Cold-weather headwear is notoriously difficult to navigate. Beanies for men are the only vaguely acceptable option and let’s face it, they’re hardly held in high regard by followers of fashion.
However, as is the case with so many things in the world of style – it’s not just a matter of what you wear, it’s also about how you wear it. And with that reasoning very much in mind, we’d like to take to the stand in defense of one of winter’s most misunderstood accessories.
If you’ve ever uttered the words, “Hats just don’t suit me” it may be because you’ve simply been wearing the wrong ones. Beanies work well with menswear’s current love of utilitarian workwear, and there are several styles to match even the weirdest and lumpiest of face shapes. We’ll explain all about how to wear a beanie the right way shortly.
Men’s Beanie Guide: A Complete Guide
These failsafe winter hats belong in every guy’s wardrobe, but how exactly should men style beanies? You can style your beanies in a variety of ways. Here are our favorites.
1. Classic Cuffed Beanie
When you hear ‘woolly hat’ this is most likely what you think of – and there’s a good reason for that. This is a very popular and versatile style that has been embraced by hip-hop royalty as well as workmen and others.
The granddaddy of men’s beanie hats.
2. The Fisherman Beanie
It may have become the hipsters’ cold-weather headgear of choice, but don’t let that put you off. The fisherman beanie is at its best when styled to match a look inspired by workwear.
This small woolly hat is a miniature version of a turban. It sits just above your ear and has rounded edges.
3. The Bobble Hat
A pom-pom isn’t exactly the manliest of decorative details, so it may come as a surprise to learn that it actually has its roots in the military. Napoleon’s infantry and the Scottish Highland regiments both used pom-poms on their hats to differentiate between companies and today it is still possible to wear one without looking like a carol singer.
Avoid neon colors, patterns that are too festive and anything that has more than one small bobble.
What to Look for When Choosing the Right Beanie for Your Face
“A beanie is a great staple of your winter wardrobe,” says Sarah Gilfillan, stylist and founder of SartoriaLab, a London-based men’s styling service. “But before you head out to buy one, remember that small details can make the difference as to whether or not the style suits you.”
If you’re round or square of face, avoid designs that will make you look like Harry from Home Alone. “Choose a beanie without a turn-back cuff, with ribbing and a looser style that can add a bit of height to your face,” suggests Gilfillan. “Also, wear it slightly back off your face rather than pulling it down over your ears.”
A bobble hat is another good option for this, but steer clear of anything too ‘out there’. You don’t want to look like Kevin, either.
If your face is longer, a beanie may work well. “Opt for a turn-back cuff, which could even be in a contrasting color or have stripe detailing,” says Gilfillan. “Wear a tighter fitting style that sits snugly on your head to avoid adding any more height.”
The Best Beanies for Men
Corridor NYC
Crafted from the finest Peruvian materials and priced in a way that won’t make you shudder, Corridor NYC has some incredible beanies for men looking for something smart enough to complete the office getup and warm enough for the commute.
A blend of incredibly soft alpaca wool and warm merino Corridor has created a soft but structured beanie that has kept the wearer in mind – long enough to cover the ears but still flatter any head. The beanie comes in many colors to suit any outfit.
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Acne Studios
If the thought of spending over $100 on a woolly hat doesn’t make you shudder, Acne Studios is a good choice. Acne Studios is a Swedish brand that has long been known for its Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic, as well as the high quality of their materials.
You can expect these traits in abundance when it comes to the brand’s beanies, along with its instantly-recognizable straight-faced emoji detailing.
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Asket
You can always rely on Asket to deliver sleek basics, no matter what you’re looking for. Beanies, in their merino-wool version, are no exception.
The high-end, affordable brand is known to offer a mix of timeless and trendy products for every season. Beanies for men are not an exception.
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Norse Projects
Danish streetwear/casual-wear crossover label Norse Projects perfectly encapsulates everything there is to love about Scandinavian fashion. The brand’s seasonal collections consistently straddle the line between timeless and contemporary, and the men’s beanie is one of its staple pieces.
The classic turn-up hat and the fisherman hat have both featured heavily in
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Moncler
Granted, Moncler’s beanies for men aren’t exactly cheap, but bloody hell do they look good. Italian alpine sportswear brand Moncler has a reputation for being one of the coolest brands on the slopes. Its hats are among the best.
Woven from the finest wools and punctuated with the iconic Moncler tricolor branding and signature felt tab – if you’re looking for some headwear that screams ‘luxury’, this is it.
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Noah
Noah is the brand that can change your mind if you think streetwear is a little puerile. The brand is the brainchild of former Supreme creative director Brendon Babenzien and is probably best described as ‘streetwear for grown-ups’.
If you’re a bit apprehensive about wearing anything too heavily branded, or with graphics that are a bit too eye-catching, Noah’s clobber is a safe bet. The label has always had a few chunky beanies in its collection for men.
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Stussy
If it hadn’t been for Shawn Stussy’s eponymous California-based surf-wear label, would streetwear as we know it today even exist? Perhaps not.
Stussy, founded in 1980, is often credited as one of the brands who spearheaded this movement. Its logo is also one of the most recognized. Look no further for a beanie which has some serious street heritage.
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BAPE
A Bathing Ape (often abbreviated as BAPE and stylized in this way) is one the most popular streetwear labels. Nigo is the founder of A Bathing Ape, a Japanese fashion designer and DJ. His clothes are known for creating a lot of buzz.
BAPE is famous for its camo prints, striking graphics and iconic ape logo. Beanies for men are one of the brand’s key items and former head honcho Nigo can often be seen rocking one himself.
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Carhartt
You can’t think of workwear and not think of Carhartt. Carhartt has been around for over 100 years, and it has outfitted everyone from mud-covered farmers to cool European kids.
Expect rugged quality, good looks, and plenty of heritage appeal in these men’s beanies.
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ASOS
ASOS is an established retail giant in every area, including beanies for males. Online shop ASOS stocks a wide range of beanies under its own brand. However, the fisherman styles, which are perfect for workwear, are especially useful.
With a wide range of colors and prices that will leave you with change from a tenner, it’s hard to complain.
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Patagonia
Patagonia has the right products for you if your goal is to both save the earth and look stylish at the same. Patagonia, a Californian label with roots in outdoor activities and a strong environmental focus, is a great choice.
What’s more, it makes some quality beanies from hardy materials that are more than capable of taking whatever you or the weather decides to throw at it.
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Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters has a great selection of fashions at discounted prices. There are many hats available on the site. The Short Roll beanie will help you achieve a workwear style.
Featuring a ribbed texture, undersized fit, and turn up – these classic beanies for men are the perfect way to put a lid on your look.
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Canada Goose
Canada Goose’s outerwear is known to be built to last in the most extreme conditions. The company’s beanies for men may be a bit over budget for some, but if you want to stay toasty in sub-zero conditions, it’s well worth splurging the extra cash.
Canada Goose is synonymous with rugged construction, superior insulation from the cold and iconic branding.
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The North Face
The North Face is a Californian outdoor specialist that has equipped many polar expeditions. So you can fully trust this brand to keep you warm in winter when the cold bites outside of the Arctic Circle.
North Face gear not only looks good, but it also performs well. Even if your only adventure is to take the dog for a walk, a beanie by this legendary brand will be perfect.
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Woolrich
Woolrich is the original outerwear brand. Today, The North Face, Canada Goose and other brands outfit arctic explorers.
The Pennsylvania-based outerwear label kitted out Richard E. Byrd’s 1939 Antarctic expedition, as well as supplying clothing for the American Civil War. If you’re looking for warmth, quality, and heritage, you’ll not find any better beanies for men than these.
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Fjallraven
Fjallraven, a Swedish outdoors outfitter, is best known in the United States for its Kanken Rucksacks. But back home, and among outdoor enthusiasts all over the world, its outerwear line has a very high reputation.
You can find the best winter beanie for men here. They are designed to keep out the cold and have a Scandinavian flair.
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FAQs About Men’s Beanies
What do men look like wearing beanies?
Newton’s third law of headwear: for every nice hat, there is an equal and opposite crap hat. While beanies are great for men when worn properly, there are certain styles that every man should avoid. Here’s what to look out for when it comes to beanies for men.
What are the beanie styles that men should avoid?
1. The Baggy Beanie
As we have already mentioned, during the decade of the 2000s, everyone and their dog wore an oversized, slouchy hat. It was obvious that it wasn’t a good-looking look.
David Beckham was, as usual, instrumental in spreading this fad. The former England captain, who was always photographed wearing his baggy hat in airports around the world, left us all wondering what he was trying to smuggle.
2. Visor/Peaked Beanies
If a 13-year-old kid in an oversized Limp Bizkit T-shirt and baggy jeans thinks it’s ‘sick’, the rest of us should probably leave it well alone.
Unless you’re a badly rendered computer character called ‘Otto’ in a Nintendo 64 snowboarding game, this headwear nightmare is best given an extremely wide berth.
3. Novelty Beanies
You should really know by now that in the world of menswear, anything with the prefix ‘novelty’ should be avoided like the plague, and beanies are no exception.
You should never go back to a ski shop if you see a fleecy mohawk hat with blue fur. That’s just common sense.