Steer clear of neon colors, overly festive patterns and anything with more than one modestly-sized bobble.

How To Choose 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 Men’s Beanies

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.

What beanie styles should men 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?