When the weather is chilly, it’s hard to find a better hat style than a beanie to keep your head and ears warm. But a beanie hat can have a reputation as being for a “younger look”. So, how to wear a beanie over 40?
Below, you’ll find all the tips you need on how to style a beanie, as well as some of the best beanies to find in stores now.
What is a beanie?
First of all, what exactly is a beanie? What sets this style apart from other hats you could choose?
Well, quite simply, a beanie is a soft, head-hugging hat designed to keep you warm in cooler weather.
It’s thought they got their name because “bean” was slang for head in days gone by. Originally worn by fishermen and manual workers to stay cozy, the humble beanie has now become something of a fashion statement; worn by everyone from Gwen Stefani to Beyonce.
So, what should you consider when choosing a beanie to suit you?
Think about your face shape when choosing your beanie
As with all hats, you should consider your face shape when you choose your beanie.
If you have a square or round face, for example, don’t choose a cuffed style which can add extra width to your face. Instead, choose a ribbed beanie to add some height.
Of course, the opposite is true. If you have a longer face, you might want a cuff so you create width rather than extra length.
Melissa (above) opts for a cuffed style and pulls it low over her forehead.
Check out this similar beanie, sweater, coat, jeans, sneakers and shoulder bag.
You may also want to take a look at how to choose a hat for your face shape.
Beanie styles
Before we look at how to style your beanie, let’s take a look at some of the main beanie styles you could choose.
Ribbed beanie
A ribbed beanie features ribbed knitting and can be found in either cuffed or cuffless styles.
You can wear your beanie pulled up to give it a little height.
Get the look: beanie, pullover hoodie, coat, jeans, boots and handbag.
Slouchy beanie
A slouchy beanie is exactly what it sounds like – a beanie with extra material so you can wear it ruched at the back. Pull it on over your head and ears, and then push back until you have the slouchy effect you desire.
cuffed beanie
Some beanies are uncuffed and some essentially fold back over themselves to create a cuff at the bottom. Cuffed beanies can be particularly useful for staying warm as the extra material will keep your ears cozy.
Lynne (above) chooses a gray cuffed beanie with a pompom, which matches the other tonal elements of her outfit.
Check out this similar beanie, shirt, cardigan, jeans and booties.
Kate Spade New York spade patch beanie
Soft and simple
You could opt for a very simple beanie shape which has no cuffs or embellishments in its styling. To add interest to the simple shape, you could think about adding a pattern.
Beanie with a pom pom
Beanies don’t have to be simply a piece of wool. You can choose a beanie with adornments. A pom pom will add height as well as playfulness to your look.
Nagore (above) opts for a classic cream pom pom beanie to match her navy and cream outfit.
Recreate her outfit with this similar beanie, sweater, jeans, boots, crossbody bag and sunglasses.
Fisherman beanie / short beanie
If you don’t like the idea of too much extra material, then a shorter beanie could be for you. These are easy to style – you simple pull them down as far as they go.
Kerri (above) chooses a shorter black style to match her coat.
Get her look with this similar beanie, dress, coat and boots.
Cashmere beanie
A beanie often has a reputation as a hat for an edgier or younger look. But you can add an extra element of sophistication, and softness, by choosing cashmere.
Martina (above) wears a soft, neutral beanie which matches the other shades of her outfit.
Check out this similar beanie, sweater, jacket, wide leg pants, boots and crossbody bag.
Cable knit beanie
A cable knit beanie is chunkier than other styles and can add additional warmth and texture.
Mejacal (above) wears a red cable knit beanie which perfectly picks up the red stripe around the neckline of her sweater.
Steal her look with this similar beanie, sweater, coat, pants, boots and sunglasses.
Parisian beanie
A Parisian beanie is sort of a cross between a beret and a beanie. It has a little bit of a slouch to it and is usually crocheted.
BYOS Parisian style knit beret beanie
How to wear a beanie
Now that you’re thinking about your beanie style preference, let’s take a look at how you could wear it.
Worn low over your forehead
Just as with your clothing, you can use your hats to disguise what you feel self conscious about and to highlight your assets.
If you have a longer face and want to create more balance, you can wear your beanie down low over your forehead. This way of wearing a beanie creates extra width across your face, so you may want to avoid pulling your beanie so low if you have a particularly round or square face.
Erica (above) wears her beanie pulled down low and matches it to her scarf.
Check out this similar beanie, coat, sneakers, scarf and crossbody bag.
How to wear a beanie – With a slight slouch
This is a good middle ground way of wearing your beanie. Pull to the middle of your forehead and leave a little bit of a slouch.
You could match your beanie to your coat like Abi (above)
Steal her look with this similar slouch beanie, sweater, coat, jeans, sneakers and crossbody bag.
With a pom pom
Wear with a pom pom and push your beanie back, leaving a little bit of your fringe.
You could perfectly match your beanie to your coat (and your cup), as shown by Adriana (above).
Recreate her outfit with this similar pom beanie, coat and scarf.
Worn with some height
Another way to wear your beanie is to choose a hat with a little extra material and wear it with some height.
Samantha (above) chooses a white beanie to perfectly contrast with her hair.
Check out this similar beanie, printed top, coat, jeans, sneakers, crossbody bag and leather gloves.
how to wear a beanie – Add a pop of color
Your beanie can be the perfect way to add some color to an otherwise monochrome or neutral outfit.
Terra (above) adds bright orange to her black and denim outfit.
Steal her look with this similar beanie, tee, coat, jeans, booties, crossbody bag and sunglasses.
Embellished
You don’t have to choose a “plain” beanie. You could choose a hat with some embellishment at the front. If you don’t have an embellished beanie, you could add a brooch to the front of your hat.
Nadine (above) wears a hat with a large snowflake embellishment which is perfect for winter.
Check out this embellished beanie that you can wear with this similar puffer jacket, jeans, boots, scarf, crossbody bag, sunglasses and printed gloves.
Pulled to a point
A modern way to wear your beanie is to choose a hat with a bit of weight to the fabric and to pull it up rather than leaving a slouch.
Vianei (above) wears her red beanie with her neutral outfit.
Recreate her outfit with this similar beanie, hoodie, vest and pants.
wearing a beanie: Pulled down with sunglasses
Even if it’s cold outside, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to protect your eyes from the glare of the winter sun. Wear your beanie pulled down over your forehead with your sunglasses.
Jona (above) chooses a beanie with a large pom pom and accessorizes with on-trend round sunglasses.
Check out this similar beanie, cardigan, coat, tall boots, sunglasses, leather gloves and a Gucci handbag.
Pulled back off your forehead
If you don’t want to cover up your face, then you can wear your beanie totally pulled off your forehead, so it sits slightly above your hairline.
Ariane (above) shows how to achieve this style, leaving her hair loose at the front of her beanie.
Steal her look with this similar beanie, sweater, jacket, pants, long necklace and sunglasses.
Worn with other trends
A beanie adds a touch of youthful playfulness. But don’t be afraid to play around with the rest of your outfit too.
Irena (above) also wears an on-trend teddy bear style coat.
Recreate her outfit with this similar beanie, printed hoodie, coat and jeans.
With your fringe peaking out
Whether you have long hair or short, you can wear your beanie like this. Pull up over your forehead and pull out your bangs.
Anna (above) still shows off her blunt cut fringe even though she is wearing a hat.
Get her look with this similar beanie, coat, jeans, sneakers and bag.
how to wear a beanie For a weekend walk
Add your puffer jacked and wellingtons and you’ll be winter ready for a weekend walk.
Victoria (above) looks stylish and comfortable in her cream beanie and green jacket and wellingtons.
Check out this similar pom beanie, jacket, jeans and boots.
Continue reading:
- How To Look Fashionable In Winter – Which Of These 11 Ways Do You Use?
- How To Choose A Hat For Your Face Shape
- How To Wear A Hat – The Ultimate Guide
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Feature image by Erica
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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Your website is EXTREMELY helpful. Extremely. Looking at all of the attractive older women on this website, I see that truly there is no need for an older woman to “give up” as many of us do (As I have. I will have a very long way to “climb back.”) Thank you! And please provide even more examples of “women with curves” who are stylish and attractive!