How to Style a Beanie – Male | The Ultimate Guide for Men
Let’s face it—men sorely lack winter fashion options. While progress has been made in the apparel department, winter headwear is limited to flimsy berets and beanies. And berets don’t offer much in terms of protection from the cold, especially if you live in or plan to travel to particularly frosty parts of the country.
That leaves only beanies, which are often considered childish and not appropriate for formal wear. But there are ways on how to style a beanie male members of the population can use to make them look great.
1. Determine Which Beanie Type Fits You Best
There are several types of beanies, and each provides a unique look—and feel—that oozes a certain fashion style:
- Cuffed beanie: This is the bog-standard beanie you’ll probably be able to find in pretty much any headwear or sports store. A cuffed beanie covers the ears.
- Fisherman beanie: While still usually a cuffed beanie, fisherman beanies are shorter and are worn above the ear. They’re also typically ribbed.
- Skullcap: This beanie doesn’t have a cuff, but its length can vary.
- Bobble hat (pom-pom): With a tuft at the top, bobble hats are usually more cheerful and create an elongated look.
- Baggy beanie (slouchy): Baggy beanies are the opposite of skullcaps, with plenty of leftover material at the top. You may look like Santa.
- Novelty beanies: Pretty much cover everything else.
In general, you’ll need to figure out which beanie fits your head shape. If your face is rounder, a fisherman beanie or a short skullcap will typically look comical. However, a cuffed ribbed beanie or a bobble hat can elongate your face or create a more natural point, respectively.
Baggy beanies are considered a faux pas in modern men’s fashion, with most critics considering them best left out in the 2000s when they were first popularized. But a slouchy can work well if you have longer or curlier hair, especially if you choose subdued colors.
Novelty beanies cover a wide assortment of styles, from company logos to additional materials that go around or on top of the beanie, including masterpieces such as the visor beanie. They aren’t particularly fashion-friendly, but if you’ve found a look you really like, rock it regardless of the stares you might get.
2. Select Your Materials
Apart from the style of the beanie, its materials play a pivotal role in how it looks and feels to outsiders.
A traditional wool beanie is relatively heavy and thick, wearing down the look with its weight. It can also be too warm for comfort, which can create its own problems.
On the other end of the spectrum, a polyester beanie might be too casual.
If you have the budget for some stylish headwear, opt for merino wool or cashmere blends. They create a unique texture that pairs well with more common modern coats and sweaters. At the same time, they’re warm yet breathable and provide just the right amount of comfort.
3. Use Simple Colors and Patterns
As winter apparel is primarily aimed to protect rather than serve as fashion, beanies can come in a wide assortment of colors and patterns. Some are too flashy to be considered candidates for a serious styling combination.
As a rule of thumb, use a beanie with one main color and possibly a minor pattern of a secondary color to give it some whimsy.
The color you choose should depend on your outerwear. Match the beanie’s primary color with your jacket, sweater, or pants. This creates a unified look and lets the rest of your winter gear take charge as focus points. It will also prevent other people from getting distracted by a goofy hat when talking to you.
If you want to cull your wardrobe down to the bare essentials, there are four main colors you should choose: black, grey, orange, and brown.
The first two options are neutral enough to work with pretty much every garment and style. The latter two are fall colors that are also relatively common in winter clothing to make it livelier.
4. Use the Rest of Your Garment as Guidance
As mentioned, a beanie usually plays second fiddle to the rest of your clothes. If worn specifically for head protection, most bets are off and the style won’t matter as much so long as you keep warm.
However, your clothing style will influence the type of beanie you choose:
- Workwear – A fisherman beanie is traditional worker’s headwear, so you can’t go wrong with a neutral beanie to pair with an overshirt and boots.
- Smart casual – If you decide to wear a sweater, choose the same material and texture for your beanie.
- Casual – a beanie naturally lends itself to casualwear, so contrast it with your hoodie or jacket to make things a bit more interesting.
- Heavy winter clothes – use the designs on your knitwear as guides for possible deviations from the “one color works best” rule.
5. Customize Your Beanie
If you’re set on straying from the norm, a novelty beanie can be a bold yet powerful choice.
But you don’t have to go so far as to pick a beanie with a wooly mohawk on top, although that would certainly make heads turn. Stylizing your beanie with colorful designs, embroidery, or patches will make it a bit more memorable.
If you want to truly know how to style a beanie male, there’s no better way to customize a beanie than Custom Beanies Now. Here’s why:
- A simple online ordering system.
- Vast material and texture options.
- Custom embroidery and patch designs.
- Bulk purchases available for merchandising.
You can go to Custom Beanies Now and get a new beanie ordered in a few minutes, and it will arrive at your doorstep within a few days.
