What is a beanie? From its origins to design features, recommended items & coding examples all in one place.

Knit hats are the most popular accessory for both men and women during the fall and winter seasons. In this issue, we focus on the beanie, one of the most popular knit hats. We will explain the little-known history and definition of the item, and introduce recommended items and examples of how to wear them!

Bean-like detailing is the origin of the name!Beanie is a knit hat without a fold over design

The term “beanie” was coined in the United States in the early 1900s to describe a knit hat without a fold. At the time, it was called a “seamed cap” because it was made by sewing four to six felt panels together, but the top button at the top of these sewn panels resembled a bean, and so it came to be called a beanie. It was born as a warm-weather garment, but it also has a history of being useful for blue-collar workers to keep their hair in place in the 1950s.

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Around the 1990s, it became popular on the fashion scene, and a wide range of designs appeared, including those with woven patterns and patches. The visor beanie, which looks like a combination of a beanie and a baseball cap, is said to have been born around this time.

Photo: Shutterstock/Afro.

What is the difference between a watch cap and a woven cap?A knit hat with a folded back is a watch cap! Sometimes they are treated together in English-speaking countries.

The watch cap, which is often mentioned as a similar item, is different from the beanie because it has a folded back. This one was created as a working cap for the Navy under the name ” Watch Cap “. The type worn by the main character in the movie “LEON” is called an “Islamic watch cap” and is characterized by its short folded back. In English-speaking countries, the cap and beanie are sometimes lumped together, but in Japan they are basically treated as two different items.

‘ Film ‘LEON’ (1994) Photo: Collection Christophel/Afro.

Can it be worn during the spring and summer season?Wearable in cotton, linen or summer wool, depending on the material!

Since it was created as an item to keep the head warm, the original material was wool, but nowadays there are many beanies made of linen, cotton, and summer wool that can be used during the spring and summer seasons. Also, the weaving method can greatly affect the breathability and warmth of the beanie, so be sure to check when purchasing one.

Here are some recommended beanies!