Beanie Hats Information
The term beanie hat actually refers to both an archaic and a modern style of hat. In the first half of the 20th century, the beanie hat would have referred to a wool felt cap, without a brim, typically worn by school boys and sometimes characterized by a visor at the front. Since the 1990s, the beanie hat has enjoyed a resurgence in its popularity, becoming a popular accessory for skaters and snowboarders. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The beanie hat originated in the 1920s and was popular with school boys up until around the 1940s, as noted by the Urban Excess website. It’s thought that the "beanie" moniker for this type of hat came about as a result of the slang word "bean," which back in the 1920s, was used to refer to an individual’s head.
In those days, the beanie was simply an effective way of keeping the head warm. However, since the beginning of the 1990s, the beanie hat has been adopted by the grunge movement—typically fans of angst-ridden bands such as Nirvana—and subsequently became utilized by fans of extreme sports, thanks to the association of such sports, such as skateboarding, with grunge, but also because snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiasts like to keep warm on the slopes.
Materials Used
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The modern beanie hat tends to be made of fleece or synthetic material as opposed to the traditional wool, according to the Urban Excess website. However, as noted by the Equip website, the beanie hat can also be put together from other materials, including jersey and acrylic, while wool is still used by some brands and in some beanie styles.
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Fitted Beanie Styles
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As well as the more traditional fitted beanie hat, other styles emerged toward the end of the 20th century. These include the so-called skull beanie, which rests over the wearer’s ears and fits around the face, as noted by the Equip website. Often these skull beanies reflect the extreme lifestyles enjoyed by those who wear them in the colors and patterns employed, which might include exciting textures and, sometimes, literal skull shapes woven into the hat material.
Some beanies are especially designed as winter hats for men, made with warmth as a top priority; these beanie hats tend to closely resemble tobogganing hats, as noted by the Urban Excess website.
Brands
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Popular designer fashion brands such as Armani have joined in on the beanie craze, manufacturing their own versions of beanie hats. Other major beanie brands include sports brands such as Lacrosse and Quicksilver.
Peruvian Beanies
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A particular variant on the beanie which has gained mainstream acceptance is the Peruvian beanie—otherwise known as Chullos. These hats feature ear flaps which dangle from both sides of the head, providing warmth in chilly weather. Often, these hats are decorated in complex patterns which recall their South American heritage.
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References
- Photo Credit joe cool in the hot summer image by tomcat2170 from Fotolia.com
