The (Right Way) to Wear a Beanie

There’s a fine line to walk where beanies are concerned. Wear them too slouchy, and you will look like you’re hiding something in the excess. Wear them with too much black, and you will look like a burglar. Wear them too low on your face, and you will look like a schoolboy getting ready for a snowball fight. Worn correctly, however, a beanie can make a strong style statement. You just need to make sure that you consider a few things before adding one to your ensemble.

There are a few different types of beanies that you can choose from, depending on your style and mood. Here’s a quick run-down:

“The Traditionalist”: The cuffed beanie is considered the most traditional style of beanie. The beanie is knit, covers the ears slightly for warmth, and has a turned-up cuff. You may not think it, but the cuffed beanie is a pretty versatile accessory. If you want to appear sophisticated but casual, pair a neutral-toned (think navy, black, tan, or brown) cuffed beanie with a dark turtleneck sweater, slacks, and a tasteful, patterned scarf. If you’re looking for a more rugged theme, mix thick flannel, well-worn jeans, work boots, and a cuffed beanie.

“The Seaman”: Fisherman style beanies are a smaller version of the cuffed beanie that don’t cover the ears. At first glance, they may appear to be a beanie that was shrunk in the dryer, but this style actually came out of necessity.

Fishermen would fold up their cuffed beanies even more, so they wouldn’t cover their ears. That way, they could hear the commands of the captain and instructions from fellow fishermen. These caps are good for lazy, cool, but not freezing days. You can also get a custom beanie and pair one with rugged clothes or a thick, cabled sweater, to give off that outdoorsman vibe.

“The Functionalist”: Lined or cold weather beanies have extra thick wool or ribbing and are sometimes lined with fleece or flannel. Though these beanies are specifically made to keep your head extra warm, they can still be fashionable when worn with a fur-hooded coat and flannel scarf.

When you’re trying to decide what kind of beanie to choose, there are a few more things to consider:

• Your face shape: If your face is especially round or square-shaped, and you don’t want to look like a thug, just pull your beanie back a little bit on your head. That will give the illusion of length, which will help even out your features. If you already have a long face, offset it with a beanie that has a pop of color or pattern on the brim.

• Add some texture: Try to stay away from matching your beanie to the rest of your clothing. If you’re feeling a little monochromatic, add a patterned scarf or cabled sweater to your ensemble.

• Go neutral: Try not to overload your look by having different branding on each article of clothing. If your shirt or pants are flashy, choose a neutral beanie for a balanced look.

Lastly, no matter how cool they seemed in the ‘90s and early 2000s, for heaven’s sake, stay away from the following beanies:

• Novelty beanies (ex: Yoda ears knit into the side of the beanie).

• Extra slouchy beanies. (Is your head shaped that way or are you hiding something in there?)

• Visored beanies. (The visor isn’t even big enough to offer any protection from the sun.)

Yes, a beanie may have been the hat that your mom made you don to warm your ears in childhood, but it can take on a new kind of cool when worn stylishly in adulthood. The main thing is to take care of your beanie and wear it with confidence. Own your beanie, and others will respect your look.

Infographic

Do you feel cold, or do you just want to appear cool with fashion? Putting on a beanie would be a great accessory. Aside from making you warm, it also helps you appear with a modernized fashion sense. Do you have a beanie with you? Check this infographic that gives ways on how to wear a beanie. You may also want to read this article if you want to wear a beanie and preserve your hairdo.