Beanies are supposed to be practical. They blanket those ears, blocking out the wind and snow. So what’s the deal with all those tiny beanies you see everyone wearing? The trendy ones that sit above the ears and seem to serve no purpose at all, besides simply giving off Jacques Cousteau vibes.
It turns out they do.
Tiny beanies date back to the 1800s. Sometimes called “watch caps,” they have long been the go-to headwear of fishermen and Naval officers, who flip their beanies up when they hit the shore, where the wind isn’t as harsh (their way of letting off steam). And even if they don’t cover one’s ears, they still trap the heat given off by the head’s crown.
Below, a few picks to get the same look.
Best Overall Fisherman Beanie
HuckberryHeimat Deck Hat
Heimat is a brand founded in 2016 by ex-Ralph Lauren (specifically RRL) Merchandising Director, Christian Hofmann. His brand sells a host of Naval-inspired headwear and knits.
The Deck Hat is made from virgin wool in a “fisherman” size, meaning it folds up and sits above the ears. It comes in red (like Cousteau’s), as well as a bunch of other colors.
