The cold-weather headwear landscape is a notoriously tricky area to traverse. 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.
In a hurry? Check out these beanies to look your best this winter.
Our Pick
Corridor NYC Beanie
Made from blended Peruvian merino and alpaca wool this beanie is soft but still structured for a warm fit made to flatter any head.
Warmest
Timeless
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
Talk about an essential winter staple (with 20 color options). Carhartt beanies have been around for a long time, and they’re certainly not going anywhere.
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. It comes in a variety of colors to match any outfit you have in mind.
Acne Studios
If the thought of spending over $100 on a woolly hat doesn’t make you shudder, Acne Studios is a good choice. The Swedish label has a longstanding reputation for its typically Scandinavian, minimalist aesthetic and the superior quality of its 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.
Asket
You can always rely on Asket to deliver sleek basics, no matter what you’re looking for. Beanies are no different, and their merino wool version hits all the right spots.
The affordable, yet high-end brand is well-known for providing a mixture of both timeless and trend-led products for all seasons, and their beanies for men are no exception.
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.
Both the classic turn-up beanie and fisherman beanie have featured heavily in
Moncler
Granted, Moncler’s beanies for men aren’t exactly cheap, but bloody hell do they look good. The Italian alpine sportswear label has built a reputation as one of the coolest names on the slopes, and its hats are some of the finest around.
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.
Noah
If you find streetwear a bit puerile, Noah may well be the label to change your mind. 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 always has a few chunky knit beanies for men in its collections.
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 was founded back in 1980 and is often credited with being one of the brands that spearheaded the movement. As a result, its logo is one of the most recognizable. If you were after a beanie with some serious street heritage behind it, you need to look no further.
BAPE
A Bathing Ape (often abbreviated and stylized as BAPE) is one of the biggest labels on the streetwear scene. Its founder, Japanese DJ and fashion designer Nigo, is one of the most respected names in the game and his clothes have a reputation for stirring up immeasurable levels of hype.
BAPE is known for its bold camo prints and striking graphics, as well as its iconic ape head logo. Beanies for men are one of the brand’s key items and former head honcho Nigo can often be seen rocking one himself.
Carhartt
You can’t think of workwear and not think of Carhartt. The American label has been doing its thing for well over 100 years and has kitted out everyone from mud-covered farmworkers to European cool kids in the process.
Expect rugged quality, good looks, and plenty of heritage appeal in these men’s beanies.
ASOS
ASOS is a retail giant established in just about every space, and beanies for men are no exception. The online shop stocks a huge selection of own-brand beanies, but its fisherman styles are particularly handy, especially when it comes to the workwear look.
With a wide range of colors and prices that will leave you with change from a tenner, it’s hard to complain.
Patagonia
If you want to save the planet and look good at the same time, Patagonia will be right up your street. The California-based label has its roots in outdoor pursuits and prides itself on being environmentally sound.
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.
Urban Outfitters
For up-to-date fashion at bargain prices, Urban Outfitters is a solid choice. The site has a huge selection of hats to choose from, and when it comes to perfecting the workwear look, its Short Roll beanie is what to add to your basket.
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.
Canada Goose
When it comes to outerwear built specifically to stand up to the harshest of conditions, few are better known than Canada Goose. 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.
Think superior protection from the cold, rugged build quality and iconic Canada Goose badge branding.
The North Face
California-based outdoor specialist The North Face has kitted out many a polar expedition, so you can put your full trust in the brand when it comes to keeping your head warm when winter bites outside the Arctic Circle.
The bonus with North Face gear is that it looks great too. So, even if the only expedition you have planned is to walk the dog, a beanie from this legendary label will still be more than suitable.
Woolrich
Companies such as The North Face and Canada Goose may be the ones outfitting the arctic explorers of today, but back in the early years, Woolrich was the brand carrying the outerwear torch.
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.
Fjallraven
Swedish outdoors outfitter Fjallraven may be best known on these shores for its Kanken rucksacks, but back on its home turf and with outdoor enthusiasts the world over, its wider outerwear line is held in very high regard.
For technical winter beanies for men, guaranteed to keep the cold away and injected with a dose of Scandinavian styling, look no further.
Picking 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 you have a longer face, a beanie can work nicely. “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.”
FAQs About Beanies for Men
How should a man wear a beanie?
These failsafe winter hats belong in every guy’s wardrobe, but how exactly should men style beanies? There are several ways to do it, and here are a few of our favorites.
1. The 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 style is one of the most popular and versatile in existence and has been championed by hip-hop royalty, workmen, and everyone else in between.
As far as beanies for men go, this is the grandaddy.
2. The Fisherman Beanie
It may have become the hipsters’ cold-weather headgear of choice, but don’t let that put you off. Styled as part of a workwear-inspired look, the fisherman beanie really comes into its own.
This miniature woolly hat features a turn-up and sits on top of the head, ending just above the ear.
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.
Steer clear of neon colors, overly festive patterns and anything with more than one modestly-sized bobble.
Do beanies look good on men?
Newton’s third law of headwear: for every nice hat, there is an equal and opposite crap hat. And while beanies look great on men when worn correctly, there are some styles every guy should avoid. Here’s what to look out for when it comes to beanies for men.
Beanies for Men to Avoid
1. The Baggy Beanie
As mentioned earlier, for several years in the noughties, every man and his dog was wearing an oversized, slouchy beanie. Needless to say, it was not a good look.
David Beckham, as he often is, was instrumental in the spread of this fad. The former England captain was constantly getting papped wearing his baggy beanie in airports the world over, leaving us all asking the same question: just what exactly was he trying to smuggle through customs?
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.
If you stumble into a ski shop and spot a fleecy hat, decorated with a blue furry mohawk, turn swiftly around, walk out of the door and never return. That’s just common sense.
