple designs or cable-knit styles.
Choose the Right Beanie for Your Face Shape
It’s important to choose the right style because the natural dome shape can enhance your jawline, and your general face shape.
A beanie may not suit you if your face is round. However, bobble hats and ribbed styles will give the impression of length. If you have a long face or narrow features, then a chunkier style will give the appearance of width.
9 Stylish Ways To Wear A Beanie
Casual
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The beanie, at its core is a casual item. It’s no surprise that the beanie is one of the easiest accessories to wear with a casual look. This woolly warmer is at its best when paired with casual staples such as hoodies and jeans.
First, you need to think about the hat. In general, smaller styles work best. A mini-roll beanie that is about half way down the earlobes is a good bet.
The rest of your ensemble will determine a great deal in terms of colour. For maximum versatility, choose navy, black or charcoal. You can also add some interest with a flecked fabric. It doesn’t mean that bright colors are out of the picture, but make sure there’s nothing else in your outfit competing for attention.
As you move southward, opt for casual outerwear like parkas, bomber jackets and overshirts paired with weekend-friendly clothing. Choose footwear that is casual and suede, such as a chukka or minimal canvas.
Workwear
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If you were forced to fill your entire wardrobe with clothing from one subgenre of male fashion, workwear would be a much better choice. We could go on and on about the virtues of workwear. It is durable, versatile, comfortable, and timeless.
Beanies are a key part of the winter collection for this aesthetic. Here, the key style is the undersized fisherman beanie. It has a single roll and sits above the ears.
This is a classic workwear headgear that’s great if you don’t like traditional beanies. Avoid light colours, and make sure the knit is thin so it does not force your ears out. It’s never a good idea.
Three words will guide you in choosing the right outfit: Overshirt, Jeans, Boots. Three of the most important pieces of workwear can be worn season after season. Keep colours dark but feel free to use a brighter colour for the overshirt. The classic colour is royal blue.
Smart Casual
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Not so long ago, wearing a beanie along with any kind of tailoring was unthinkable. Recently, we have seen how it is possible to do this in a fashionable way. You can see this in the sartorial style of male model Richard Biedul.
Use the beanie as a way to further dress down the look. Keep the colour of your headwear neutral and subtle. If you want to be safe, go with grey, navy, or black. For something more seasonal, try burnt orange or burgundy.
Mix and match classics such as dress trousers, black leather shoes and roll neck sweaters with essentials for cold weather like knitted polos and knitted jumpers. Use a smart outerwear, such as a wool coat, to complete the look.
Winter-Ready
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Every year, there comes a time when wearing a warm headwear is unavoidable. This means that many people will reluctantly wear an ugly fleece-lined mug cozy while enduring the morning commute. Style is not a factor. We think that, if it’s going to be worn, it should look nice.
Shop for a more fitted hat instead of the woolly one. If you want to be warm and comfortable, choose a merino blend or a merino-wool combination. Stick to winter-themed colours. Darks, neutrals and blues are all good choices.
Team the beanie with a true winter coat, heavy-gauge knitwear, seasonally-appropriate legwear and some sturdy boots for best results.
Knits & Texture
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The art of dressing well is all about texture. Tactile fabrics add depth and create subtle focal points. They can elevate an outfit to the next level. The headwear you wear can also play a part in this. Consider it a part of the outfit and not just something you add on top.
Choose a beanie with ribs for maximum texture. Select a color that lets the fabric speak for itself. Grey and cream, as well as darker shades of flecked merino wool are great for this.
Other textures can be used to complement each other. A chunky sweater that matches the hat will create a contrast, while outerwear in wool, suede, or shearling creates a contrast. Textured wool pants are a favourite for winter and can be worn with anything, from Derby shoes to luxury sneakers.
Streetwear
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You can style a beanie in countless ways with streetwear, sportswear and hip-hop outfits. This end of the market is more colourful and has overt branding, but black beanies can also anchor an outfit with oversized outerwear or bold prints.
It is also possible to wear the reverse. Wear a bold beanie over a black puffer or hoodie. This is menswear that doesn’t hold back, so you can wear clashing colours and patterns.
Commuter
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A beanie can also come in handy on a cold morning while you’re driving to work. These beanie hats go well with any modern officewear. Simply match your headgear to your outerwear.
A simple beanie will go well with an overcoat, puffer or trucker.
If you are wearing headphones to work, ensure that your hat will fit comfortably over them or vice versa.
The Great Outdoors
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The hiking gear is now a part of everyday menswear, and it doesn’t seem like the trend will be going away anytime soon. Add a beanie to the mix of fleece tops and trail shoes, technical rain jackets, and other everyday men’s clothing.
You can choose to be a specialist based on your weekend activities. Look for fleece and elasticated linings if you’re going to be in the wilderness. There aren’t many rules if it’s the first option: You can use more color, pattern, and branding as long as they coordinate.
With a Suit
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This look may be as controversial as Brexit, and there are more sceptics that advocates. The traditional rules of tailoring are no longer relevant. They are now fluttering in the breeze. We believe there are two ways of wearing a beanie to go with a suit.
You can choose to go tonal and pair a hat of a different colour with your suit. For example, a grey suit would look great with an off-white cap. You can also go for the peacock look, where you add a beanie to bring out the colour of your suit (orange, yellow, green), or wear it as an accent piece. If you choose either option, opt for a hat made of a thicker material.