The Beanie Reigns as Men’s Favorite Winter Accessory
As long-standing divides between menswear and womenswear crumble, male shoppers have adopted an interest in bold accessories like colorful sunglasses and statement jewelry. According to L’OFFICIEL’s recent Fall/Winter 2020 men’s global shopping survey, however, all is not lost in terms of classic, simple staples. Among the favored styles that participants voted for, Saint Laurent's black beanie ranks in the top 20 styles across the globe, proving that men still value no-fuss outfit add-ons that age well and will never go out of style.
The survey also reveals that Italian shoppers are looking for hats over any other accessory this season, and most often search for classic styles in neutral colors, like black and dark blue, or neutral patterns like plaid. Likewise, 70 percent of American men prefer neutral-toned hats over brightly colored ones.
For Fall/Winter 2020, luxury brands like Fendi and Louis Vuitton sent timeless solid-colored beanies down the runway. In Milan, Fendi models topped tailored gray suits with black beanies devoid of a brand logo, and in Paris, Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton man accented a monochrome navy look with a knitted beanie of the same color. These basics also complemented more vibrant accessories on the runways, like yellow handbags at Fendi and hot pink fingerless gloves at Louis Vuitton as men play with more statement accessories, too.
The coexistence of the unique and the classic on runways—and the demonstrated male interest in both—indicates a streamlined direction for men’s fashion. As menswear hammers ahead on a steady path towards experimentation, it carries its easy and simple staples with it.
